Maroon 5 It Won't Be Soon Before Long Review

College rock: A huge mainstay of US music scene and yet a concept that bewilders most of the UK, almost to the point of being an insult. Whereas we have indie guitar attitude and oodles of that unknown quantity; ’cool’, the yanks get slightly funky, hooky fun that wears its three quarter-length trousers with pride.

The key word here is funk. Maroon 5 have taken 5 years capitalising on their debut, Songs About Jane, and also keeping a close weather eye on what makes middle American youth shake their collective booty. And the kids want R ’n’ B. It Won’t be Soon Before Long gives it to you in spades. Well done guys, this is one smart move.

It Won’t… merges equal amounts of Counting Crows, Justin Timberlake and Outkast. It’s an amalgamation that’s taut, immediate, catchy and downright, good, clean fun. At times it approaches the condition of blue-eyed soul, though it’s possibly more Black Cherry than Hall and Oates.

This is no exercise in clever post-modernism. It’s a strong attempt to show you that the boys are back and ready to paaaaarty. What the lyrics lack in depth or insight the songs make up for in sheer dance- and hummability. “If I Never Have To See Your Face Again” and ”Makes Me Wonder” are monster weapons of mass-marketing aimed at the feet and riding on swathes of string-drenched, synth-crunching disco.

There’s a slight dip halfway through with “Won’t Go Home Without You” lounging in the plodding neighbourhood of Crowded House’s worst moments and “Nothing Lasts Forever” reminding one very strongly of about six other classics. But suddenly “Can’t Stop” shoves its way back into the room and it’s party time again. Phew…

Maybe we’re too cynical and cool about this kind of stuff. Noel Gallagher may have refused to tour with these lads, but on the strength of this, they’ll be laughing all the way to the bank while he ponders on why he failed to crack America.