First Listen: New Maroon 5 CD Sticks to the Tried and True

It's been five years since Maroon 5 burst into the national consciousness with their multiplatinum disc "Songs About Jane." Now the band that women love and critics love to hate is back with the May 22 release of their second studio CD, "It Won't Be Soon Before Long."

Old fans will find much to love on "Soon," and while the band attempts to stretch its musical wings --including incorporating rock and dance elements into their signature sound-- without alienating their core fans, they don't do much to secure any new fans.

"Makes Me Wonder," the first single, is making an impact at Top 40 (it jumped from number 65 to number one on Billboard's Hot 100 Chart this week) and Hot AC radio and doesn't stray far from the predictable formula that made songs like "Harder to Breathe" and "This Love" radio hits. The rest of the set also sticks closely with the 80's pop and 70's R & B tinged sound that it Maroon 5's trademark.

The CD starts off strong with "If I Never See Your Face Again," a funk infused kiss-off song that merges seamlessly with "Makes Me Wonder." "Wake-Up Call," another up tempo number, is rumored to be the second single and the trio of opening tracks makes for a strong reintroduction to a ban that has been missing for two years.

"Won't Go Home Without You," relies less on a heavy bass line and more on front man Adam Levine's soaring vocals, as does "Goodnight, Goodnight," and "Back at Your Door." While the uptempo numbers get radio attention, it is the ballads and slower numbers that have proven to have staying power at AC radio, and these songs will help firmly establish Maroon 5 as a format favorite.

"Can't Stop" is surprisingly aggressive rock and Levine's vocals are convincing without losing their characteristic smoothness. If any song on the CD brings new fans into the Maroon 5 fold, it will be this one. The transition between "Can't Stop" and "Goodnight, Goodnight" is somewhat jarring given the completely different sounds. Better track sequencing would benefit the songs that depart from standard Maroon 5 efforts.