CD Review: Can't Stop Won't Stop by The Maine

Track Listing:

1. Everything I Ask For (2:37)

2. We All Roll Along (3:49)

3. Girls Do What They Want (3:13)

4. I Must Be Dreaming (2:46)

5. Into Your Arms (3:59)

6. Time to Go (2:55)

7. This is the End (2:54)

8. Whoever She Is (3:41)

9. Count ‘Em One, Two, Three (2:48)

10. Kiss and Sell (3:07)

11. You Left Me (3:29)

12. We’ll All Be… (5:29)

In their first full-length album, The Maine, a quintet from Arizona, truly gives the listener “everything they ask for.” From start to finish, the twelve-song album carries catchy lyrics surrounded by fun instrumentals. On the opening track, “Everything I Ask For,” the band establishes their catchy rhythms. Front man John O’Callaghan’s vocals drag the listener into the album as backup vocalist and guitarist Kennedy Brock makes the song an enjoyable tune. “We All Roll Along” shows signs of well-developed guitar riffs and bridges as it differs a little from the melody of the opening track. The next song, “Girls Do What They Want,” focuses strongly on catchy and steady beats, very similar to the structure of “Everything I Ask For.” Fourth, “I Must Be Dreaming” relates most closely to “We All Roll Along,” in which the quintet expands on their understanding of musical balance, as each instrument is favored at one point or another in the song. “Into Your Arms,” the single released from The Maine, is the most impactful song on the album. O’Callaghan’s vocal range is exemplified by the song, which is a deep, powerful song including a strong piano piece in addition to the guitars, bass, and drums. The following two songs, “Time to Go” and “This is the End” have their slow parts and their fast parts, and guide the listener through the middle of the album without losing attention. Eighth, “Whoever She Is” displays the band’s versatility. This is an acoustic piece that adds depth to their album, showing within the catchy, upbeat rhythms that they can produce a well-sustained slow song. “Count ‘Em One, Two, Three” and “Kiss and Sell” go back to the band’s creativity in catchiness, generally resulting in the listener tapping his or her foot to the beat. The most odd, piece on the album, “You Left Me” is definitely worth a listen. Its synthetic sound is a fun listen and can be a fun sing-a-long. “We’ll All Be,” by far the longest track on the album, lets the listener go with a sense of closeness to the band. The last 30 seconds are non-instrumental, with the entire band singing a unified chorus and some talking and clapping in the background. It lets one’s mind slip away with the band as they end a phenomenally composed album.

Lyrically, The Maine addresses several general themes throughout the album. A most common topic is the wide-ranging relationships between girls and boys. Lust, love and loss are all addressed in a catchy fashion. Tracks 1, 3, 9, 10, and 11 have strong backup vocals, which tends to cause the listener to sing along, consciously or subconsciously. While most of their lyrics discuss the sexual or lustful side of relationships, songs such as “Into Your Arms,” “I Must Be Dreaming,” and “Whoever She Is” imply deep feelings of lost love or desire to obtain and maintain the level that one feels with that special someone. The Maine balances the two sides to the relationship well lyrically throughout the album.

Overall, Can’t Stop Won’t Stop is an extremely enjoyable album that has the listener either singing along passionately or listening with close intent to hear what The Maine have to present next. The combination of catchy lyrics and steady, danceable beats have skyrocketed The Maine onto the mainstream front stage. Every young listener should give this album a try, especially if they want to have a reason to sing loudly and dance the night away. Heck, even adults should give it a try; it would remind them of the innocence of youth and recollect great memories of partying it as a carefree youngster.