Whoops! It’s been a while since we’ve done a new feature. Lucky for you guys that the newest feature is about one of Blake’s favorite bands ever – Maroon 5. And that YouTube has a wealth of interesting videos on this band.
Maroon 5 is a “rock” band (I’d say pop but I-tunes suggests otherwise) from California. It currently consists of 5 members: Adam Levine (vocals and guitar), James Valentine (guitar), Jesse Carmichael (keyboard), Mickey Madden (bass guitar), and Matt Flynn (drums).
Originally, the band was called Kara’s Flowers. Four of the original members of Maroon 5 were part of that grunge band; Ryan Dusick was one of these members. He is Blake’s friend from way back and the one who was able to assist Blake in getting clearance for Maroon 5 songs. While in Kara’s Flowers, Levine sang in a deeper voice to convey grunge tone (Hard to imagine? For me, too.). They were signed and had modest success. Here is a clip of Kara’s Flowers on Beverly Hills, 90210 (most awesome show ever) from way back.
Kara’s Flowers broke up so everyone could attend college. After learning about different styles of music, the members reunited to form Maroon 5 and took on a funkier, jazzier, more soulful sound. The band signed with an independent record label in New York, with distribution through BMG (sort of like Elliott Yamin) and an artist development deal with Clive Davis’ J Records.
The band recorded Songs About Jane, their debut album, with record producer Matt Wallace, who had also produced for Train, Blues Traveler, and Third Eye Blind. Most of the material on the album was inspired by Levine’s relationship with his ex-girlfriend, Jane. The CD had the hit singles, Harder to Breathe, This Love, She Will Be Loved, and Sunday Morning. Maroon 5 was constantly on tour after releasing their album in mid-2002. They toured with Michelle Branch, Vanessa Carlton, Graham Colton, John Mayer, The Rolling Stones, Gavin DeGraw, Matchbox Twenty, Jason Mraz, and, Marc Broussard. Over the years of touring with the band, Ryan Dusick incurred a wrist injury. He officially left Maroon 5 in September 2006, but on friendly terms. They did an awesome cover of NIN’s “Closer” which I cannot find a good video of. But try to find it - it’s weird and surreal.
Here is a video of Maroon 5 and Rob Thomas singing Harder to Breathe together.
Maroon 5 took a lot of flak for their heavily sexual videos and the misogynistic undertones of their songs. However, any press in the music industry is good press; the controversial videos and lyrics helped bolster Maroon 5’s success. Maroon 5 even won the coveted Best New Artist Grammy. Below is one of the sexual videos in question.
After a brief break, Maroon 5 released their second album, It Won’t Be Over Before Long, this year. They have achieved much success from their first single, Makes Me Wonder. In the first week of May, the single skyrocketed from the position of 64 to #1, the biggest jump in Billboard history.
Due to their success, Maroon 5 (and mainly Adam Levine) has been able to collaborate with many artists in many capacities. This includes…
Kanye West – Heard Em’ Say
Alicia Keys – Wild Horses
Justin Timberlake – This Love
John Mayer – This Love (Maroon 5 really likes to collaborate on this song!)
Here’s some B-shorty for extra measure.
Great article on Maroon 5 you did a good good and it was very informative…..
Great article! Thanks for the treat!
I’m going to hunt down their version of “Closer.” Fabulous job! Thanks!
I adore Maroon 5. Blake’s voice reminds me of Adam Levine. That is one of the many reasons I adore him as well.
BTW, Maroon 5’s new album is called It Won’t Be Soon Before Long. (Forgive me, my inner editor snuck out.)
Also, I’m not sure if Blake himself had anything to do with this http://blakelewis.com/ but it cracked me up and is yet another reason to love Blake Lewis.
haha Sherry! I love him more every day and I didn’t think it was possible.
I don’t think that’s actually belongs to Blake. I checked the doman registrant and that domain is registered to some guy in Great Britain who runs an estate agency.
Thanks for a great article on Maroon 5!
They are also one of my favorite bands and yes, Blake’s voice reminds of Adam Levine too. His cover of This Love was the bomb.
I love M5’s new album. Great music.It’s very very good. I like almost all the songs.
Anyways, I remember I heard Blake mention once that he talked with the guys about opening for them while on tour. Can you imagine? IT would also be great exposure for sure.
Blake and MAroon 5 all together in one concert. Awesome! I hope this materializes next year.
AH! M5! Seeing them in October, I’m beyond stoked. My love for them grows every day.
Great article of Maroon 5! i love their music and their new cd rocks!!
I love Maroon 5!!! Blake sorta does remind me of Adam. So Blake can rock Maroon 5!!!
I think Blake has a better voice than Adam. At least it is more pleasing to my ears.
I agree pj. I do think Blake has a better range than Adam. I also like his tone better.
Anyways, they both rock!
I agree with both PJ and maracaibo I love Maroon 5, but Blake just has the “IT” factor in the tone of his voice that Adam doesn’t have.
Blake has a better body, too. *blush* I look at Adam and feel like if, perhaps…I ever ended up in a precarious position with him, he’d break in half. Just sayin’…and wishful thinkin’, on the Blake part…;-)
Ok - I know I’m a super Blake fan but seriously I think he sings This Love better than Adam Levine and Justin Timberlake. The people with those comments on youtube that B sucks really tick me off!! I honestly prefer Blake’s voice to Adam’s. Also he looks so much better. Adam is way too skinny for my taste.
ld:
Dn’t you arorry. There are many other This LOve Blake videos ON YOU TUBE were the comments are very flattering. People love him and his voice!
Check these ones out:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vRbsKV7mTVk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dt7RConmPwo
Thx maracaibo - you made me feel better :)
Anybody else notice Blake’s DING! sound effect…much like our amazing (ding!) sound effect?
Yay LB!!!
So many of my favorite things in one post! I flove Maroon 5; I’ve been listening to their new CD pretty much nonstop all summer. I’m such a slut…I love Adam, I love JT, I love John Mayer, I sorta dig Rob Thomas. I loved seeing those guys perform together! Justin sounded pretty good on “This Love” from what I could tell…the audio wasn’t that great, but I liked it!
The clip of Kara’s Flowers on 90210 was fun! I never knew they were on that show. Adam had a John Mayer thing going on in that vid, lookswise. Also, the song they were performing reminds me of Weezer.
OT, but I thought some might want to check out Sligh’s blog to hear about his tour experience so far. According to him, it’s quite humbling.
Laura,
Thank you for that link. I’ve always had a soft spot in my heart for Sligh and reading that blog reaffirms why.
I couldn’t understand some parts of this article n 5! at Team Plaid, but I guess I just need to check some more resources regarding this, because it sounds interesting.
I have to say, that I could not agree with you in 100% regarding n 5! at Team Plaid, but it’s just my opinion, which could be wrong :)