American Candy by The Maine Track by Track
Tags: 8123, The Maine, Album Review

Release Date: March 31, 2015

Overall Rate: 4.5/5

It’s bitter, it’s sweet, and it’ll leave you hungry for more. The Maine’s fifth album “American Candy” is equal parts bouncy and carefree as it is dark. The Arizona based band manages to keep the sweet feeling good, while remembering the bitter.

“Miles Away” is a perfect opener for the record. The elements of the song stack up, with only guitar, followed by drums, vocals and bass, along with the second guitar. It’s catchy. It’s not too deep in meaning, just about a trip with your friends and reminiscing about the good times. “I feel so alive” repeats vocalist John O’Callaghan; a different direction considering the overall vibe of the band’s prior effort, Forever Halloween, which was released in 2013..

“Same Suit, Different Tie” addresses American youth culture in a subtle way. The pressure of looking beautiful and expensive that we seem to deal with. “You don’t need high prices designs to feel dressed up to the nines.” It’s not about money and the looks. The song is incredibly bouncy, and dance worthy. It’s a great one to hear live.

“My Hair” tells a story. It could be about living life in the present because you don’t know how long you’ll be able to live the way you are. It could be about old habits becoming too out of control. It could be about John O’Callaghan’s hair that he had let grow out relatively long prior to the recording of “American Candy”. The song is laced with smooth and slow guitar licks and a light as air bridge that launches you back into the laid back chorus. It’s a perfect road trip song, but I think most of the album is good for that.

“English Girls” is a party song. It introduces the analysis of American culture in a much more upfront manner, as well as gender roles. “The girls are crying on the corner because the boys all left.” According to the protagonists of the fourth track, English girls are only into sex and so are American boys. Once again, it’s dance worthy. It’s the song that might make your parent’s blush if you see The Maine in concert with them. It’s catchy. It’s a pop song at its core, but it’s a damn good one.

“24 Floors” fades in. The tone of the album is changing and you can feel it. The song is what “Misery” is to Pioneer, and “Fucked Up Kids” is to Forever Halloween. The song features John’s heartbreaking voice. He knows you’re struggling. He’s been there. He wants you to get help. He’s begging and pleading and you listen. “Every moment’s relevant, bittersweet, and delicate. Tomorrow may not come again.” Musically, the drums are quieter, guitars are softer, and the bass is spread out. The song is heart wrenching and painful to listen to if you’ve been on the 24th floor, wanting to jump. It’s gruesome, but it’s needed. It’s vital.

Luckily, “Diet Soda Society” is there to boost you back up. The acoustic riff that opens the song is so simple, but so perfect. The drums enter again and send you back to a better place. “To be honest, I am full of shit”, John confesses, earning a laugh upon first listen. It’s analytical while keeping in tune with the more fun and carefree side of the band. The three minutes go by incredibly fast with this one. It states the facts. It’s catchy and fun. It wasn’t released as a single (Only “English Girls” was), but it should have. It’s a perfect summary of this album.

“Am I Pretty?” is solid. John’s accusatory vocals at the start set up a song about self love and realizing that yes, you are pretty. It’s the mind of everyone: Do people like me? Am I enough? Maine says yes. It’s self deprecating but incredibly upbeat. “There’s beauty and grace in the flaws of your face, all candor and style in the crook of your smile”, the bridge says. The “bah bah”s sung in the song keep the bouncy feel. “We’re all pretty, baby” says John. You’ll believe him.

“(Un)Lost” has inspired many tattoos, and rightfully so. The song is once again analytical, John’s thoughts placed to music. It’s upbeat. It will keep your heart in time with the kick drum. “You are not allowed to be anybody else. Control what you can, confront what you can’t. Always remember how lucky you are to have yourself.” It’s heavy, and simultaneously carefree. It will remind you what it means to be alive. It’s inside the mind of a teenager. It’s inside the mind of anyone. It’s wholehearted and true. It’s real, and it’s honest. It speaks its own truth.

Title track “American Candy” is dark. The opening lyrics are juxtaposing the title of the album that is seemingly happy and sweet. It’s heavy and fast paced with choruses that pound on the drums and verses that barely touch them. “This American candy, it’ll rot your teeth.” The images left in your mind with this song will haunt you, a sugar-coated explanation of habits that won’t die.

“Another Night on Mars” is everything a good song by The Maine is. It’s an anthem to your friends. It’s got a carefree feeling that’s loose, but it’s a solid song. With the crashing symbols that prepare you for the piano and vocals, it’s a thank you letter for the fans. “What’s another night on mars with friends like ours? Anywhere is home.” The track has also inspired many tattoos among fans, including one that I would like to get. (“We all share the same sky”, for those of you who are curious.) Lyrics are repetitive, but that doesn’t make it any less special. John occasionally shouts things during the chorus to add some dimension, with words of encouragement. It’s a perfect happy ending where the holes of the plot are filled in and the strings are tied. Gang vocals wrap the album up in the most perfect way. It’s a great closer for a record and a concert.