The Maine – Imaginary Numbers

The Maine – Imaginary Numbers
Review by Jessica Klinner 

Just six months after releasing their fourth studio album, Forever Halloween, The Maine has produced more ear candy just in time for the holidays. While many wish this short EP came in the form of Christmas songs reminiscent of 2008’s And A Happy New Year, it unfortunately does not feature sleigh bells and lyrics about old Saint Nick. Instead, the EP entitled Imaginary Numbers consists of five original acoustic songs self-funded and produced by the band in a studio created in a spare room in their management’s office.

“Raining In Paris” introduces the EP with a catchy acoustic guitar intro that echoes throughout the song. It is much the same as Forever Halloween’s “Birthday in LA.” The second song, “Room With No Windows,” is one of the more spirited songs featured on the EP, presenting somber lyrics backed with melancholy whistling and fluctuating vocals.  The piano ballad entitled “Perfectly Out of Key” falls in sync with Forever Halloween’s “These Four Words.” Sitting smack dab in the middle of the EP, the song showcases lead singer John O’Callaghan’s vocals against only the piano, rivaling the previous songs with a vulnerable and isolated ambiance. “Visions” sounds like a song that would appear on a Ryan Adams album, throwing in a bit of harmonica towards the end. The irony presented in the lyrics shows the poetic nature of O’Callaghan’s writing. The final track on the EP titled “Lovely Sad” is the longest song of the bunch at almost seven minutes, which parallels to the last track of Forever Halloween that clocked in as the longest song on the album at over five minutes.  O’Callaghan’s soft vocals paired with sedative guitar parts ends the album on a relaxing note.

The Maine has taken tremendous leaps in their musical journey since the release of their first album, and they have all paid off. Imaginary Numbers is a perfect debut acoustic release for the band. O’Callaghan sings with conviction, reflection and passion. The lyrics are authentic and emotionally penetrating. The only complaint about this EP is that it should be longer. The Maine picked the perfect songs to record acoustically, allowing them to showcase a more laid back approach to their music. At this point in their career, The Maine’s fans trust them to create consistently great and evolving songs. Ever since the band departed from a major label and decided to venture into the world of independent artistry, their work has thrived and flourished. It’s only a matter of time before they start their own label and make a habit of releasing music whenever they please.

Overall Rating: 5/5
Recommended Tracks: “Visions” and “Raining In Paris”
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