The Maine – American Candy
Words By : Ally Fisher
Pop-punk veterans, The Maine, are back with a bang and a half with the release of their fifth studio album, American Candy. Since the release of Can’t Stop Won’t Stop in 2008, The Maine has aged like a fine wine, each album released is somehow better than the previous, and American Candy is no exception.
The band has evolved over the years from their expertly produced pop-punk sound of Can’t Stop Won’t Stop to the gritty alternative of Pioneer and Forever Halloween, now to the stunning alternative indie pop sound that makes up American Candy. The album opens up with “Miles Away,” an ode to summer road trips and finding yourself, showcased by heavy and unique guitar riffs, the perfect, attention-grabbing song to start the album off with. The next three songs, “Same Suit, Different Tie,” “My Hair,” and “English Girls” all follow in the opener’s upbeat indie pop sound.
Next on American Candy is the ballad “24 Floors,” an older-sibling of “Kennedy Curse” off of Forever Halloween with long drawn vocals and a melodramatic sound. The album picks back up with “Diet Soda Society” and “Am I Pretty?” but is followed by the enigmatic “(Un) Lost,” a song with powerful lyrics about freedom such as, “I’m unaware of where I’m going/Or if I’m going anywhere at all/But I know I’ll take the leap/If it is worth the fall.”
The album concludes gracefully with title song “American Candy” and “Another Night on Mars.” “American Candy” has a beat that you’ll be tapping your fingers to and a sound you’ll be humming all day while “Another Night on Mars,” the final song on the album, is reminiscent of “We’ll All Be…” from Can’t Stop Won’t Stop, a song you’ll be shouting at the top of your lungs with your best friends at a bar.
Overall, American Candy is one you do not want to miss. The Maine knocks it out of the ballpark every time and this is no fly ball.
Overall Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Recommended Tracks: “American Candy” “My Hair” & “Diet Soda Society”
