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 | MaxeenMaxeen2003 SideOneDummy 
 Review by: Adam See others by this writer ![[staff]](/images/icons/staffsticker.gif){kind=icon}
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Published on November 18th 2003 Earlier this year SideOneDummy announced the signing of a seemingly unknown LA band called Maxeen. Curious I checked out the tracks available from their website, and amongst a few promising live recordings was a demo of a ska-tinged early-Police style tune called “Love Goes A Long Way.” For me it was an affirmation of the how great a promotional tool the Net can be for bands, as the file sat proudly on my computer’s desktop like an everyday application. Open Email. Launch Mozilla. Play “Love Goes…” Months later the band’s self-titled debut album is here and it more than
lives up to expectations. There’s a strong new-wave influence on Maxeen’s debut, but new-wave in the edgy guitar-pop revisionist vein as opposed to the synth-pop that bands are mining nowadays. Its impossible not to make the Police comparison, as both bands could share the description of a vocalist / bassist lead three piece with a penchant for nervous pop-rock with elements of ska and reggae. However Maxeen goes further, speeding into both Elvis Costello and Pixies territory when Sting & co would have been slowing things down for a ballad. There’s no shortage of great songs here, most with layered hooks that should leave the tracks in your head for hours. “Strangers” and “Soleil” are great examples of the band’s songwriting approach. Guitarist Shannon McMurray give a nod to U2’s anthems with “Lead Not Follow.” The relaxed “White Flag” provides a great counter to the frenetic “Shuffle My Feet” and “Take The Weight Off.” My aforementioned gem “Love Goes A Long Way” is present in a more up-tempo and energetic recording than the demo. While music this poppy and upbeat may turn off those looking for something edgier, Maxeen’s smart enough from instrumentation and songwriting perspectives that they should have a wide appeal. Maxeen has such a great sense of good pop-songwriting and such an energetic
delivery that it should be impossible to keep them hidden in the underground
for very long. They take great 80s post-punk as a starting point but quickly
kill any notion that they’ll be limited to a revival-act. This band can
and will be huge, mark my words.
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ooooooo this is a great album. yum yum. maxeen is hott w/ rock! they put on great live shows... Bought this today. I like it a lot. i saw these guys open up for the slackers, after the aggrolites. I know, it makes no sense. Anyway, they sucked, but my pap liked them. Go figure. Incredible guitar riffs, friendly guys, great live performance...Go and check this band out live!!! you'll change you mind real quick if you didn't like what you heard on here! I was really excited to pick up the lost Police record called Maxeen. Sting sounds great on all the songs. I love how he uses parts of all his other police songs and takes a bit of everyone and puts them into every song on this cd. I also love how Sting stu,stu,stu,stu,studders the first word of every verse. This is a must for any Sting and Police Fan. First caught them on the Warped Tour - Then got their demo CD. Then caught them at the Whisky - then bought the new album. It's all good. This is what a "live" band is supposed to be. It isn't '83, 93, or 2003 copy - it's just kick-ass good - and it does stick in your head! originality is the sum of all influences interpreted and put together in a unique package. these guys have a lot of flavors to their music which give them a wide appeal. great lyrical hooks, awesome energy and outstanding players. can't help goin away hummin their tunes Just wanted to make the comment that, not only is they're music something uncommon and newer for a change, but Tom Baliey happens to be my blood cousin and I've known the guy my entire life, therefore I know for a fact he is such an awesome guy! Very down to earth and true, very hard to come by these days and believe me when I say this, if they go big, it's very much deserved!! Come on now, who are these guys kidding. I mean it's cool to have influences but i am not down with totally jacking style. Have some fucking originality. This is what's wrong with music today. Hey maxeen put the police cd's down and try writing some of your own riffs. I hate this band! awful. lacks creativity. and the choruses make my ears bleed. ZING!!! See below. I think superdude is not so super. He should change his name to notquiteassuperasithoughtiwas. i bought their live EP at warped and i like it a lot. this album is good. i wish they would've put the song "sea of plastic" on here...but whatever. interestingly enough, the record store i went to buy this on tuesday didn't have it, but when i went to checked the used section, a promo copy of it was there for $6. so that wins. that was boba_fett. stupid computer forgetting to save my login. aarg "...he reminds me of someone I knew..." Yeah, a lot of his jokes are corny, but actually quite witty as well. ...he reminds me of someone I knew... i just decided to look at all the recent reviews and im realizing that superdude posts at almost all of them and superdudes posts are all weird. this is so weird. funny guy that superdude. wait..maxeen and moneen are different bands? This band has an amazing live show, and i think its really been brought out well in the CD. The boys are all amazing musicians, and I think they really work well together. Yay for this cd. saw them with yellowcard in santa cruz and bought the record on the spot ! One of the best records of the year and its december bizotch Sting...U2...Elvis Costello... Ramo This review was good, but here's how I'd make it better: i have been waiting for this album for mucho tiempo. i heard a couple of tunes in previous comps and while i wasn't ga-ga over it, it was pretty catchy. i'll give this album a shot. great review,great band, great cd. got it today !!! Ha oh my god. Comment of the day award, see below. Maxeen sounds like a tampon brand. This score is for tampons and vaginal bleeding. third! Excellent review Adam, you really want to make me go and spend more money today than I'd like. |
