The Maine just released their new album Joy Next Door, and it’s their introduction to their green era.
The Maine is composed of vocalist John O’Callaghan, guitarists Jared Monaco and Kennedy Brock, bassist Garrett Nickelsen, and drummer Pat Kirch. Between their studio albums and headlining shows, one thing this Arizona band is known for is maintaining consistent themes with their albums, and Joy Next Door is another example of that approach.
O’Callaghan had this to say about the album title:
“The title refers to being reminded of a more carefree time in your life, but it’s also about acknowledging that joy can coexist with fear and worry and doubt, and all the other complicated feelings we all struggle with and maybe try to suppress.”
And based on the released singles in support of the new album, it’s safe to say we can pick up on the “carefree vibes” the album is putting forward.
If there’s one thing The Maine is known for, it’s their album openers and the way they can set the album with their first track. “Green” is another addition to their memorable album openers. “Maybe this is what it feels like to fall” is how the album opener starts the album, and the slow beats, guitar, and lyrics give the listeners a bit of what’s to come in the album.
“Alone for a Year” is the next track, and it’s a track that’s on the topic of remembering as John sings, “It’s just another day, another day and night / Do I ever cross your mind?”
“Half A Spark” is a short but fast-paced third track, with lyrics including “Aren’t you tired of the view where you are? You want a little more than a spark?” It’s a sound that’s meant to play for fans in a live show from beginning to end.
‘Palms” is one of the many tracks The Maine released before the album, simply telling the listeners to let anything happen because the night is young and the future is unknown.
Joy Next Door transitions into the title track “Joy Next Door,” a slower, dance-like moment that eases the pace of the album. “3:31″ follows, giving listeners another thing The Maine is known for: fast love songs that listeners can dance to from start to finish.
Next up are the recently released songs, “quite part loud and die to fall.” Followed by “A Brief Commercial Break,” and the second-to-last track called “It’s Not Over Yet,” which could be the band’s way of telling fans they aren’t going anywhere anytime soon. “All of these strangers start to look like friends” summarizes the 8123 fan community formed by The Maine, a community filled with strangers who soon became friends thanks to a common love for music and specifically their love for The Maine.
And like all albums, every beginning needs an ending, and that ending is the final track of the album “And Then,” which is the longest track of the entire album, with 4 minutes and 15 seconds. While the song continues to ask “And then, now what,” it also picks up where “Green” left off with returning lyrics, “Maybe this is what it feels like to fall for her.”
From beginning to end, Joy Next Door has many emotions of acceptance that tie together the album: the acceptance of falling, the acceptance of not letting fate decide the choices that come, and the acceptance of the future.
Check out The Maine’s “I Love You, but I Chose The Maine” tour dates and tickets can be purchased at The Maine’s website.
MARCH
24 – LAS VEGAS Brooklyn Bowl
25 – PHOENIX The Van Buren
27 – SAN DIEGO The Observatory North Park
28 – LOS ANGELES The Nov
29 – SAN FRANCISCO Regency Ballroom
31 – SEATTLE The Showbox
APRIL
01 – PORTLAND Roseland Theater
03 – DENVER Ogden Theatre
09 – MINNEAPOLIS First Avenue
10 – CHICAGO The Salt Shed – The Shed
11 – DETROIT The Masonic – Jack White Theatre
12 – COLUMBUS Kemba Live!
14 – PITTSBURGH Stage AE
15 – TORONTO History
17 – PHILADELPHIA Franklin Music Hall
18 – BOSTON House of Blues Boston – Music Hall
19 – WASHINGTON 9:30 Club
21 – BROOKLYN Brooklyn Paramount
23 – CHARLOTTE The Fillmore Charlotte
24 – NASHVILLE Marathon Music Works
25 – ATLANTA The Masquerade – Heaven
26 – LAKE BUENA VISTA House of Blues
28 – ST. PETERSBURG Jannus Live
30 – HOUSTON House of Blues Houston – Music Hall
MAY
01 – AUSTIN Stubb’s Waller Creek Amphitheater
02 – DALLAS The Bomb Factory
