Album Review: The Maine - Forever Halloween

Severing their ties to the world of major labels a couple of years ago, The Maine took a risk that paid off, and with their latest offering Forever Halloween they've thrown another spanner into the works by deciding to record live to tape. It's a risky move because what the band enters the studio with is pretty much what they walk out with. The songs have to be tight, and well written in order for the process to be of sufficient benefit, and listening to their fourth record, it's clear The Maine are more in sync than ever.

The songs on Forever Halloween are far more solid than most of those on 2011's Pioneer, and upbeat pop rock numbers such as Run, Love And Drugs, and Blood Red are like nothing they've written before. With these songs, vocalist John O'Callaghan has truly found his voice, and his lyrics have evolved into a completely different beast. Without music behind them or melodies to evoke emotion, they would still hold their own and have sufficient meaning.

On past records, the Arizonan five-piece have, at times, added a country tinge to their brand of alternative pop rock, but with Forever Halloween they've traded it in for a healthy dose of grunge. It's a move that sees them take a step back from the mainstream and the popularity associated and into a sonic realm far better suited to their abilities. Free from the constraints of major labels and traditional recording methods, The Maine have produced an album that showcases six years of hard work and a band giving it their all.