Has anyone dug into the lyrics on this album? He talked about it being so difficult to write, the way they recorded it and the recurring theme of "falling" makes me think its conceptual but I'm having troubles drawing connections. I know he spoke of being present and learning to find happiness, but the lyrics and direction of the album always seems to go from youthful nostalgia to loving your partner(?) Maybe it's like not having a direction in your youth and starting to question what is the direction to finding it... Would be curious to know other peoples thoughts. I've always found nuggets or parts of album really speak to where I am in my own life, and there are parts of this album I really like but struggle a bit connecting it to the whole project.
I’m similarly curious. Especially about 3:31, which I agree is the album standout. There’s something about it that seems almost braggy on the surface but the way he asks “right?” feels quite vulnerable and I’d love to know more about his thoughts and intentions on the perspective of the character in the song.
Just to say 3:31 is my favourite song here - I'd say it's the closest thing to a classic 'The Maine' chorus
i think the lyrics are just more personal to John on this album. i would assume on other albums things are tweaked to make them more accessible to the listener and on this album they kind of stated they really made it for them.
I also am so curious about the lyrics of this song. I tend to think it’s a play on insecurities, but i’m not sure
I love this album and am somehow already ready for new music for them. Just keep pumping out the hits boys.
I like nearly every album by the Maine more than my favorite by Yellowcard (When You're Through Thinking). Nothing against them though, I like them, I just never got as into them as a lot of you. More of a singles band for me.
Wasn't too keen on the first listen but I've really come to love the album after probably 15 or so spins so far. We're at Walt Disney World this weekend and they're playing Sunday at House of Blues so I snagged a ticket. Haven't seen them live in almost 16 years.
Nothing like a vacation to happily coincide with seeing a band as good as The Maine are live right nearby! They slowly got me to enjoy their older material since I started seeing them in 2019, and the live versions of their pre-American Candy era are just better live. Enjoy the show!
I've sat with the album kind of mulling it since my original post and I do think it's a chronological (dating back to his youth) diary from insecurities and not knowing himself, to understanding where his joy is and being comfortable in himself. I think even the album title of Joy Next Door speaks to this. Being close enough to feel happiness, but you're never centered or present in it, its just beside you or passing by. Also, more lyrics mirror back each other between Green and And Then (feels like to fall, put the car in drive) that it feels full circle. As far as 3:31, my interpretation is that it was written as himself after having children and the first verse speaks of "Your mother thinks I'm famous, but hey, maybe I am"... I feel like it's coming to terms that he's not NOT famous, and maybe success isn't being a massive rock star (like Oasis) but what he's doing isn't nothing. The "I'm still your favourite, right?" speaks to me as "I don't care if this is what our ceiling looks like, I just want to be YOUR favourite (his son/daughter)". I'm about to become a dad for the first time so maybe that's just the sap in me coming out. Either way, I've really enjoyed this album - maybe moreso than their last one which I absolutely adored. Love this band
This was the song they were working on in videos on pillar that I loved! Was sad it didnt make the cut. Super cool tune, excited to hear the whole thing.