Maroon 5 is adrift in search for an identity

Spencer Patterson

Tuesday, May 18, 2004 | 8:15 a.m.

For the first few seconds, AC/DC's metal classic "Highway to Hell" seemed a strange encore for light-rocking Maroon 5 on Monday night at the House of Blues at Mandalay Bay.

As the ragged-but-fun cover version progressed, however, it became evident the song offered something unique for the suddenly hot Los Angeles band: musical release.

A self-proclaimed "neo-soul rock outfit" on their official Web site, Maroon 5 focused on the first part of that description for most of the show. Call it Matchbox Twenty meets Stevie Wonder.

That wasn't terribly shocking, considering that side of the band's music has taken it from total obscurity to the upper reaches of the charts in recent months. Case in point: the No. 1 hit "This Love," the band's poppiest tune.

The approach certainly pleased the sold-out crowd of 1,800. Amid the screams of young girls -- who, surprisingly, did not comprise a majority of the audience -- fans sang along excitedly as the band performed 11 of 12 cuts from its platinum-selling debut album, "Songs About Jane."

Vocalist Adam Levine also appeared to be enjoying himself. The 25-year-old frontman soaked up the crowd's attention all night, dancing playfully and buttering up his fans between numbers.

"Three songs in and I already feel you," Levine pronounced early on. Later he proclaimed, "So much energy. I love it!"

As for the rest of Maroon 5, Monday's concert appeared largely to be an exercise in restraint.

Drummer Ryan Dusick -- who sat out the show with an injured shoulder before coming onstage to sing "Highway to Hell" -- practically admitted as much when he explained that the band "came of age during the era of Pearl Jam."

As Pearl Jam fans, the Marooners natural instinct would surely be to rock out, not settle into gentle grooves while Levine croons about youthful relationships and an ex-girlfriend named Jane.

Indeed, when given the chance, guitarist James Valentine steered the group into heavier territory, with busy solos that seemed at odds with Maroon 5's easy-on-the-ears, radio-friendly formula.

Keyboardist Jesse Carmichael also appeared eager to push the envelope. During "Wasted Years," the lone new song in the 70-minute set, Carmichael banged not only his head but also his instrument, raising his keyboard and slamming it down in unison with the beat.

As one might expect, Maroon 5's strange dichotomy proved to be its downfall Monday. Pop songs took sudden rock turns, and R&B-inspired rhythms begat strange metallic riffs.

The band actually succeeded most at its blandest, allowing fans to follow along note-for-note with familiar renditions of singles "This Love" and "Harder to Breathe."

More often, Maroon 5 sounded like a band battling through an identity crisis, even as it celebrates newfound success.