Grade: B | Genre: Modern Rock Summary: This was a very good show, but fell short of being a great one. They need to take advantage of the increased production values that an arena show offers to a band. Beyond this, their sound was great, and they are slowly finding their way into their newly crowned status of mega band.

Ah, Maroon 5 -- the band that should be paying massive royalties to Stevie Wonder for modernizing his patented sound. Our little group is all growed up now, as Vince Vaughn would say. I remember the days when they were struggling up and comers aiming for John Mayer like success, elbowing for space with fellow contemporaries like Will Hoge and Matt Nathanson. Maroon 5 just happened to be one of those who caught fire and for good reason. While they owe a huge debt to their influences, they have cleared their own space in the crowded musical landscape.

I first saw Maroon 5 in concert this past August opening for Mayer at Lakewood (or Hi-Fi Buys to the kids) where they put on a solid set. It was an abbreviated take, clocking in around 45 minutes, but it left you wanting in a good way. The past eight months have certainly been kind to them (or not depending on your perspective of fame) as they now mount the stage as the headliner of an arena show. Their stage presentation was good yet nothing extraordinary. They looked like a band just getting its feet wet in the possibilities inherent in an arena production. The band was tight and sounded crisp even if they were a little light on improvisation and taking chances with the music. Adam Levine's voice sounded perfect. He wasn't his manic jumping and fully animated self. He announced in the early goings that he would be a bit subdued since he was recovering from an accident that fractured his sternum. It goes without saying that the ladies loved Adam in a way usually reserved for teddy bears and Brad Pitt -- depending on the age of course.

The estrogen was definitely pumping through that place. I'd say it was easily a 70/30 mix. Not that I'm complaining mind you. There were some astounding hot women everywhere you looked. Gentlemen, a note of reference to the single guys and the married ones whose mind still operates as such. If you are busily wasting your time trolling the bars for fresh meat, don you're sensitive side for the evening and check out one of these shows. You can take your pick from John Mayer, Jason Mraz, [fill in sensitive, singer-songwriter here]. There is more than enough potential buzzing here to make it worth your while.

Maroon 5's set was mostly comprised from numbers off their debut, Songs about Jane. They introduced a couple new songs, "Can't Stop" and "Wasted Years", which showed considerable promise. I wish they had propped a couple more new pieces up for display because it's been two and a half years since the release of Songs for Jane, and I'm very interested to know what direction they are heading next. They also paid homage to some of rock's founding fathers sampling Pink Floyd's "Another Brick in the Wall" in the closing moments of the exquisite "Woman" as well as popping out Sly & the Family Stone's classic anthem "Everyday People". Adam even morphed into a spot on impression of Liam Gallagher during the Beatles-esque Oasis song "Hello".

This was a very good show, but fell short of being a great one. They need to take advantage of the increased production values that an arena show offers to a band. Most acts layer the production like caking on make-up to hide their lack of talent, yet Maroon 5 just needs to use it to accentuate their talent. Also, Adam lacked his signature dynamic stage presence due to the injury that cut away at their magnetic feel. Granted, nothing could be done about this and Adam was a trooper to be up there performing at all, but it was a bit of a let down nonetheless. Beyond this, their sound was great, and they are slowly finding their way into their newly crowned status of mega band. Though I'd still prefer to see them perform in a small, intimate setting, they put on a fabulous show irrespective of the venue. I'd definitely recommend you secure a ticket next time they are in town.

Be sure to pick up the sweet ear candy of Maroon 5's Songs about Jane if you haven't had the pleasure and check Pollstar to see when Maroon 5 will be drifting through your neighborhood.