Album Description L.A.-based modern rock quartet Kara's Flowers - frontman Adam Levine plus Jesse Carmichael, Mickey Madden and Ryan Dusick - were the nucleus for what would become - with the addition of James Valentine -today's hot act Maroon 5. Southland stars in the late '90s, these friends since high school released only one full-length disc, an instant favorite among fans of world-class, literate, Beatle-esque pop-rock everywhere.
Were you looking for Maroon 5?February 7, 2008 I was a little upset reading reviews titled, "before maroon5" and "birth of maroon 5". As a Maroon 5 fan, Kara's Flowers is not Maroon 5. And, that's a good thing.
I love Kara's Flowers for the simple fact that they are not the Maroon 5 many have grown fond of. They are 4 angsty teens, strumming and banging away at a dream. What you get on this album is not the fined tuned, sulty tracks we are now familiar with. But, rather grudgier alternative arrangements reminiscent of early 90's rock. I love it.
Adam showcases his early writing skills here, and for anyone listening to them then, would never know he's grow up to be the ladies man he has personified now. But, still the 4 guitars are harder than the three we get in M5. And the harder lyrics are edgier that even "Wake Up Call" on M5's sophomore CD.
Some of the key tracks are: "Oliver," "Soap Disco," and "Control Myself." All these songs are a great blend of alternative, angst, and emotion. And are pretty well written. The only song the band took off from this re-release is "Woman." They redid it as Maroon 5 on the Spider-Man 3 soundtrack. And, in my opinion the Kara's Flowers version is way better. If you can find it, do so.
I would advise new M5 fans to listen to this album as if M5 were a separate group. Because they are.
Beatle-esque -- this is GREAT -- very early Maroon 5 and very differentAugust 7, 2007 If you enjoy M5, you will enjoy this tremendously. There are just too many favorites on here to choose (the cheesy 'Soap Disco' kind of grows on you), right now I'm listening to 'Myself' and I just love it. I don't care if the album was originally issued back in 1997 (a decade ago), the musical style is still relevant today and I would love to hear M5 do any of the tunes off this album, though I'm quite sure Adam Levine doesn't like this. I have a rare version of Kara's Flowers doing 'Tangled' before they became M5, and comparing it to the M5 SAJ 'Tangled' you can really tell the maturity in the voices and instrument playing style that the M5 guys have grown up from.
!Fourth World!March 18, 2006 0 out of 1 found this review helpful
Anyone buying this expecting it to be maroon5 style, it is not. in some ways it is better.Adam Levine's voice is different and has obviously matured from this to "songs about jane". I dont see Kara's Flowers as Maroon5, although they techniaclly are, i feel that it is a very different band.
This Ablum , as other reviews have said, is beatle-esc and is a good album to listen to whatever your mood. My favourtie song has to be "My Ocean Blue" which is most defiantely beatle-esc. Others like the opening track 'soapdisco' sound slightly punk-pop-y. Another great track is 'Oliver'.
All in all a brilliant album for anyone to buy.
Sounds like Maroon 5 Demos...Not the Best There isJanuary 2, 2006 0 out of 1 found this review helpful
I'm telling you this is almost a classic if it were older...but I just liked Maroon 5 better. Don't get me wrong, they did a little better than ok job with this CD. But it just sounds like Maroon 5 demos, which is not the best.
Please, go for Maroon 5 instead
Pleasant SurpriseDecember 27, 2005 1 out of 2 found this review helpful
I have been a fan of Maroon5 since I saw "Harder to Breathe" on VH1 a full six months before they were the hot ticket. Think what you want about that...but today, I found the coolest surprise at Best Buy. Honestly, I had never heard that they had released the Kara's Flower CD so when I found it, I was probably the most happy I've been to find a CD. In any case, on with the review. Like many people have said, this disc is definitely completely different from Maroon5. It is free of the R&B flavor that Songs About Jane was. Honestly, I was a little scared when I read their little disclaimer on the back. But instead of being some sort of ridiculous hard metal, it turned out to be bubbly, almost Click Five sound. Lyrically, it's probably more radio friendly than Maroon5. This is definitely something you want to try if you are in the mood for something new. If you want Maroon5...go buy their live CDs...or wait for their new album. This isn't for the hardcore-i-love-maroon5-because-they-have-that-r&b-rock-edge...So go into this CD expecting nothing and you'll be happy.
