Mastering everything mainstream, the first two albums released by Los Angeles-based Maroon 5 were smash-hit, multi-platinum records filled with intoxicatingly catchy melodies. With six singles claiming spots on the Top 40 and three Grammy Awards including Best New Artist, the band was in its prime. Yet after the best-selling It Won’t Be Soon Before Long, fans were left waiting three long years for their Maroon 5 fix. The dry spell is finally over: Maroon 5’s Hands All Over, the band’s third studio album, was released Tuesday, Sept. 21.

So does Hands All Over live up to the standards that Maroon 5 has set for itself? In a way, yes. The band’s third studio album reminds us why we love these boys and how brilliant they are at producing riveting, funk-filled pop music. However, at times the band seems to be stuck in one gear, unable to produce anything fresh and exciting. The lyrics are forgettable, and the songs still revolve around chasing girls, breaking up with girls and getting over girls. But, despite the predictable and therefore slightly boring lyrics, the band has some features that never get old. Leader and main vocalist Adam Levine still captivates us with his perfect high-pitched crooning, beautiful harmonies, and of course, the crazy, raunchy videos he produces along with every single.

A perfect example of this style of video is that accompanying the album’s first single, “Misery,” a rather happy sounding song released in early June. The video stars Levine and his Russian model girlfriend, Anne Vyalitsyna. The video provides a dark commentary to the song, as the two are caught up in a sadomasochistic sexual relationship. Vyalitsyna makes several attempts to kill Levine but ends up accidently killing his bandmates instead. Even though “Misery” made it into the pop Top 20, the album boasts much bigger, better, and more focused songs. “Stutter,” “Never Going to Leave this Bed,” “How,” and “I Can’t Lie” are all simply executed, but also peppy and well thought-out. The songs sound like a balanced combination of pop, offbeat rock, and funk, fitting into the groovy, sexy style that Maroon 5 invented for itself with its very first single, “This Love” (2002).

The album also includes two slower paced, more delicate songs. “Just A Feeling” is a standard, pretty, but unimpressive ballad––something in between Bryan Adams and Bee Gees. However, the other ballad on the album, “Out of Goodbyes,” is a winning duet between Levine and one of country’s current favorites, Lady Antebellum. The softness of the melody and the contrast between the singers’ voices are extremely well suited to both stars’ styles. This track could be the new “Need You Now.”

The deluxe edition of Hands All Over comes with five bonus tracks. The first two, “Last Chance” and “No Curtain Call,” are new songs that do not seem to fit in with the upbeat tempos and groovy melodies on the album. They are both slightly gloomy and rather forgettable. The next two bonus tracks are acoustic versions of “Misery” and “Never Gonna Leave This Bed,” both of which are relaxed and cheerful reworkings of the hard-hitting original songs. These tracks define easy listening; it’s always such a pleasure to hear Levine’s raw, clear voice dancing along to nothing but an unplugged guitar. The last bonus track is a live cover of Alicia Keys’ famous “If I Ain’t Got You.” Most artists who attempt to cover this song fail tremendously, but Levine’s rendition is simple, emotive, and alluring. The effortless way in which he delivers the melody, without trying to dress it up with fancy vocalizations, is truly beautiful.

All in all, Hands All Over stays in line with what we have come to expect of Maroon 5. Even though the band has made the switch to producer Robert Lange, (AC/DC, Def Leppard and Nickelback) there has not been a noticeable change in music, theme, or style.But why should we complain? The boys have once again come out with an energetic, sassy album that fans will definitely want to get their hands all over.