Metascore
66 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 14 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 14
  2. Negative: 2 out of 14
  1. Maroon 5 are the new Police, the new U2: a wildly exciting rock band who understand how to make great pop music that works everywhere from the bedroom and the iPod to the radio and the stadium.
  2. If some of the ballads aren't as distinguished as the livelier tracks, they nevertheless are as sharply crafted as the rest, and the end result is that It Won't Be Soon Before Long is that rare self-stylized blockbuster album that sounds as big and satisfying as was intended.
  3. These are all songs that you would have trouble getting out of your head, and It Won't Be Soon Before Long is the second coming and establishing factor of Maroon 5 as the pop band of the century thus far.
  4. There's not a lot to fall deeply in love with here, but Levine and crew understand the importance of packing as much thrill as possible into each tryst, leaving you with mostly good feelings and no lasting emotional scars.
  5. An icy-hot blend of electro-funk and blue-eyed soul that works its cruel streak with the confidence of Daniel Craig's James Bond.
  6. 70
    The cocky songs mask a lot of misery. [Jun 2007, p.107]
  7. The only surprising thing about It Won't Be Soon Before Long is its complete avoidance of sophomore slump.
  8. 70
    The only misstep is frontman Adam Levine's raunchy lyrics. [Jun 2007, p.94]
  9. The slick, hyperproduced "It Won't Be Soon Before Long" is a set of 12 potential hits, all mashes of groove and guitar firepower. [26 May 2007]
  10. The tunes... are uniformly strong, and the playing and production neatly manicured, if a bit dense in places. But the lyrics are spotty at best.
  11. If you're only into the band for the music, then this will be a solid purchase – it's far more polished and focused than Songs About Jane. Lyrically, though, this album gets tired fast.
  12. Were the album as sleek and steely as "Makes Me Wonder," we would be crowning and mitering Maroon 5 as master purveyors of white-boy funk.
  13. There's nothing wrong with making music for tweens, or lighter-lofting boomers. It's simply a matter of execution, and here these chums are scattered and grasping.
  14. Listen to this record and you realise that by comparison, Robbie Williams does actually have some soul. And if that's not a damning indictment of one of the most execrable records you're likely to hear this decade, I don't know what is.
User Score

Generally favorable reviews- based on 75 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 37 out of 56
  2. Negative: 13 out of 56
  1. Another perfect example of pop melodies that have killer hooks and also good song-writing. Maroon 5 mix synth-rock with pop anthems and all of it sounds great. Adam Levine is a great singer and also writes really good lyrics. He sings of having sex and walking in on his girlfriend having sex with another man and him killing the man. He let's it all out in this album and it was a step in the right direction. All In All, It Won't Be Soon Before Long is a great album. B+ Full Review »
  2. The musical talent the band showed in Songs About Jane is gone here. This album is generic mainstream pop, slightly catchy at best and plain annoying at its worst. Ehh. Full Review »
  3. KarlE.
    10
    This is by far the best album I have heard in my entire life.