HelloAngel
ONE love, blood, life
[SIMG]http://forum.interference.com/gallery/data//585/11265mayer-sml.jpg[/SIMG]
By Devlin Smith, Contributing Editor
2006.09
John Mayer is quite often derided, mainly because of the rabid female fan base he attracted with his first album “Room for Squares” five years ago. Dreamy songs like the Grammy-winning "Your Body Is a Wonderland" and "Daughters," in addition to Mayer's boy-next-door charm, didn't help.
But that's not what Mayer's about, and he's been working hard to right his image since "Daughters" became a massive hit two years ago. The John Mayer Trio was a step in that direction. Formed last year with veteran session players Steve Jordan on drums and Pino Palladino on bass, the blues group toured clubs, released the live album "Try!" and earned Mayer kudos from critics while not alienating his core fans.
"Continuum," Mayer's latest release (which he also co-produced with Jordan), tries to reconcile the two ends of the musician's career—pop and blues—while creating a jumping off point for Mayer's future albums. And it works.
The album opens with first single "Waiting on the World to Change," a swaying tune with a '70s jam feel that explains why some of us aren't as politically active as we could be. "It's not that we don't care/We just know that the fight ain't fair," Mayer sings.
Mayer displays his guitar prowess in “Waiting” and throughout the album, easily offering up electric blues, pensive acoustics and even a little back-porch bluegrass. Though impressive, none of this is showy, instead the guitar is just one piece of each song, of no more importance than the lyrics, vocals, bass (provided by Palladino), drums (Jordan) or other instruments.
"Continuum" explores common territory for Mayer, and other pop artists—life and love—in a matter-of-fact manner. Mayer doesn't have the answers, nor does he pretend to. Songs like "Waiting" and "Belief" (which states, "What puts the folded flag inside his mother's hand?/Belief can") aren't meant to rally the troops, they're simply Mayer's way of explaining how the world makes him feel.
On the love front, Mayer seemed to have hit a rough patch during the making of the album. "I Don't Trust Myself With Loving You," "Slow Dancing in a Burning Room," "Dreaming With a Broken Heart" and "I'm Gonna Find Another You" recount love in various states of demise.
Near the album's midpoint, in the midst of all of Mayer's pondering and attempts at recovering, there's a sweet, sunny spot. On "The Heart of Life," Mayer adds up all of life's ups and downs to arrive at the solution, "The heart of life is good." This is the album's most timeless moment, a song to belong to lovers, friends, parents and children. With its bittersweet optimism, the song feels like Paul McCartney at his introspective best.
Mayer spent about two years making "Continuum," even pushing the release date back to ensure that the album was all it could be. All that time was worth it. The album is concise with each song flowing easily one to the next. There's no fluff, either, as each song adds to "Continuum's" life story. Mayer's lyrics, vocals and guitar playing are in top form and gain strength from an impressive of backing musicians, including Ben Harper.
"Continuum" may not silence all the naysayers but is certain to impress most listeners.
By Devlin Smith, Contributing Editor
2006.09
John Mayer is quite often derided, mainly because of the rabid female fan base he attracted with his first album “Room for Squares” five years ago. Dreamy songs like the Grammy-winning "Your Body Is a Wonderland" and "Daughters," in addition to Mayer's boy-next-door charm, didn't help.
But that's not what Mayer's about, and he's been working hard to right his image since "Daughters" became a massive hit two years ago. The John Mayer Trio was a step in that direction. Formed last year with veteran session players Steve Jordan on drums and Pino Palladino on bass, the blues group toured clubs, released the live album "Try!" and earned Mayer kudos from critics while not alienating his core fans.
"Continuum," Mayer's latest release (which he also co-produced with Jordan), tries to reconcile the two ends of the musician's career—pop and blues—while creating a jumping off point for Mayer's future albums. And it works.
The album opens with first single "Waiting on the World to Change," a swaying tune with a '70s jam feel that explains why some of us aren't as politically active as we could be. "It's not that we don't care/We just know that the fight ain't fair," Mayer sings.
Mayer displays his guitar prowess in “Waiting” and throughout the album, easily offering up electric blues, pensive acoustics and even a little back-porch bluegrass. Though impressive, none of this is showy, instead the guitar is just one piece of each song, of no more importance than the lyrics, vocals, bass (provided by Palladino), drums (Jordan) or other instruments.
"Continuum" explores common territory for Mayer, and other pop artists—life and love—in a matter-of-fact manner. Mayer doesn't have the answers, nor does he pretend to. Songs like "Waiting" and "Belief" (which states, "What puts the folded flag inside his mother's hand?/Belief can") aren't meant to rally the troops, they're simply Mayer's way of explaining how the world makes him feel.
On the love front, Mayer seemed to have hit a rough patch during the making of the album. "I Don't Trust Myself With Loving You," "Slow Dancing in a Burning Room," "Dreaming With a Broken Heart" and "I'm Gonna Find Another You" recount love in various states of demise.
Near the album's midpoint, in the midst of all of Mayer's pondering and attempts at recovering, there's a sweet, sunny spot. On "The Heart of Life," Mayer adds up all of life's ups and downs to arrive at the solution, "The heart of life is good." This is the album's most timeless moment, a song to belong to lovers, friends, parents and children. With its bittersweet optimism, the song feels like Paul McCartney at his introspective best.
Mayer spent about two years making "Continuum," even pushing the release date back to ensure that the album was all it could be. All that time was worth it. The album is concise with each song flowing easily one to the next. There's no fluff, either, as each song adds to "Continuum's" life story. Mayer's lyrics, vocals and guitar playing are in top form and gain strength from an impressive of backing musicians, including Ben Harper.
"Continuum" may not silence all the naysayers but is certain to impress most listeners.
