Okay Geek Farm
New Music Monday: John Mayer
Nick Mahar
Newly this week we are having New Music Mondays, bring you big and small artist to help you discover new music.
This week we take a look at well known artist John Mayer with his latest release Battle Studies. This is Mayer's 5th album and it has created much anticipation after his last hit album Continuum, which sold more than 2,272,747 copies and won a few awards. Released on November 17, 2009 by Columbia Records, the album was produced by Mayer and drummer Steve Jordan. Why was it called Battle Studies you may ask?
Mayer states
"The album is called Battle Studies and that's because it incorporates a lot of the lessons, a lot of the observations, and a little bit of advice. Like a handbook, like a heartbreak handbook."
A very strange thing of him to do was say it's okay for fans to illegally download the album when it was accidentally leaked. He did state that he would approve of the download so long they "registered" or bought a real copy when it came out.
The album includes 11 songs total with a guest appearance by new artist Taylor Swift. I personally don't see how you can call it a collaboration or even say she's really in the song when she says about 2 lines stating, "I can't stop loving you".
Here is a list of all the album tracks and play times.
- "Heartbreak Warfare" – 4:30
- "All We Ever Do Is Say Goodbye" – 4:35
- "Half of My Heart" (with Taylor Swift) – 4:10
- "Who Says" – 2:56
- "Perfectly Lonely" – 4:28
- "Assassin" – 5:14
- "Crossroads" (Robert Johnson cover inspired by Cream) – 2:29
- "War of My Life" – 4:15
- "Edge of Desire" – 5:32
- "Do You Know Me" – 2:30
- "Friends, Lovers or Nothing" – 5:59
The entire comes out to about 50 music of great John Mayer music. Personally I think most of the music is good but not amazing. Many of his songs feel like they were left over from Continuum because they weren't good enough for it so they just tossed them to Battle Studies. If you compare it to Continuum like I did because it sounds the same then I think you will be a little disappointed.
Having said that, I still feel like its a great album. It's full with and array of blues music which is just awesome. I constantly find myself singing at the top of my lungs to certain parts or even closing my eyes to just take in the music. It's very powerful music and makes me appreciate blues music like no other music of it's genre has(not counting Continuum). My favorite songs have to be Assassin, Heartbreak Warfare, All We Ever Do is Say Goodbye, Who Says, and Cross Roads. I bought the iTunes version which came with the "Who Says" music video, Making of "Who Says'" video, and the brand new iTunes LP book which is just loaded with extras. The best extra by far has to be an iTunes interview with Mayer who talks for at least an hour about his music, music in general, and the whole industry which is very interesting.
Overall Battle Studies is a great album for anyone who likes John Mayer or enjoys nice relaxing music. For hard core Mayer fans, you might be disappointed as I was but you may not like many people have been completely satisfied. I personally just didn't think the album was worth the $13.00 like I thought past albums were. Hopefully my review will help you discover a new artist if you haven't heard of Mayer before, or possible help you decide if this album is for you.
-NM
