John Mayer: Battle Studies
John Mayer: Battle Studies
Tuesday, 17, Nov 2009 05:11
Colombia Records, out now.
What's it all about?
The US heart-throb returns with his fourth-studio record, describing it as written with "the timelessness of Tom Petty, Fleetwood Mac and Neil Young in mind". Battle Studies features 11 tracks, co-produced by John Mayer and Steve Jordan and also featuring Pino Palladino (both of the John Mayer Trio) and Ian McLagan.
Who's it by?
Mayer is perhaps more famous for his love life (which has included the likes of Jennifer Love Hewitt, Jessica Simpson and Jennifer Aniston) than his music in the UK, but at home in the US Mayermania is spreading. The seven-times Grammy award winner has sold more than 13 million albums, and has a huge (over two million) Twitter following of loyal fans, who are regularly updated by the artist.
A guitarist/vocalist, and former music school pupil, Mayer writes most of his own music. Battle Studies follows Room for Squares (2001), Heavier Things (2003) and Continuum (2006).
As an example...
"Wired and I'm tired/Think I'll sleep in my clothes on the floor/Baby this mattress will spin on its axis/And find me on yours." - Edge of Desire
What the others say
"His signature guitar work is barely there, drowned instead under a cacophony of middling percussion and a muddle of soft instrumental work. This from a man with the ability to absolutely blister a fretboard and sing mellifluously along with it." - Ron Harris, AP
"Battle Studies is terrific when Mayer drops the seriousness, pondering and sending up his reputation as a rake. On Half of My Heart, with Taylor Swift, Mayer plays the dude who kisses with one eye open, scanning for his next conquest." - Jody Rosen, Rolling Stone
So is it any good?
Mayer's return with Battle Studies was eagerly anticipated by fans, and for many this most recent edition has disappointed, failing to be the fireworks expected.
But what you surely can't criticise him for is consistency. Like many good artists, Mayer has found a style and stuck to it, and why not. I've long been a fan of Mayer, years before his name was recognised on this side of the pond, and like one of his greatest hits, his songs are Comfortable.
Perhaps something extraordinary and revolutionary would have fared better with the critics, but surely it's more unusual to be able to follow a recording artist who reliably churns out good music, in their own style, for ten years or more? The music industry changes so quickly, and what Mayer humbly proves is that you can last in this volatile world if you stick to your guns and maintain what it is that made you so successful in the first place; he has a signature style, which sells.
Battle Studies won't blow you away, so don't expect it to. But with tracks including Assassin (my personal favourite) and a collaboration with Taylor Swift on Half of My Heart, Mayer's newest album delivers.
8/10
Sarah Garrod