Battle Studies First Impressions

Just received the leak for the album "Battle Studies", the fourth album release by John Mayer. He tweeted the okay to listen, and I have pre-ordered my copy so I am within my bounds to write.

I was trying to find words to describe this album, and I will have to steal a page from the Rove interview he did in Melbourne a week or so ago, calling it a "confessional". The lyrics for each song definitely play to that theme, and the beats as well as the guitar and songs rarely go to the extremes that Mayer is more than capable of doing. This album is definitely a departure from Continuum, for better or for worse I'm not entirely sure.

Most of the songs have a very slow beat that emulate the feeling you get driving down a California highway during the sunset as you contemplate your future. Songs talk about loneliness, commitment, and personal vindication echo loud in this album.

While the album lacks the big punching hits that were interlaced in Continuum such as "Belief", "Gravity", and "I'm Gonna Find Another You", Mayer tries to bring back some of the old love by doing a cover of Cream's "Crossroads". First heard when he played it live with Clapton in New York about a year or so ago, it is a cover that I feel tones down the pure raw energy and ridiculousness that Cream's original had entitled it to be. It almost seems that Mayer could have definitely let loose on that song but restrained.

While the lack of big guitar jamming hits may turn off some to refer Continuum as Mayer's best release, Mayer's songwriting has definitely taken a new step. Songs that used to be talking about running through high school hallways has evolved to a grown adult dealing with issues in himself that others deal with as well. No matter what celebrity status he gains, the emotions in the lyrics as well as songs can relate to any adult today.

I'd have to say his collaboration with Taylor Swift, "Half of my Heart" is a great song with substance, and an addicting guitar chord with a splash of a nice riff. Much like his previous collaboration with Alicia Keys, Mayer knows how to work both voices into a song. "War of my Life" is another track to note in the album.

In conclusion, Battle Studies is definitely a different direction for Mayer's music. Continuum may have set the benchmark, but Mayer might not have been able to replicate that greatness no matter how much magic potion he had. This one is more personal, more emotional, and much like the album title says its a study and interrogation of his inner self and its shortcomings.

Altogether, 7/10 ranking. Compared to the other albums I'd rank them like this:

Continuum: 9/10
Heavier Things: 6/10
Room for Squares: 5/10