Let's get this out of the way. John Mayer can be a bit of a dbag in real life. But hopefully he has learned from some of the stuff he says and will start to think a little bit before speaking. But I've always heard "I like his music, I just can't stand him." So let's talk about his music.
Of all the albums in this countdown, I have spent the least amount of time with this one. I downloaded it during my relapse of downloading music when I went to South Dakota and I could not stop listening to it. (I do believe in paying for music; music that's worth it. When I get the funds, I plan on buying this cd on vinyl). The events that led me to download it: A friend telling me how great his latest album was so I began to listen to him a little bit. Then I put him in one of my pandora playlists and a song called "Vultures" off this cd came on. I was hooked. So when I got the chance to download it and have it for myself, I jumped on it.
The cd starts off with "Waiting On The World to Change," so I usually start playing at track 2. I don't hate the song, but just like Viva La Vida, I think I'm just a little tired of it. But giving the entire cd a chance and I was surprised. From his radio singles I always thought of John Mayer as adult friendly material that my mom could listen to as well as me and that his songs were just radio ready hits. While that could be true, I wasn't prepared to be taken on a musical journey that showed signs of blues and slow jams.
Immediately with the second track, "I Don't Trust Myself (With Loving You)" the blues feeling kicks in for me. This is also shown on "Dreaming" and the already mentioned "Vultures." "Heart of Life" and "Dreaming With A Broken Heart" are feel good songs that occasionally I just lay down and relax to. "Bold as Love" is a much better than expected tribute to Jimi Hendrix, one of my favorite artists.
The two stand out tracks to me are "Stop This Train" and "Slow Dancing in a Burning Room." The first shows his ability as a storyteller and the second is a song that I have made a vow that I will slow dance to someone with someday. A boy can dream can't he?
And speaking of dreaming, I'm about to lay down and put this cd on (starting with track 2). Enjoy some songs for yourself:
That's it- you are like my #1 bestie. Because "slow dancing in a burning room" is MY song. This is MY cd. "I don't trust myself"..all me. Good lord. Where have you been for like, ever?! :) He is douchebag to the extreme but god dammit if he's not a great artist. I can't lie, he is kind of cute. But likely full of STD's. Of all of his cd's (and to be honest I have no interest in Battle Studies) but Continuum is my favorite. By far. Which is really weird because it's what is playing in the background. Good thing I'm not doing a top 50 list because it would really suck to have two almost identical lists. HAHA!!
ReplyDeleteI forgot to add that "I don't trust myself" sounds, to me, like sex. As soon as I heard the very beginning I thought, "wow- it's a sex song" and it really is. I think it's a better sex song than "your body is a wonderland" ever was. Just my 98 cents. ;)
ReplyDeleteHi music twin. I love John Mayer, even though he has given some pretty interesting interviews lately. He's a great musician. I saw him in concert back in '04 and I'd love to see him again. He makes funny faces when he performs. :) Anyway, I think it's hilarous that you skip the first track because I do too (same with Viva la Vida)...I really like Heavier Things-- you should "purchase" it soon...Continuum definitely has much more of a blues influence/sound if you prefer that though. Both are good! I have Battle Studies but I haven't sat down and listened to it really. I probably should. :)
ReplyDeleteIt's funny that you mention dancing to "Slow Dancing in a Burning Room"- to me it's more of a sad song- a track about two people who love eachother but can't be together, for whatever reason...still a beautiful song though.
@Sara:
ReplyDeleteI've been right here all along, just listening to my headphones. And identical lists wouldn't be bad, but I do hope that there are a few scattered around in here that you may not have noticed without this countdown. And I love how you give 98 cents when everyone else only gives two. That could make a whole dollar :)
@Lisa:
"interesting" is an understatement haha. He recently came through the south and I wish I could have seen him. I always thought it would have been "girly" to want to see John Mayer, but after this cd I don't care. I do like the blues sound, but I got all the cd's in my spree so I will check out Heavier Things as well. And yea, I guess it's just the vibe of the song. Like, I put Dreaming With A Broken Heart in my "feel-good" section and that's not really a feel good song, haha, but the melody is
i am not a john mayer fan by any stretch of the imagination. mellow music really isn't my thing. i had to teach an audition piece to "slow dancing in a burning room" and almost blew a fuse because i couldn't figure out the slow counts.
ReplyDeletethanks for the comment :) i love coldplay and that damn 40 year old virgin line always gets said ;) yes, i've seen the last kiss! it's one of my favorite movies. <3
ReplyDeletedoesn't "warning sign" just make your heart melt!?
and i agree john is a d-bag in real life. but i think he isn't as douchey as he tried to be on twitter and everything...i really do believe he felt like shit and has a heart. continuum was great. <3