By Macky O
The long awaited album from John Mayer is finally out and about. And luckily he hasn't disappointed us! Battle Studies or his "heartbreak songbook" as he likes to call it, is rich and... short. Yes, it's too short for its goodness! It starts steady and ethereal with "Heartbreak Warfare", a favorite single that beats "Who Says" in lyrics and rhythm, Tracks like this and "Assassin" I feel have some Phil Collins influence on them. The vocals are distant and remind me a lot of Phil's style. Which is refreshing for John, who hasn't really tried that before.
"All we ever do is say goodbye" kinda embarrasses me. It's a ballad that sounds like it wants to be played in front of a fireplace... too simple for what we know he can accomplish. The song sounds good until he reaches that extremely corny chorus. "Half Of My Heart" has a country feel to it, with the diminute participation of Taylor Swift (I was expecting more!), she only has one line towards the end of the song. What a waste, it sounds like they could have a nice duet going.
Hopefully you've heard "Who Says", one of his most honest songs showing that 'really, he's a dork'. Complaining about time and getting stoned, sounds a little young but hey, let's let him have one of his last youngling moments. "Assassin" is nothing short of delicious from beginning to end. Hypnotizing and matching the lyrics perfectly, with catchy 80's background vocals and not a single guitar string out of line.
On this record he includes a cover of "Crossroads" that I wish had more band participation. But, it's a style and he performs well. "Do You Know Me" and "War Of My Life" are other steady and quiet songs, sweet and calm. And to end this with a bang, he leaves us with "Friends, Lovers Or Nothing", not that harsh of a bang, but an old sounding rock and roll vibe to it takes us all home.
Give this a listen, almost a must!
- Heartbreak warfare
- All we ever do is say goodbye
- Half of my heart (Feat. Taylor Swift)
- Who says
- Perfectly lonely
- Assassin
- Crossroads
- War of my life
- Edge of desire
- Do you know me
- Friends, lovers or nothing
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