cletta1201's Full Review: Room For Squares by John Mayer (Rock)
You have to love that a quiet guy with so much talent like John Mayer just went platinum without a whole lot of hoopla around him. Having just reviewed B2K and trying to get some of my credibility back – the most appropriate choice I could think of was the engaging, enchanting, down-to-earth ”Room For Squares”. By now, most people know that platinum means you’ve sold one million records. For someone to have sold so many records, I’m surprised that I don’t hear more about Mayer other than the fact that he’s dating Jennifer Love Hewitt. Trashy gossip aside, John Mayer is talented and I think he’s stock is going to continue to rise as time progresses.
“Room For Squares” was produced by John Alagia who is most known for his work with The Dave Matthews Band on their albums “Crash” and “Before These Crowded Streets”. That influence is heavily felt because the first thing that comes to mind when listening to Mayer is that he sounds just like Dave Matthews, which isn’t a bad thing at all.
- Track Listing -
1. No Such Thing
2. Why Georgia
3. My Stupid Mouth
4. Your Body Is A Wonderland
5. Neon
6. City Love
7. 83
8. 3x5
9. Love Song For No One
10. Back To You
11. Great Indoors
12. Not Myself
13. St. Patrick’s Day
Mayer is a 20-something from Connecticut who besides Dave Matthews, reminds me a lot of Jewel. The mix of folk, soul and jazz really suits Mayer and unlike some people (Matta75) – I don’t mind his falsetto singing all that much and partially because he knows when to use it and its not used that often. If you’ve heard of Mayer at all it’s probably from the song ”No Such Thing”. A trip down high school memory lane and conformity, it’s about Mayer’s struggle to break out of the box: ”They love to tell you “stay inside the lines”/ But something’s better on the other side/ I wanna run through the halls of my school/ I wanna scream at the top of my lungs/ I just found out there’s no such thing/ As the real world/ Just a lie you’ve got to rise above.”. “No Such Thing” is one of those songs that will have you tapping your toe and moving your head no matter how hard you try not to.
”Your Body Is A Wonderland” has really sexy lyrics, but it’s set to upbeat music which takes the edge off and creates something special. If you were reading the lyrics you’d think how sexy it was, but set to music its magnetic and delightful. ”Neon” has a funky undercurrent to it. The bass is very forceful but all the instruments are fused together so perfectly right along with the vocals. Production is always a key element for me when listening to any album and Alagia has done an excellent job with this album – every song is executed supremely.
What is also really appealing about Mayer is that his poetry isn’t so complex that you can’t relate – it’s all black and white and very beautiful. At times he’s pensive, sometimes sensual – even funny at times and all of those attributes really suit him. He could be the guy you lived across the street from all your life and thought he was a bit odd and once you got to know him – you thought, damn – this is a cool kid, shame I didn’t get to know him sooner
”City Love” is my favorite track from “Room For Squares”. About a small town boy meeting a big city girl – its just a really smooth song which has an amazing string arrangement that stirs the soul. Also, Mayer brings his voice down and shows you some of his range – I’m impressed. ”3x5” about being away from a lover has a real folk edge to it but is a bit dark. ”Great Indoors” is a bit more hard than most of the albums tracks but Mayer has a voice like velvet that tends to make everything more easy to listen to.
- Final Thoughts -
With that platinum record under his belt, I think John Mayer’s name is one that you’re going to be hearing more and more. The music appeals to just about anyone and Mayer has a delicious voice. Match that voice with great writing, great production and his charm and you’ve got a winner.
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