CD review: Battle Studies - John Mayer

STAYING ON COURSE: John Mayer's new album sticks firmly to the middle of the road.

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He's got a twisted sense of humour, dates some of the biggest Hollywood starlets around, runs one of the best celebrity Twitter accounts on the net and has been known to dress up in Borat's infamous green 'mankini'.

So it's a shame more of John Mayer's charismatic personality, tabloid-baiting lifestyle and salacious love life doesn't come through in his music.

To date, the 32-year-old has spent three albums sticking firmly to his brand of guitar-fuelled, blues-tinged pop-rock, and his fourth - Battle Studies - does little to mess with it.

There is a slight change of theme, with most of the album's 11 tracks dealing with a broken heart. Gossipmongers following his on-again, off-again relationship with Jennifer Aniston will read what they can out of lyrics like "Tore out my heart, shut it down" from Perfectly Lonely. 

It's a little morose, but occasionally, Battle Studies succeeds. Heartbreak Warfare is a spooky, atmospheric opener full of double entendres, Half of My Heart will please fans of previous hits like Bigger Than My Body, and Assassin sees Mayer putting his famed guitar skills to good use,

But he comes across as a moping teen on All We Ever Do Is Say Goodbye, and he apes Billy Joel with the layered vocals and faux religious themes of the bluesy Crossroads. And while the lyrics of the plodding War of My Life are confrontational, they're delivered with such little enthusiasm it's hard to believe Mayer really is suffering.

Only on the sly acoustic single Who Says does a hint of Mayer's true personality shine through, thanks to the controversial chorus, "Who says I can't get stoned ... turn off the lights and the telephone?"

Still, when you can spark headlines by metaphorically smoking a joint, perhaps it's no wonder Mayer keeps his personal life to himself, his music straight and narrow and leaves his sense of humour on the net.

But wouldn't it be great to see him mix them all up?

* What do you think of Battle Studies? Post your comments below.

- © Fairfax NZ News

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Olivia   #8   12:51 pm Feb 08 2010

I agree with @Tom. I do rather like John Mayer's music, and it has taken me a while to get used to the difference in genre after Continuum. Wonderful review Chris, Sweetman seemed to review Mayer's supposed character more than his music.

chogdon   #7   02:11 am Jan 17 2010

i like mixing

rick   #6   04:41 am Dec 22 2009

Love JM but I Just listened to the Battle Studies for the first time (after I put it on my Itunes) and I hate to say it but I hated it until track 13 played. I heard this fabulous guitar in the intro and I looked at what song it was then I realized that the next Album (alphabetically) was the BBC Sessions Led Zeppelin “You Shook Me”. Too bad JM you really missed the mark with this album. Reminds me of Jack Johnson… after a while everything kinda sounds the same.

Sarah   #5   01:04 pm Dec 12 2009

boring boring boring boring boring music makes me repetitive.

Alex T   #4   03:25 pm Dec 11 2009

Heavier Things is still his best album. 'Clarity' and 'Daughters' are brilliant songs.

karl   #3   05:33 pm Dec 08 2009

I don't like John Mayer's music. I think its like the musical version of air freshener except it doesnt freshen the air, it fills the air with like cloying perfume that causes me to choke and gag.

Your problem Chris, is that you're too nice.

Tom   #2   12:46 pm Dec 08 2009

I really enjoyed the album. I thought after Continuum, trying to follow it would've been a mistake. By posting short 3min edited video's of the recording process on youtube it gave the fans an insight into the undertaking it really is to produce a record, and showed people not to expect another "Waiting on the World to Change" type single. That being said, I do think "Perfectly Lonely" is cut from a similar "Bigger than My Body" or "No Such Thing" cloth.

Also can I just say Chris, you're a hell of a lot better reviewer than Sweetman. At least you've got the presence of mind not to attack something just because it's not completely to your taste. 5 Stars on the review.

Michael   #1   10:47 am Dec 08 2009

This album is up there with all his others. John Mayer knows his sound and plays to it. I think his fans will like this album, and perhaps that is what counts!