John Mayer’s latest album, Battle Studies, came out this week and I have been enjoying it immensely. It’s hard not to compare Battle Studies to his last studio recording, Continuum, and I think that fans who were expecting more of the same will be disappointed. Instead this release seems almost “experimental” as song styles don’t appear to share a musical continuity from one track to the next. Lyrically, with the exception of a cover of Cream’s Crossroads (Which almost sounds out of place against the melancholy, quieter sounds of the rest of the album.), the album seems to be a focused on dealing with the harder parts of relationships. A subject that everybody should be able to connect with.
I’ve listened to the album start to finish multiple times now, and have some initial, albeit quick, thoughts about the play list.
Heartbreak Warfare – My favorite track on the album. It has a subtle, haunting melody reminiscent of Continuum’s I Don’t Trust Myself. This makes it the perfect song to listen to turned up with the headphones on. Lyrically strong, any couple that’s ever “gone at it” (isn’t that all couples?) will relate immediately.
All We Ever Do Is Say Goodbye – A short, quiet song seemingly about giving up on a relationship.
Half Of My Heart – The first song I’ve ever heard from Mayer with a country slant is probably the weakest song on the album. Guest vocalist Taylor Swift’s voice melds perfectly with his on the chorus, though I wish that Mayer shared a verse with her, or at least featured her voice a little more. It sounds as if her vocals were laid down over the track after the initial recording as an after thought.
Who Says – The first single off the album. It’s quiet, catchy and easy to sing along too.
Perfectly Lonely – Probably the most comparable to previous Mayer songs due to it’s direct blues influence. Lyrically I think this is one of the stronger songs on the album.
Assassin – Somewhat of an experimental song. I honestly didn’t really care for it the first time I heard it. It took listening to it a few times before I could appreciate the risk he took. Lyrically, the romanticizing comparison of a “lady killer” as an actual assassin is a stretch, but there is an intensity in the music that I really like.
Crossroads – Mayer’s cover of Cream’s Crossroads is short and funky. The only song on the album that made me want to dance. I can’t wait to hear this one performed live.
War Of My Life – A soft rock, quasi country driven sound. I don’t know anybody who wouldn’t be able to relate the lyrics to some hurting aspect of their life. A beautiful song for encapsulating, and encouraging, hurting people facing trials. This track is exactly what I’ve come to expect from the prolific song writer that Mayer is.
Edge Of Desire – Continues the intensity from War Of My Life. I can hear influences from Continuum’s Dreaming with a Broken Heart and Slow Dancing in a Burning Room. Lyrically it’s a good song to put on think about the one you love or maybe “the one that got away”.
Do You Know Me? – A song with great harmonies performed so quiet it’s almost reduced to a whisper. It has a slight jazz influence and goes a little heaver on the piano than Mayer’s other songs. Lyrically, it’s the perfect for a love song for someone you’ve yet to meet.
Fiends, Lovers, Or Nothing – A power ballad that borrows it’s sound from Continuum’s In Repair. For some reason it also reminds me of the sound that the Beatles had in their later albums.
November 20, 2009
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