Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 21-25 of 475
 Just Another Filler Album from John Mayer... October 2, 2006
Alex B. Appelbaum
7 out of 14 found this review helpful
When John Mayer hit the mainstream pop charts with his debut album Room for Squares, he gained both the attention of the pop world and the jazz/blues world with his infectious combination of soulful guitar riffs, witty lyrics, and catchy melodies. But he left his fans wondering which direction he would take. True, John had opened himself up to a wide variety of musical avenues to choose from, but what would his fans have to say about a drastic move one way or the other? With the release of his second studio album, Heavier Things, Mayer put emphasis on his blues roots, steering clear of his previously acoustic-heavy style with the exception of "Daughters". John, instead, opted to go with a clean cut electric guitar sound. Strangely enough, the only track that recieved above average recognition from his fans was "Daughters", the sole acoustic track on the album. However, this did not discourage John from diving deeper into his pool of generic electric guitar sounds and repetitive, predictable vocal lines. His live project, John Mayer Trio, was a nice reminder of how good a live performer John is, however, did not present us with a particularly impressive setlist.
Now we have reached the album Continuum, which is just that: a continued effort on John's part to promote his "artsy" sound. John has now completely abandoned his acoustic guitar and instead lulls you to sleep with the same predictable blues riffs in every track. Instead of witty lyrics and catchy melodies, you hear blues standards and generic lyrics about love and politics. Overall, Continuum is lackluster and unimpressive to say the least. Hopefully John will refind the balance of styles that made him so successful in the first place.
 Waiting On The World To Change September 13, 2006
Pam (High Point, NC)
6 out of 10 found this review helpful
John Mayer never ceases to impress me with his unique and refreshing music.
1 - Waiting On The World To Change - One of my favorites. It's about taking action, and not just waiting for things to happen around you. Really makes you think. 5/5
"Just keep waiting, waiting on the world to change"
2 - I Don't Trust Myself - An ok song. Not particularly wonderful. 3/5
3 - Belief - A meaningful song about life, and about how belief's hold us back. 4/5
4 - Gravity - A very slow and pleasing song about fighting resistance. 4/5
"gravity is working against me, and gravity, wants to bring me down"
5 - The Heart Of Life - a classic sounding song, Very meaningful and beautiful. 5/5
"pain throws your heart to the ground, loves ties the whole thing around.."
6 - Vultures - A rather inspiring song about the worlds challenges. Mild falsetto. 4/5
7 - Stop This Train - A very slow and deep song. Beautiful instrumentals. 5/5
"I know I can't, but honestly, won't someone stop this train"
8 - Slow Dancing In A Burning Room - An introspective look on a relationship. One of my favorites. 5/5
9 - Bold As Love - A highly instrumental song with strong and inspiring lyrics. 4.5/5
10 - Dreaming With A Broken Heart - My absolulte favorite. A slow song with the most beautiful and touching lyrics. 5/5.
"When you're dreaming with a broken heart, the waking up is the hardest part."
11 - In Repair - An interesting and beautiful song about healing from a relationship problem. 4.5/5
12 - I'm Gonna Find Another You - The comeback song from a relationship breakup. 4/5
"It's really over, you may just stare, you got me crying, as was your plan. When my loneliness is through, I'm gonna find another you."
John Mayer - Continuum September 17, 2006
Mark C. Smith (Boulder, CO)
6 out of 7 found this review helpful
I first heard about Continuum in early 2005, when Mayer referred to his project by this title. He deliberately took his time with this record, working on-and-off with the material for the better part of two years. Though some incorrectly interpreted this as a sign that Mayer had lost artistic direction while engaging in his many side collaborations, he knew what he was doing by taking his time: he wanted every note to feel right. The arrival of Continuum this week proves that it was worth the wait.
Part of me expected this to be a record that would fuse the folk/pop of Room for Squares and the subject matter of Heavier Things with the blues sensibilities explored on last year's Try! The John Mayer Trio Live in Concert, particularly the uptempo tracks "Who Did You Think I Was" and "Try." While there are elements of all these things in Mayer's new record, the overall feel is soulful and relaxed. This record is the work of a man who has matured as an artist. That is not to discount his earlier work, but if you're looking for an album of songs resembling "Your Body is a Wonderland," you need to look elsewhere. The magic of Continuum comes from its honesty, its tasteful use of melodic, harmonic, and rhythmic materials, and the subtle, nuanced playing from Mayer and his colleagues (including both Steve Jordan and Pino Palladino - the other two thirds of the John Mayer Trio).
The album's first single and opening track, "Waiting on the World to Change," addresses the frustrations that many people in this country have with the current political situation. Intelligently written, it may be the closest thing to an anti-war anthem that the current 18-35 year-old generation has come up with. At times more of an apology and explanation than call-to-action, Mayer sings of the world and its leaders "we just feel like we don't have the means to rise above and beat it" and "it's not that we don't care / we just know that the fight ain't fair." A ballsy choice as a first single from the record. The album's third track "Belief" follows up on some of these ideas. Under an infectious minor-key groove, Mayer sings "we're never gonna win the world / we're never gonna stop the war / we're never gonna beat this if belief is what we're fighting for."
Both "Gravity" and "Vultures" will be familiar to those of Mayer's fans who purchased last year's release, Try! The John Mayer Trio Live in Concert. The songs are fully realized here: "Gravity" feels more relaxed and natural than the Try! version, and "Vultures" - an R&B-tinged song about Mayer confronting his fear of losing his artistic edge - succeeds admirably here.
The fingerpicked "Stop This Train," musically harkening back to "3x5" from Room for Squares and "Wheel" from Heavier Things, explores the mortality of our parents and ourselves, as well as the constant forward motion of time and our inability to change things back to their previous state. The track features some of the strongest vocals that Mayer has ever delivered. In fact, that could be said of the whole album: Mayer has more control of his voice than on his previous records.
"In Repair" describes the ongoing personal struggle of moving on from a failed relationship. The guitar solo here, the best on a record full of excellent ones, speaks as eloquently as the words. The album closer, "I'm Gonna Find Another You," another post-break up number, is a poignant, clever and sexy song with a timeless feel that couldn't have found a better position on the record.
Continuum is the first of Mayer's studio records that he produced himself (he co-produced it with drummer Steve Jordan). The production is outstanding - simple and clean. The packaging is similarly beautiful.
Mayer has called Continuum the culmination of everything he has done so far as an artist. It will certainly be exciting to see where he goes from here.
4.5/5
 BORING! September 20, 2006
Timothy Earhart
6 out of 47 found this review helpful
If you truly like JM and understand just how unique his previous projects were, you will NOT like the latest. Maturity... No! Boring... yes! No longer a unique sound.
All I have to say... Who cares?
Making His Mark September 25, 2006
H TERESA K
6 out of 8 found this review helpful
This is the real thing. He is the real thing. Very original and that is quite clear no from this CD. What were some people thinking? Good show John!
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