John Mayer - Battle Studies
John Mayer is a virtuoso guitar player and a unique, amazing vocalist. When he comes out with an album, expectations are high. We expect to be blown away, to hear something revolutionary, or at least something that evokes the revolutionaries of the past (the John Mayer Trio is known to do some good covers, and has been called a "surprisingly convincing mini-Stevie Ray Vaughn"). Anything less is considered disappointing.
Mayer's new album, Battle Studies, is solid, but not spectacular. You will hear many people who deride it as a lesser effort, as "lazy" or boring, but I urge you not to dismiss it so quickly. Battle Studies is a pleasant listen, with pretty good (though occasionally a bit contrived) songwriting and interesting, mellow instrumentation. It may not stand up well next to his previous efforts, and his song "featuring" Taylor Swift is clearly a marketing ploy, but on it's own merit it is one of the best chill albums of the year.
That being said, I won't be posting a track-specific review, because a lot of this album does run together. It is great background music, with some romantic moments that make this a good soundtrack for date night with that special someone. It is distinctively John Mayer, and there isn't a sour note on the album. However, there seriously isn't one specific track that stands out, so unless you like very chill music or are obsessed with John Mayer, save your money for the new...
I wasn't sure I liked this album when I first got it. It had one awesome song, with a pretty sweet video, that intrigued me enough to give it a shot (you can see the video here). Owl City is the brainchild of synthpop happy kid Adam Young, and his infectious enthusiasm makes Ocean Eyes almost impossible not to like. It is the epitome of happy music, the antithesis of modern rock music. Ocean Eyes is the kind of wholesome music that parents can let their kids listen to, or that kids can let their parents listen to.
Adam Young's childlike charm is evident on the huge first single, "Fireflies." Young makes Seattle, romance, and even dental care into whimsical musical journeys. There isn't a lot of depth to the music or the lyrics, but somehow Young manages to make this light-hearted and enjoyable without letting us worry about little things like "Why would anyone write about a trip to the dentist?" or "Why am I enjoying this song about a trip to the dentist?"
Owl City is heavily influenced by The Postal Service, to the point of nearly being a blatant rip-off of Ben Gibbard's electronica efforts. However, it isn't like Postal Service is releasing anything new these days, so don't worry about the naysayers (Let them nay, I say!). Enjoy this album and smile.Staying Power
As for the older albums we've reviewed, here's where they rank after several months, and how their music stands the test of time:
Death Cab for Cutie - Narrow Stairs gets a 3, because it is still a fun album to listen to, and the music isn't too grating. There is something about Ben Gibbard's voice that never gets old. It wasn't his best work, but it was a good album.
The Fray- The Fray gets a 4 thanks to a memorable, listenable lineup of songs, and the added bonus of hearing two different lead vocalists on one album. If you've got the extra talent, you might as well use it!
Red - Innocence and Instinct gets a 5. When even your bonus tracks become successful singles, you know you've done something right. Red is the kind of band whose music never really gets old. I'd urge you even now to check this one out.
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