Neon Reviews: John Mayer – Battle Studies

John Mayer - Battle Studies

It must be nice to be John Mayer. He’s an unbelievable guitarist, a pretty funny amateur comedian, and even when he makes what may be one of his least memorable albums to date, it’s still pretty damn good.

When listening to John Mayer’s previous work, its generally not hard to guess what he listens to for inspiration. Based on his style, approach, and covers during the span of his career, he’s probably gone through phases in which his ipod has been stuck on everything encompassing folk, soul, blues, and of course, rock n roll.

So what was he listening to during the months he spent recording his new album in his rented Los Angeles home? Probably a lot of John Mayer. Not that that’s a bad thing.

On Battle Studies, Mayer continues to churn out well crafted and articulate soft rock, minus some of the class and soul of Continuum or the fire and rawness of his far-too-brief trio excursion on Try!

With his latest release, Mayer tries to show us his sensitive side by likening his emotional trials and tribulations to a constant metaphorical war, often juxtaposed with upbeat, easy to swallow pop tunes. Despite Mayer’s gift for guitar, he tones it down a bit this time around. Don’t expect anything too over the top, save for a few echoed guitars that sound like they were produced by U2 themselves.

As always, he’s at his best when he drops the dramatics and sticks to his honest and quirky self. Songs like “Who Says” and “Do You Know Me” are welcomed breaks from songs about assassins of love and heartbreak-bombs. It’s the short, intimate, and honest little bursts of creativity on this album that remind us that Mayer is more than just a pop heartthrob.

The truth is, Mayer is a funky guy, no matter how hard he tries to hide it, and he lets it loose on his cover of the Robert Johnson classic “Crossroads.”  Unfortunately, right now, funky is not his prerogative.

For better or worse, the majority of the album focuses on Mayer’s failed relationship with Jennifer Aniston, or what could very likely be any number of young ladies that most people will assume are Jennifer Aniston. But no matter, after a few listens clever albeit cheesy songs like “Half of my Heart,” which features Taylor Swift, become more catchy than anything.

By the end of the closing ballad “Friends, Lovers, or Nothing,” you probably wouldn’t fight someone if they wanted to replay the album, which would be a good decision because it only gets better with more listens. Despite any personal drama he may have suffered, John Mayer clearly hasn’t been beaten up enough to stop doing what he does best. Making good music.