New John Mayer Album (Born & Raised)

Gets my thumbs up!

And for all those haters that thinks he can't fiddle around, get over it because once again he made music that is LISTENABLE! :mrgreen:

I posted about this new Mayer CD when he started posting his "road" lyric videos. Little interest here I guess. I've been a JM fan since "Room for Squares" and I think "Born and Raised" is his best effort yet - such a stellar collective of songs and the arrangements are perfect. This one has Grammy Award all over it, imho.

Gets my thumbs up!

And for all those haters that thinks he can't fiddle around, get over it because once again he made music that is LISTENABLE! :mrgreen:

Listenable at the age of 15 at least - but good on you - there's a lot worse out there than Mr Mayer that's for sure... :mrgreen:

It is superb, definitely his best so far. Has a very different feel to Continuum, very laid back with a strong Neil Young influence on a couple of tracks.

If I Ever get Around To Living is the stand out track for me.

Gets two massive thumbs up from me. I liked it from the first listen, but love it now. A really good album.

"Walt Grace's Submarine Test, 1967" is by far my favorite on this album. I gotta believe Walt will be making his appearances on future albums. I love the Beatle-esque story song, then again, Mark Knopfler has a knack for this type songs too.

I listened to the album on Spotify. I haven't really zoned in on any particular song yet, but I liked every track. Very laid back and "organic" sounding. Love it, and will buy it as soon as some funds allow!

Welcome back, John.

It is superb, definitely his best so far. Has a very different feel to Continuum, very laid back with a strong Neil Young influence on a couple of tracks.

If I Ever get Around To Living is the stand out track for me.

Yes exactly!

I was looking for more artists that played that kind of folk country rock stuff and John Mayer hit it with this album! He even mentions After The Gold Rush in one of the songs.

It's a shame though that he didn't play any more purely electric stuff on the album and the issues he's been having with his voice lately (to some his whole career :wink:).

"Walt Grace's Submarine Test, 1967" is by far my favorite on this album. I gotta believe Walt will be making his appearances on future albums. I love the Beatle-esque story song, then again, Mark Knopfler has a knack for this type songs too.

This is quite astute! MK has just released the track titles on his upcoming double album, and one is about a Submariner !!! Quite a coincidence.

Born And Raised is a dead set classic. As Dan The Man said, every listen is a pleasure. Im up to about 9 or 10 rounds over the last six days, it's got staying power. Each song is a gem.

I think it is a great album. It reminds me of Neal Young's Harvest.

My first Mayer album, bought it yesterday.
Good, a bit too mellow, but good

This is quite astute! MK has just released the track titles on his upcoming double album, and one is about a Submariner !!! Quite a coincidence.

Born And Raised is a dead set classic. As Dan The Man said, every listen is a pleasure. Im up to about 9 or 10 rounds over the last six days, it's got staying power. Each song is a gem.

OH MAN !!! Where can I find the new MK tune ? I LOVE Knopfler....he's part of my trilogy of heros...Clapton, Knopfler & Gill.

Why are we talking about MK? Did I miss something?

Nice easy listening stuff for background music, nothing special. When you've made the big time, you can do anything you want and apparently this is something he wanted to do.

Listenable?

That's highly subjective.

I really dig late Stravinsky, Edgar Varese,
Frank Zappa and the Residents. All are highly
listenable to my ears. Some people like Boy Bands
or Lady Gaga, and find them highly listenable.

But if you dig JM, than more power to you. Nothing
wrong with that. But defense based on subjectivity
is a losing battle.

Bought it on iTunes last night....listening now. I agree, it is mellow, but a good mellow. Bare bones and right to the core. It doesn't sound heavily produced either. To put it a bit more poetically, it reminds me of a lazy summer day. Which makes it the perfect time to be released now, at least on this side of the globe :o)

And his voice sounds just as bare and raw on some tracks, but that may be due to his throat ailments. To me it only adds to the vibe, but I do hope his health stays in check.

Lyrically so far my stand outs are Age of Worry and Speak to Me. Sounds like John has done some soul searching. Who knows if it's legit, but that's not for me or anyone to judge. I enjoy his talent and that's all that matters to me. To those who don't, I encourage you to spend your time talking about things you enjoy.

Finally he has another record without that dark tone!
His past two or three records were to dark sounding.
The band his soundong more bright and that's good!

Listenable?

That's highly subjective.

I really dig late Stravinsky, Edgar Varese,
Frank Zappa and the Residents. All are highly
listenable to my ears. Some people like Boy Bands
or Lady Gaga, and find them highly listenable.

But if you dig JM, than more power to you. Nothing
wrong with that. But defense based on subjectivity
is a losing battle.

Yeah it is subjective but in most cases where folks don't find John to be listenable, it wholly has to do with their complete bias and prejudice against John and his conceived personality.

This is his best effort yet. He's searching for an identity, and I like it.

Unlike most of the other posts, I think this is one of his worst albums. I am a fan of his guitar slaying and much prefer his electric songs on his Battle Studies album.

As much as I respect you all and your opinions, I have such a hard time separating the MAN John Mayer from the MUSICIAN John Mayer. His whole public persona seems so contrived and eager-to-please that I can't enjoy his music, talented though he may be.

This is a shallow judgement, and I know it. I just prefer most of my musicians with a little less pretense and a little more passion.

As much as I respect you all and your opinions, I have such a hard time separating the MAN John Mayer from the MUSICIAN John Mayer. His whole public persona seems so contrived and eager-to-please that I can't enjoy his music, talented though he may be.

This is a shallow judgement, and I know it. I just prefer most of my musicians with a little less pretense and a little more passion.

Pretense is good in the sense that it pushes the bigger artist to walk the high wire without a net....Sting, Bono, Prince, Springsteen...I'll accept the big ego for the entertainment value of the music and "show". There's enough seriousness in today's world, a little escape is fine with me.

Back to the album itself...I noticed another cool comparison. Aside from the Neil Young nod, I think the first track has a very Van Morrison vibe too...which I like. Also, another song sounds a bit like Ray LaMontagne.

I really think John's voice is different on this one, it sounds less processed, and again, perhaps that's due to his throat issues. But I think he just wanted a more raw sound, and I dig it.

He has some good songs and he can play the guitar well, but I don't like his voice at all. It gets on my nerves after a few minutes.

He's not my cup of tea as an artist but i do respect his musical ability, to me he's one of those guitarists you'd love to hear get dirtier & meaner with his playing

I like his Continuum, Trio and Live stuff (even his early Live stuff) - I had a pre-release listen in passing and wasn't taken by the new album .

That's not really a bad thing as catchy albums normally die the death with me, and despite it being "disappointingly" mellow/laid back - I have confidence it 's hidden depths will become apparent - he is a very gifted musician ..... despite his alleged personal weaknesses (which apparently manifest themselves in his penchant for dumping hot chicks and talking about self-gratification)...... tough life.