new John Mayer - Heavier Things

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What do you think of this album? I think it's really good; much better than Room for Squares.

― A Nairn (moretap), Friday, 12 September 2003 01:18 (twenty-two years ago)

soccer moms will love it.

― fields of salmon (fieldsofsalmon), Friday, 12 September 2003 02:24 (twenty-two years ago)

That's an insult to soccer moms.

― Nicolars (Nicole), Friday, 12 September 2003 02:25 (twenty-two years ago)

I'd like to drop heavier things on his head.

― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Friday, 12 September 2003 02:30 (twenty-two years ago)

but rolling stone gave it FOUR STARS. FOUR STARS PEOPLE.

― bill stevens (bscrubbins), Friday, 12 September 2003 03:40 (twenty-two years ago)

it's soo much cooler sounding than the last album, there's horns on it.

― A Nairn (moretap), Friday, 12 September 2003 03:51 (twenty-two years ago)

John Mayers is kinda like me, in that he makes music thats good for just himself in his room with his 4-track and he can make a tape of it and drive around ant think to himself, "Hey, I did this", but I don't think either of us deserve public recognition.

― Helltime Producto (Pavlik), Friday, 12 September 2003 04:00 (twenty-two years ago)

I heard a song on the radio a few weeks ago that sounded a whole lot like John Mayer was singing and if it was, he's at least taking steps in the right direction.

― My name is Kenny (My name is Kenny), Friday, 12 September 2003 04:19 (twenty-two years ago)

yeah, that's what it is: steps in the right direction.

― A Nairn (moretap), Friday, 12 September 2003 04:37 (twenty-two years ago)

Rolling Stone operates in a bizarro world.

― ham on rye (ham on rye), Friday, 12 September 2003 04:54 (twenty-two years ago)

what's the deal with folks like john mayer and dave matthews? why do they have such great success in the states? they are so BORING! (really, can anyone explain this to me, i'd be grateful).

― Jay Kid (Jay K), Friday, 12 September 2003 09:40 (twenty-two years ago)

big dicks, score chicks.

― Chris V. (Chris V), Friday, 12 September 2003 11:40 (twenty-two years ago)

"they are so BORING!"

But the point of this thread is that despite the possible success and the boringness you would expect from a new John Mayer album the new one is in fact not really too boring and is a good step in the right direction and hopefully more similar steps could be taken.

― A Nairn (moretap), Friday, 12 September 2003 13:51 (twenty-two years ago)

It will debut at the top of the album chart in america next week.

― teeny (teeny), Friday, 12 September 2003 15:12 (twenty-two years ago)

Rolling Stone 4 Star Review = 4 major label ads in said issue...

― earlnash, Friday, 12 September 2003 15:16 (twenty-two years ago)

why do they have such great success in the states?

People here have exceptionally low standards. That's why.

― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Friday, 12 September 2003 15:26 (twenty-two years ago)

Alex, your initial comment made my morning, by the way.

"All Things Considered," for some ungodly reason, ran a breathy, 15-minute John Mayer interview (with acoustic guitar accompaniment) in the key 5:30 slot a few days ago (the same slot that's typically given over to multi-part, in-depth examinations of complex issues over a series of days).

Based on this interview, I can say this about John Mayer: he's one of the most smug and self-obsessed artists to come down the pike in a long while. The highlight was his story about keeping an interviewer waiting in an Australian hotel lobby because INSPIRATION HAD STRUCK and Mayer had to stay in his room and work out this new song - which he then played, in its entirety. It was about fathers (and mothers) being good to their daughters.

― Sam J. (samjeff), Friday, 12 September 2003 15:41 (twenty-two years ago)

his is a face made for long shot. unfortunately his new video makes generous use of the fish-eye close-up.

― amateurist (amateurist), Friday, 12 September 2003 16:54 (twenty-two years ago)

"John Mayer: he's one of the most smug and self-obsessed artists to come down the pike in a long while."

I think I heard the last part of that interview, he is a choad, especially the part where he felt touched by god or something, so he "knows" what he has just written is good. Mind you... he stated it has happened to him 3 or 4 times already in his songwriting career. Then the guy blathers about how Stevie Ray Vaughn is his primary influence...criminy.

― earlnash, Friday, 12 September 2003 17:04 (twenty-two years ago)

he is a choad

I SO love that word.

― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Friday, 12 September 2003 18:29 (twenty-two years ago)

no, he is a turbo-choad.

― Mike Taylor (mjt), Friday, 12 September 2003 20:11 (twenty-two years ago)

i'm usually pretty pollyannaish when it comes to pop radio, but this guy really is awful. i hope his second record tanks and we've seen the last of him.

― amateurist (amateurist), Friday, 12 September 2003 22:31 (twenty-two years ago)

you guys are hilarious, and I agree.. even the title is boring! I've seen this guy in concert (only because the Counting Crows were co-headlining) and I swear that I would have nodded off during his lacklustre set if it weren't for preppy 14-year old girls screaming along to his every word. By the end of the concert most of the older Mayer fans had to admit that he was way, way, WAY outshone by the Crows.

― AllieR, Saturday, 13 September 2003 03:59 (twenty-two years ago)

Upstaged. By the Counting Crows. Who I've heard have one of the least interesting live acts in history.

― My name is Kenny (My name is Kenny), Saturday, 13 September 2003 06:56 (twenty-two years ago)

Yep, #1 this week.

― teeny (teeny), Tuesday, 16 September 2003 17:44 (twenty-two years ago)

So, has anyone heard any of it yet, and like it?

― A Nairn (moretap), Thursday, 18 September 2003 23:42 (twenty-two years ago)

I haven't but a friend of mine bought it -- and when I expressed surprise, I was further bemused because she bought it specifically for one song with a guest drummer...

?uestlove

I'm still figuring that one out.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Friday, 19 September 2003 01:45 (twenty-two years ago)

Buying an album because of the drummer is a strange phenom. But, y'know, if people buy the new Joke album because of Dave Grohl, I suppose that's alright.

― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Friday, 19 September 2003 02:00 (twenty-two years ago)

there's that interview w/?uestlove in the new Believer in which he sez that "Mayer wants to make his Voodoo so fucking bad" but his record company wouldn't let him do more than one song w/?uest due to contractual obligations.

― M Matos (M Matos), Friday, 19 September 2003 02:14 (twenty-two years ago)

"Mayer wants to make his Voodoo so fucking bad"

Eurgh, now I'm imagining Mayer trying to do a D'Angelo video (I still recall with glee Dan's comment that when his wife saw the one vid where D'Angelo was stripped to skin, she noted his looks downward and said it was him wondering who the random lady sucking him off was).

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Friday, 19 September 2003 02:19 (twenty-two years ago)

Just listened to it, and I think it's kinda sexy in a vanilla (note: I did not say "white") sort of way--sure, he sings like Dave Matthews (who I can't stand much) but without the P Gabriel/ Sting self-absorption or weird gargling noises. Definitely tiptoeing his way toward interesting. I'd give his Voodoo a spin.

― Keith Harris (kharris1128), Friday, 19 September 2003 03:37 (twenty-two years ago)

Somehow I can't see Sasha Frere-Jones putting down folks for being anti-pop snobs for disliking Mayer. Not sure if Mayer will ever have a "Cry me a River." I hear Mayer's got lyrics on the new cd about spirituality and "deep" stuff so he may be heading towards Sting territory.

He was on CBS Sunday morning once making self-absorbed comments about how he once "merely" wanted to be as big a success as Buddy Guy and never dreamed he'd become so successful. Ugh.

― Steve Kiviat (Steve K), Saturday, 20 September 2003 04:33 (twenty-two years ago)

he makes me want to punch myself in my nose

― chaki, Saturday, 20 September 2003 06:43 (twenty-two years ago)

Buying an album because of the drummer is a strange phenom.

I've bought several albums because of the drummer. For me, a good drummer can redeem even a *very* bad album.

― Siegbran (eofor), Saturday, 20 September 2003 14:54 (twenty-two years ago)

i heard his new single and, yeah, it does seem a step in the right direction, although i still don't like his showy jazz chords and breathy vocals.

― amateurist (amateurist), Saturday, 20 September 2003 23:10 (twenty-two years ago)

two months pass...

"Somehow I can't see Sasha Frere-Jones putting down folks for being anti-pop snobs for disliking Mayer."

That really just means it's pop music that it's NOT okay for hipsters to like, though.

― Clarke B., Sunday, 30 November 2003 22:39 (twenty-two years ago)

I hate John Mayer. Can't stand the man.

I'd like to drop heavier things on his head.

Alex, I agree!

― Aja (aja), Sunday, 30 November 2003 22:41 (twenty-two years ago)

"Somehow I can't see Sasha Frere-Jones putting down folks for being anti-pop snobs for disliking Mayer."

That really just means it's pop music that it's NOT okay for hipsters to like, though.

That's because you don't have to be an anti-pop snob to hate Mayer. The most geniune pop-listeners I know (ie 100% indie-guilt free) think he's boring just like I do. (Mind, I don't hate the fucker, I just don't want to listen to him.) Mayer sells records in America the same way Radiohead does, only some of the college kids buying his records are different and he gets four stars from Rolling Stone instead of a 10 from pitchfork. He's pop because he sells records, but sells records to people who like him because he writes his own songs and plays guitar or whatever. He's like the american BBMak or something.

― Sonny A. (Keiko), Sunday, 30 November 2003 23:23 (twenty-two years ago)

haha I'm like this close to buying Heavier Things.

― Anthony Miccio (Anthony Miccio), Monday, 1 December 2003 00:43 (twenty-two years ago)

If you can stand his voice, anthony, go for it. I've heard it 100+ times at work and sometimes think I would like it if there weren't certain things about him I can't stand (#1 his voice, #2 the lyrics). But then they play it five times more in a row and I want to die.

― Sonny A. (Keiko), Monday, 1 December 2003 00:52 (twenty-two years ago)

I think anything would annoy me if I heard it 100+ times at work. But he's a fairly witty singer compared to most of the stuff I hear in the mainstream these days. Sure random lines will annoy me (I could kill the "I am invincible" bridge on "No Such Thing") but other lines will impress. He's definitely one of the funniest guys I've read interviews of lately and I like the fact that he genuinely seems to want to evolve as an artist (say what you will about whether or not it succeeds, but "Your Body Is A Wonderland" proves the guy has serious cojones compared to his peers). I kind of look at him as a sell-out Travis Morrison and I'm curious to hear more. I've only heard "Bigger Than My Body" once or twice and I really didn't mind it.

― Anthony Miccio (Anthony Miccio), Monday, 1 December 2003 01:04 (twenty-two years ago)

He rips off Dave Grohl with his lyrics in "Bigger Than My Body."

I hate John Mayer.

― Aja (aja), Monday, 1 December 2003 01:07 (twenty-two years ago)

what lines did he steal?

― Anthony Miccio (Anthony Miccio), Monday, 1 December 2003 01:08 (twenty-two years ago)

You didn't see my thread One Big Rip OFF?

― Aja (aja), Monday, 1 December 2003 01:09 (twenty-two years ago)

I just checked it. It doesn't sound to me like he's actually ripping Dave off (lots of singers use words like "color," "fly" and "big") but I might even like the song more if it's actually a secret love letter to the work of Dave Grohl.

― Anthony Miccio (Anthony Miccio), Monday, 1 December 2003 01:13 (twenty-two years ago)

Doesn't Jonh Mayer also say "shed your skin"? Dave wrote a song (on a single) and he says "Now I'm allowed to shed my skin"? Also John Mayer says "tangled in the powerlines" or something like that. Dave says in one song "tangled in your headwires" or something like that. It's not exactly the same but very simalar. It's possible Dave is an influence on John Mayer and so he's ripping him off. Kurt cobain did the same when he wrote "Come as You are". Kurt was a big fan of Killig Joke.

― Aja (aja), Monday, 1 December 2003 01:24 (twenty-two years ago)

Forgot the "n" in Killing Joke. Sorry

― Aja (aja), Monday, 1 December 2003 01:28 (twenty-two years ago)

I like the fact that he genuinely seems to want to evolve as an artist

Did he actually say this?

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Monday, 1 December 2003 01:56 (twenty-two years ago)

everything he says about Heavier Things is usually referenced in relation to the previous album and not in the usual "we taking it to the next level" kind of thing. And all that talk upthread about him wanting to make his own Voodoo implies he's definitely interested in more than being Dave Matthews Jr. for life.

His Stevie Ray Vaughn fetish scares the shit out of me though.

Wow, if I could ask Mayer about all the Dave Grohl lines in that song I totally would right now. I'd also like to give him a copy of the D-Plan's Change, which I think would be right up his alley.

― Anthony Miccio (Anthony Miccio), Monday, 1 December 2003 02:04 (twenty-two years ago)

Let's please not discuss Killing Joke on a thread about John Mayer.

― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Monday, 1 December 2003 12:56 (twenty-two years ago)

one month passes...

John Mayer is one of the most talented guitar players/musicians/singer/songwriters in the world. I highly doubt that any of you could ever even come close to what this guy has done. Your body is a wonderl;and is a great yet simple song, that would take you all about 15 years to write, so until you all release a hit as good as that, don't rag on john.

― Ryan Goff, Monday, 5 January 2004 20:23 (twenty-two years ago)

yes yes, not one of you could motivate a country half as well as Hitler, so don't you go criticising him. It'd take you at least 15 years to become anywhere near as genocidally insane as him.

― Nick Southall (Nick Southall), Monday, 5 January 2004 20:28 (twenty-two years ago)

This is a most retarded debate.

― Naive Teen Idol (Naive Teen Idol), Monday, 5 January 2004 20:30 (twenty-two years ago)

Matt; ILX is retarded.

― Nick Southall (Nick Southall), Monday, 5 January 2004 20:31 (twenty-two years ago)

So it would seem.

Seriously, though: is Ryan Goff kidding? Or is he, like, 12 years old?

― Naive Teen Idol (Naive Teen Idol), Monday, 5 January 2004 20:34 (twenty-two years ago)

I can write better songs than "Your Body is a Wonderland"

― Curt1s St3ph3ns, Monday, 5 January 2004 20:38 (twenty-two years ago)

Please don't.

― Naive Teen Idol (Naive Teen Idol), Monday, 5 January 2004 20:39 (twenty-two years ago)

fuck Wesley Willis could write simpler and catchier songs than John Mayer

― Curt1s St3ph3ns, Monday, 5 January 2004 20:41 (twenty-two years ago)

Please, please don't.

― Naive Teen Idol (Naive Teen Idol), Monday, 5 January 2004 20:44 (twenty-two years ago)

I really, really want this Ryan Goff lad to come back to this thread. I think he'll look nice without his head and ass.

― Naive Teen Idol (Naive Teen Idol), Monday, 5 January 2004 20:46 (twenty-two years ago)

one month passes...

It's all an opinion thing. I am a HUGE fan of John and I really believe hes a true artist. I think you guys seem to hate him simply because he is confident. Big deal, you know? There's nothing wrong with being confident in yourself and your work. He's worked on his music for over half of his life and I think he deserves his success. You may not like him, but that dosen't not make him a true artist. Stop being closed minded, just because he isn't the classic rock-n-roll we all know dosen't mean he isn't talented. This guy is good. Face it.

― bob heaton, Tuesday, 2 March 2004 16:44 (twenty-one years ago)

No, the guy is mediocre.....at best. Face it.

― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Tuesday, 2 March 2004 16:47 (twenty-one years ago)

I also agree, john is a very talented artist. The truth is, he out there in the world writing new, evolving material, doing what he loves! Rag on him all you want, the man is a great entertainer, and i for one quite enjoy his music.

― darrin wiebe, Thursday, 4 March 2004 01:42 (twenty-one years ago)

Charming.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Thursday, 4 March 2004 02:41 (twenty-one years ago)

two weeks pass...

fuck. this is the next album I'm buying. I'm enjoying the two single far, far too much. what the hell is wrong with me.

You know, over xmas I had the same impulse to buy this (BEFORE I heard "Clarity," which is why I'm finally buying it now) that I got with Kelly Osbourne and Good Charlotte, where I just knew through some perverse way that I'd love the album. I'm not resisting that urge again.

― Anthony Miccio (Anthony Miccio), Saturday, 20 March 2004 20:28 (twenty-one years ago)

haha I describe said impulse upthread! Didn't realize. Anyhow I feel weird enough about wanting to buy this that I'll happily accept mockery and disdain for it...except from folks who have publicly praised Coldplay, who are WAY more mawkish than the singles off this album. ESPECIALLY "Clocks."

― Anthony Miccio (Anthony Miccio), Saturday, 20 March 2004 20:32 (twenty-one years ago)

what if I say I like you and john mayer and coldplay?

― teeny (teeny), Sunday, 21 March 2004 18:11 (twenty-one years ago)

then why would you mock me though?

― Anthony Miccio (Anthony Miccio), Sunday, 21 March 2004 18:13 (twenty-one years ago)

and I got in SO much trouble the last time I talked to you about Coldplay.

― Anthony Miccio (Anthony Miccio), Sunday, 21 March 2004 18:23 (twenty-one years ago)

I don't even remember that! I was just teasing anyway.

― teeny (teeny), Sunday, 21 March 2004 18:41 (twenty-one years ago)

haha I'm so not reviving that thread. ever.

You're John Mayer approval is seriously appreciated, however.

― Anthony Miccio (Anthony Miccio), Sunday, 21 March 2004 18:46 (twenty-one years ago)

John Mayer is the very personification of mush-mouthe mediocrity.

― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Sunday, 21 March 2004 20:13 (twenty-one years ago)

Wow, lots of negativity here.

Mayer's a talented songwriter and guitar player. Room For Squares and Heavier Things are two great albums, though I think the two biggest radio singles off of Room For Squares ("Your Body Is A Wonderland" and "No Such Thing") are the worst songs on the album. He does seem to worship Stevie Ray Vaughan, and imitation being the sincerest form of flattery, he covers SRV quite a bit in live shows.

He did an Austin City Limits episode in which Buddy Guy guested on two songs, and Double Trouble (SRV's backing band) guested on two songs. He covered Vaughan's "Empty Arms," doing a remarkably good job on guitar and vocals. He covered Vaughan's "Lenny" in his live DVD concert, Any Given Thursday.

I'd only suggest that those criticizing him after hearing only a few radio singles give the live CD or DVD (Any Given Thursday) a listen.

Russ

― Russ, Thursday, 1 April 2004 01:33 (twenty-one years ago)

You are a blithe, trusting soul.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Thursday, 1 April 2004 01:35 (twenty-one years ago)

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