Here's the review I wrote for John Mayer's Continuum for those who might be interested:
John Mayer - Continuum Review
I first heard John Mayer while driving home from work one day in 2001 shortly after his album Room for Squares was released. The song was "No Such Thing" and I really liked it. I especially loved the line, "I just found out there's no such thing as the real world, Just a lie you've got to rise above." His voice belies his age and I swore he was someone in his forties like me. Such a cynical line in such a poppy tune. I loved it.
I must confess I got quickly bored with the young man shortly after the release of "Your Body Is A Wonderland," which was probably the least favorite song of mine on his otherwise very listenable album. I bought the CD but it was put away and not thought of again until he emerged with The John Mayer Trio and the album "Try!" It made me sit up and take notice. This kid was more than just another pretty face. I loved this album. It was more in line with my musical taste and I have to admit being a bit disappointed to hear The John Mayer Trio was going on hiatus.
However, with the release of Continuum John Mayer has proven quite adept at blending his pop sensibilities with his blues and rock inspirations. There is something here for fans of all John Mayer's incarnations. There's political awareness, themes of growing old and of course the typical but sometimes insightful perspectives of love.
John Mayer is proving himself to be one of the best guitarists of his generation and continues the great tradition of singer-songwriter. Indeed, he is definitely more than a pretty face. His themes may be the same but there's a little more depth to them.
The CD opens with "Waiting On The World To Change," which also happens to be the first single off the album. With this song John Mayer offers an explanation of his generation's apparent lack of any kind political passion and it's basic inactivity. It is powered along by Mayer's impassioned voice. The voice that made me believe he was my age, not someone young enough to be my son.
His themes of love now include the darker side of love. "Slow Dancing In A Burning Room," shows Mayer as the man who is disillusioned with his "Your Body Is A Wonderland" love after a few bad years. It's a cold and cynical view of love. Oddly enough it's my favorite of his love-themed songs. That's probably due to the excellent guitar work Mayer provides. The soulful, slowhand stylings of Eric Clapton can be heard in this one.
Other offerings that stand out are "Vultures," "Belief" and his Jimi Hendrix cover, "Bold As Love," a wonderfully performed song that shows John Mayer is quite capable of playing guitar as the best of them. "Stop This Train" has John Mayer morphing into Sting. A very soulful song with jazzy undertones, visiting the theme of aging. I wish I could assure this young man he is aging just fine and it's not all that bad when you get to your parent's age.
For anyone who enjoyed John Mayer in any of his incarnations, pop or blues/rock or if you never liked him at all, I highly recommend at least giving this album a listen. You might just be surprised to find that he isn't what you thought he was. There is more depth and talent than you might think if all you remember him for is "Your Body Is A Wonderland" and "No Such Thing."