John Mayer Continues To Impress With "Battle Studies"

It all began in 2001, with Room For Squares, John Mayer's debut album. Like the first single, "No Such Thing", the album was a story of the modern young adult, filled with songs about wondering what the hell to do with your life, love, and everything in between. Then came Heavier Things in 2003, and the saga continued. "Bigger Than My Body" was a call recognize that un-tapped potential in us all with effect-heavy guitar and soaring vocals. Three years later, in 2009, Mayer introduced himself as someone new-a bluesy, sometimes political singer-songwriter who could seriously shred on guitar. With his new sound and amazing chops, everyone wondered where he would go next--finally, in November of 2009, we found out...
As it turns out, Mayer produced a dark, effect-ridden study of heartbreak and self-reflection, making Battle Studies his most personal album yet. Many have said that Studies is a huge let-down after the technically brilliant Continuum. I beg to differ. Here is my case for this great album, starting with a track-by-track breakdown and ending in a statement as to why you need to go out and buy this album if you haven't already.

Hearbreak Warfare-Instantly starting the album out with a name that plays on "love is a battlefield", the track starts with the raising of an orchestra and random chatter. Then comes the guitar...a warped, twisted, hazy sound. In essence, the song is about nasty fights between a couple-the distinction comes in the war-themed lyrics (clouds of sulfur in air, bombs are falling everywhere...) A dark song, to be sure, but a beautiful one at the same time.

All We Ever Do Is Say Goodbye-One of the tracks I keep coming back to the most. Like the opening lyrics to Continuum's "I Don't Trust Myself With Loving You", this song pulls you in from the get-go: "Just when I had you off my head, your voice comes thrashing wildly through my quiet bed..." If you've been there, you know how much it sucks. What follows are lyrics filled with pain mixed with a clear acoustic guitar and an emotional electric solo. Mayer's emotion really comes through on this one, making it one of the best on the album.

Half Of My Heart-I repeated this one the most when the album first came out, and maybe that's because it's faster pace set's it apart from the first two tracks. This includes a "duet" with Taylor Swift, though in a tolerable dose because Swift merely backs the chorus and echoes some lyrics at one point. This is perhaps one of the most personal songs on the album, though it's also the most pop-ish, making it a little weaker in contrast to the rest of the album.

Who Says-The first single from the album, and certainly the most personal. Here, Mayer pauses to reflect his media image and what he's become. "Who says I can't be free from all of the things I used to be, re-write my history?" It's a sort of FU to the celebrity status Mayer has acquired, yet the song speaks to more than just him, making it one of my favorites of the album.

Perfectly Lonely-One of the louder, more upbeat songs on the album. While the majority of the album is a commentary on heartbreak, this is all about being single and fine with it. It's really all about that feeling that comes with your friends asking you if you're doing alright without a lady-you can only keep telling them you're fine. "I don't belong to anybody and nobody belongs to me."

Assassin-By far the most experimental track on the album, "Assassin" features unique percussion, dark lyrics, and some crazy guitar. At it's core, the song is about a one-night stand, and leaving without attached feelings. It's not until repeated listenings that this becomes clear, however. The combination of sound and lyrics places this not only as one of the best of the album, but of all of Mayer's songs.

Crossroads-Sadly, I can't say much for this. All you need to know is that it's a cover of an Eric Clapton signature song, and it really feels like filler.

War of My Life-The "dark horse" of the album, this track is quiet but well spoken. The guitar tone is crisp and beautiful, and the lyrics, which are brilliant, are the most ambiguous on the album. In a lot of ways, this makes it one of the more relatable songs on the album. In any case, this is song that I think won't be realized for it's brilliance until years down the road.

Edge of Desire-The best track on the album, hands down. I can't fully describe in words what makes it so great-what I can say is that it's lyrics are some of the most impressive I've ever heard, the guitar is incredible, and the emotional build is pretty un-paralleled-the closest I've heard to it is Coldplay's "Fix You". That's all I'll say for this one, as you should go listen for yourself and see what I mean.

Do You Know Me-Like "War Of My Life", this is a quieter track, as well as the least emotional on the album (besides "Crossroads") Still, it's one of my favorites, especially for it's great guitar sound.

Friends, Lovers, Or Nothing-The title says it all for this one. Most comparable to Continuum's "I'm Gonna Find Another You", this is a sort of "kiss off" song. While it's not one of my favorites from the album (especially because of how repetitive it is), it fits well as the album closer, like someone finally moving on after a nasty heartbreak.

Overall, Battle Studies is Mayer's darkest and slowest material yet, but it's also some of his very best. The composition in each is very well crafted, and the lyrics stand out as quite possibly the best he's ever written. While the album isn't getting the credit it deserves, mostly because it's sitting in the shadow of Continuum, I think that looking back, Battle Studies will stand as some of Mayer's best work.

Grade: B+