So I have been waiting a little impatiently for a new release. Mayer teased me last year with his live album, Where The Light Is: John Mayer Live In Los Angeles, which was released on June 30, 2008.  At last, he has given his ravenous fans something new to devour.

With the first listen through, I was a little taken aback by Battle Studies. I, honestly, was not sure what I thought of it.  I was ready to write a bad review, to tell you how this album is so disappointingly far from Continuum, to tell you how it was not at all what I have been anticipating. But, in order to be fair, I thought it deserved another listen. After giving it a second chance and setting aside any previous expectations, I found a new appreciation for Battle Studies.

I think, initially, I had a hard time with the album because I really wanted Continuum again. But in many ways Battle Studies is not similar to Continuum. The sooner I recognized this and accepted it, the sooner I was able to enjoy the album.  So, if you were like me and were expecting a revolutionary Continuum-like album, then get that out of your mind. You wont like Battle Studies at all if that’s the case. Once you’ve accepted that, you will notice that the lyrics on the album are definitely very good and well written. And, of course, Mayer is always going to produce something that tickles the ear.  Not so much that you cannot handle the tickle after a song of two, but you will find that you can play Battle Studies and let John Mayer warm your heart with each track.

It one of those albums you put on when you are having a wonderful night and enjoying great conversation and you just want to put something on that would fill the air with sweet aroma and joy. It is an album that I can envision myself sitting by a fire with the lights dimmed while reading a book. (You should know that I do not read books, so for me to picture that while listening to this album should tell you something. ) It just has that great background, ambience-filled feel to it. It is the type of music you can play in the background that still allows you entirely focus on something else, but still feel the music. Don’t be fooled, however, because it is not all easy listening. It is also an album that will give your day a little edge that you may not experience without Battle Studies.

For me it’s a for sure buy. Battle Studies has some wonderful songs. I can promise that you will get at least some enjoyment out of this album. I can also promise that even if you do not go out and buy the album, you will be certainly be hearing a lot of it over the radio and in coffee shops, department stores, etc. I could even see myself hearing this in an elevator, so don’t you worry about not hearing Battle Studies, because you most definitely will.  

Purchase Battle Studies
Purchase Continuum

Purchase Where The Light Is:John Mayer Live In Los Angeles

Austin Teer is the Music editor for The Everythingist

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