Heavy Mayer (Heavier Things - John Mayer)

Member Name: Lakerfanster

Product:	Heavier Things - John Mayer
Date:	16/08/09 (72 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Great material, Stepping stone to greatness

Disadvantages: Only ten tracks

**Introduction**

After thinking of what do review on my return I decided after a little thought that This album would be the one I would review. John Mayer is one of my favourite artists and this is due in no small part to hearing his Continuum album, seeing his live dvd Where the light is and also seeing him live in Hyde Park during Hard Rock Calling 2008. After becoming a fan thanks to his most recent release I looked up his back catalogue and I thought I would give Heavier Things another few listens to review it.

**Heavier Things**

Heavier Things is the second studio album released by John Mayer, It was released in 2003 and the title pokes fun at some critics who were critical of his debut "Room for Squares". Heavier Things features ten tracks and guest musicians include Steve Jordan, ?uestlove and Jerry Hay. The album proved to be a successful one with "Daughters" winning song of the year at the Grammy's beating off competition from both Alicia Keys and Kanye West. He dedicated the award to his grandmother Annie Hoffman, who died in May 2004.

**The Review**

1.) Clarity
2.) Bigger Than My Body
3.) Something's missing
4.) New Deep
5.) Come back to bed
6.) Home Life
7.) Split Screen Sadness
8.) Daughters
9.) Only Heart
10.) Wheel

Opening Heavier Things is the enjoyable "Clarity" which has a poppy rock feel to it with some catchy drum beats and a pleasurable feel. This track gets things off to a great flow. Next up we have "Bigger than my body" which finds Mayer in a similar place vocally but the musical backing is less catchy but still provides good backing. Now comes "Something's missing" which is a very pleasantly flowing track which I can imagine being a great track to drive to. This is the best of the first three tracks so far. "New Deep" follows with an interesting guitar part that then is joined by the drums. This is another very flowing track which has a great melody. Very good stuff. Now track five is up and "Come Back to bed" is a very impressive track which shows the progression between the first album and Continuum. This is a slow bluesy rock track which is very good thanks to the emotive vocals and guitar from Mayer as well as the James Brown like Trumpets in the background. This track has a great chorus.

"Home Life" is next up and this is another decent track, It has a very catchy beat and some nice guitar melodies that are a very key part of the songs appeal. Now we come to Split Screen Sadness which is a decent track, It opens with a gentle beat and then John Mayer's distinctive vocals come in. Although this track does not have the catchy feel of some of the more instant tracks it still has enough of a radio friendly feel. Next up we have one of his most well known tracks "Daughters" is a lyrically very strong ballad about parents responsibilty. Although not a dad himself this track hints that he would be a very good dad. Next up we have "Only Heart" which is another very catchy track which could be great for driving on a summers day. This is a very impressive track which leads well into the final track on the album which is "Wheel" which is a decent closer of the album.

**Overall**

Whilst Heavier Things does not have the amazing consistency of Continuum it certainly is an important album in shaping John Mayer's musical history, It shows the progression from the first album into a more serious artist and it also hints at the incredible guitar playing he shows on His live shows and of course on Continuum. This is a very strong album which should be a must for any John Mayer fan. Not as good as Continuum but it's a very strong sophomore release.

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