Taking aim at "Battle Studies"

Six days and counting. I am eager, yet nervous. John Mayer’s new album Battle Studies will be released on Nov. 17 and I’m afraid of being disappointed.

While waiting for the album to be released, anxious fans/critics are listening to sneak-peek, 30-second clips from Battle Studies, in addition to its full-length single “Who Says.”

“Who Says” exhibits Mayer's acoustic ability, but it's perhaps too familiar. Musically, the song sounds like his Continuum ballads “Heart of Life” and “Stop This Train.” Lyrically, the song is less than riveting, but when the first line is “Who says you can’t get stoned?” you can't expect earth-shattering revelations. However, this may be one of Mayer’s most personally descriptive songs--an autobiography in music form.

The clips of intros and choruses from the rest of the songs off Battle Studies are coy snippets that leave you wanting more—as in, OK, where are you hiding the good stuff we’re used to hearing? Overall, the intros are quality examples of soft rock and Johnny’s featured guitar. But the choruses have little impact, which is disappointing from a man who declares himself a writer as much as a musician. You can only hope the rest of the songs’ lyrics will add meaning to their choruses.

Listening so far, Battle Studies sounds different from the beloved Continuum, and Mayer prepared us for this. Although not devastated, I'm not yet dazzled. I just hope that the album’s title, as well as its songs “War of My Life,” “Heartbreak Warfare,” and “Assassin,” are only in reference to his tumultuous public relationships, and not to a (nearly) midlife music crisis.

I just pre-ordered my album. Now all there is to do is wait.

Today's Verdict: Sometimes it is best to believe in the sayings we repeat to comfort ourselves--Good things come to those who wait.