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Post by singingsparrow on Jul 14, 2010 12:37:44 GMT -5
I do not like this CD nearly as much as Continuum. Something is missing. It's missing the soul, groove and topical diversity that gave "Continuum" additional depth and layer. That said, I don't consider "Battle Studies" a dud, and it should be noted how this project was conceived to begin with...............as a think-outside-the-box writing and recording experiment, where Mayer was open to his fans about everything and described in detail the entire recording process in prose. In the end, it's almost as though you can feel the packaging of "Battle Studies" and immediately sense by the sound of it "Yeah, this feels more like an experiment, a concept, than his other albums!" The irony here is, when you're overly fixated on a concept, you tend to get bogged down into formula all the same if you're not breaking ground. That's the main weakness with "Battle Studies". He tried too hard thinking outside the paradigmatic mode of conceiving an album that he nonetheless overlooked what has made him a star so unique that he can grace acclaimed guitarist magazines just as much as he can the tabloids. His accomplished guitar-playing abilities are hardly present here, as is the multi-dimensional, conflicting aspects of his songwriting personality. In the end, conceptually he may have went out on a limb to some degree, but artistically this is actually his safest album to date. Still better than most safe material out there, but surely not up to par with John Mayer's previous catalog. Namaste, Lisping Hibiscus
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rosemoor
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Post by rosemoor on Jul 14, 2010 15:53:20 GMT -5
Anybody know whether he's making a concert DVD for this tour? Honestly, his concert DVDs >>>>>>>>> any of his studio albums.
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twilight
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Post by twilight on Jul 15, 2010 2:20:01 GMT -5
Any more singles? Whats going on with this ear? How many records has he sold?
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SHOOTER
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Post by SHOOTER on Jul 15, 2010 12:54:43 GMT -5
Any more singles? Whats going on with this ear? How many records has he sold? Half of My Heart was recently released and he's sold over 950k, almost at 1m.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jul 15, 2010 14:42:27 GMT -5
;)
Perfection Assassin Perfectly Lonely War of my Life Who Says
Enjoyable Heartbreak Warfare Friends, Lovers or Nothing All We Ever Do Is Say Goodbye Edge of Desire
Snooze-fests Crossroads: It's not that bad, but as a Clapton fan, it kinda bores me... Do You Know Me Half Of My Heart
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twilight
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Post by twilight on Jul 15, 2010 18:26:57 GMT -5
Any more singles? Whats going on with this ear? How many records has he sold? Half of My Heart was recently released and he's sold over 950k, almost at 1m. Well still a platinum album, do ya'll think he should do a rerelease?
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SHOOTER
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Post by SHOOTER on Jul 15, 2010 23:18:42 GMT -5
Half of My Heart was recently released and he's sold over 950k, almost at 1m. Well still a platinum album, do ya'll think he should do a rerelease? I vote no.
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Gravity.
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Post by Gravity. on Jul 16, 2010 15:42:17 GMT -5
I don't think that he'll do a re-release. Next single will probably be Assassin or Perfectly Lonely. Maybe after that finishes he'll end the era and get a new album out before the end of 2011. I remember that he said that the next album will be more like Continuum.
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Sara
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Post by Sara on Jul 26, 2010 21:19:17 GMT -5
I hope it's more like Continuum. I've been OBSESSING over him lately. I've always been a huge fan but I think seeing him this weekend is getting my hyped. I listened to all his albums in a row the other day. Continuum is stellar. I think all his albums are solid, tho. Even Heavier Things - which I know is pretty much everybody's least favorite. Heavier Things has Clarity, Split Screen Sadness, Bigger Than My Body, Something's Missing, Wheel...
I think this album is my least favorite, only because it has the most songs I just do not care for. I could do without "War Of My Life"..."Do You Know Me" and his cover of "Crossroads." But, the strongest tracks are really good. I'd put "Edge of Desire" in my top ten JM songs, for instance. Loveeee it. Nothing comes close to Continuum, tho. That album is fantastic from top to bottom. I also hope he revists the Trio at one point because I LOVE when he does more bluesy-type stuff. His guitar playing is the best then, too.
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marcjm
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Post by marcjm on Jul 27, 2010 23:16:43 GMT -5
Yes. He definitely needs to go down the road of Continuum.
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Sara
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Post by Sara on Aug 1, 2010 11:39:10 GMT -5
I saw him in concert last night!! Absolutely amazing, I don't think his voice has ever sounded better. And he played harmonica for a Dylan cover and War Of My Life (which I actually loved live, even though I still hate it on the album) which I had never seen him do before.
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Post by areyoureadytojump on Aug 5, 2010 8:05:34 GMT -5
Certified 1xp by the RIAA.
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twilight
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Post by twilight on Aug 7, 2010 23:55:57 GMT -5
Certified 1xp by the RIAA. Good for him, he has a solid following.
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Gravity.
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Post by Gravity. on Aug 8, 2010 16:39:41 GMT -5
Platinum is less than nine months isn't too bad, especially since none of the singles have been huge. Heartbreak Warfare should have been a much bigger hit on pop, peaking at twenty-one isn't good enough. Hopefully Half of My Heart has more steam in it.
I think that Assassin should be the next single, the video for it has potential to be great.
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Gravity.
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Post by Gravity. on Sept 19, 2010 17:10:00 GMT -5
52 58 43 Battle Studies, John Mayer 6,980 -1 7,083 1,029,706
Album sales as of last week.
Also, there are some rumors that the fourth single will be "Perfectly Lonely."
Third single "Half Of My Heart" peaked at #21 on CHR and #2 on HAC. I'm not sure about AAA.
For comparison's sake, "Heartbreak Warfare" peaked at #21 on CHR and #3 on HAC.
Edit #2: I didn't realize that HOMH moved up two spots in the afternoon update on CHR. I wish that it could have made the Top 20 though.
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Post by Love Plastic Love on Sept 20, 2010 1:12:01 GMT -5
It is fairly impressive that he can still SELL over a million when a lot of artists struggle to do so even after multiple huge hits bigger than any of his songs this era and constant mainstream promo.
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Gravity.
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Post by Gravity. on Sept 21, 2010 17:42:40 GMT -5
It is fairly impressive that he can still SELL over a million when a lot of artists struggle to do so even after multiple huge hits bigger than any of his songs this era and constant mainstream promo. Exactly. John's fan base is apparently loyal and supportive.
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WotUNeed
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Post by WotUNeed on Sept 21, 2010 17:49:13 GMT -5
Third single "Half Of My Heart" peaked at #21 on CHR and #2 on HAC. I'm not sure about AAA. "Half of My Heart" got to #2 on AAA. I wonder if the re-release will help the album much.
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Gravity.
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Post by Gravity. on Sept 21, 2010 17:50:20 GMT -5
Third single "Half Of My Heart" peaked at #21 on CHR and #2 on HAC. I'm not sure about AAA. "Half of My Heart" got to #2 on AAA. I wonder if the re-release will help the album much. Thanks Andrew. The last time I checked the AAA chart (over a month ago ) it was stuck at #3. There's going to be a re-release? I was under the impression that John was ready to end this era.
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WotUNeed
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Post by WotUNeed on Sept 21, 2010 17:56:12 GMT -5
There's going to be a re-release? I was under the impression that John was ready to end this era. No new tracks on it. Being repackaged with a DVD of his VH1 Storytellers appearance and a couple live performances: "Who Says" and "Half of My Heart." Drops 5 October.
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Gravity.
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Post by Gravity. on Sept 21, 2010 18:05:28 GMT -5
There's going to be a re-release? I was under the impression that John was ready to end this era. No new tracks on it. Being repackaged with a DVD of his VH1 Storytellers appearance and a couple live performances: "Who Says" and "Half of My Heart." Drops 5 October. Oh okay. I might check it out, if only for the Storytellers appearance.
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Sara
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Post by Sara on Dec 6, 2010 20:26:25 GMT -5
John's already performing new material at some secret shows in NYC. In this video, he plays two of them - "Born and Raised" and "Face To Call Home." FTCH is okay but Born and Raised is FANTASTIC.
Here are the lyrics: FACE TO CALL HOME I am an architect Of days that haven't happened yet I can't believe a month is all it's been You know my paper heart The one I fill with picks and locks I think I might have gone and let you in
Little by little Inch by inch We built a yard with a garden in the middle of it It ain't much But it's a start You got me swaying right along To the song in your heart And a face to call home A face to call home You got a face to call home
So glad you didn't see The nervous wreck I used to be I never thought a man could be so small You never look at me Like I'm a liability I bet you never think I've been at all
Little by little Inch by inch We built a yard with a garden in the middle of it It ain't much But it's a start You got me swaying right along To the song in your heart And a face to call home A face to call home You got a face to call home
Maybe I can stay awhile Maybe I can stay awhile Maybe I can stay awhile I'm talking like all of the time Maybe I can stay awhile Maybe I can stay awhile Maybe I can stay awhile I'm talking like all of the time
And a face to call home A face to call home You got a face to call home -
Born and Raised (or whatever it will be called) now and then I pace my place I can't retrace how I got here I cheat and lie to check my fates it's slightly harder than last year
and all at once it gets hard to take it gets hard to fake what I won't be cause one of these days I'll be born and raised and it's such a waste to grow up lonely
I still have dreams and I'm the same they don't fly as high as they used to
I saw my friend he's in my head and he said, "you don't remember me do you?"
and all at once it gets hard to take it gets hard to fake what I won't be cause one of these days I'll be born and raised and it's such a waste to grow up lonely
I still got time I still got faith I call on both of my brothers I got a Mom I got a Dad but they do not have each other
so line on up and take your place and show your face to the morning cause one of these days you'll be born and raised and it takes you on without warning
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Sara
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Post by Sara on Dec 17, 2010 20:41:43 GMT -5
Two more new songs. I'm thinking he's going with a Bob Dylan influence for the next album.
"Whiskey"
well I set up in new york city to try and find the man I never got to be who got pushed down on the pavement found the whole thing so much harder than it seemed
the only deal I ever signed no devil drew a dotted line the stage was set, the words were mine I'm not complaining
whiskey whiskey whiskey water water water sleep
whiskey whiskey whiskey wake up, shake it off and repeat
it's just a phase it's not forever it's just a phase but I still might have a ways to go
every night around this time my friends and I, we treat it like a race when I really start to break it down I wouldn't trust a girl who knew about this place
walking on with nothing left I speak softly underneath my breath hey world you ain't seen nothing yet great, now it's raining
whiskey whiskey whiskey water water water sleep
whiskey whiskey whiskey wake up, shake it off and repeat
it's just a phase it's not forever it's just a phase but I still might have a ways, yeah
whiskey whiskey whiskey water water water sleep
whiskey whiskey whiskey wake up, shake it off and repeat and repeat and repeat after me
"Age of Worry"
Close your eyes and you clothe yourself Paint your heart in armour To defend your innocence While you do everything wrong
Don't be scared to walk alone Don't be scared to like it There's no time that you must be home So, sleep where darkness falls
Alive in the age of worry Smile in the age of worry Go wild in the age of worry And say, "Worry, why should I care?"
No, your fight is not with them Yours is with your timing Dream your dreams, but don't pretend They're friends with what you are
Give your heart, then change your mind You're allowed to do it 'Cause God knows it's been done to you And somehow you got through it
Alive in the age of worry Rage in the age of worry Sing out in the age of worry And sing, "Worry, why should I care?"
Rage in the age of worry Act your age in the age of worry And say, "Worry, get outta here!"
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barrington
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Post by barrington on Dec 19, 2010 15:17:35 GMT -5
Caught his show in Houston earlier this year. Was epic. Owl City opened & they were pretty good too, interesting/different show. But man... It just feels like a big jam when John starting guitar soloing.
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