John Mayer ✭✭✭1/2 Okay. Do you like pop music? I do. Which is why I like this album. He doesn't throw the hammer down like he did with the previous full-length "Continuum," but once again, 'Johnny Boy' has managed to make a pop record made mostly of love songs without sounding cliché, sappy, or like he forgot how to be an original lyricist. In fact he manages to sound a bit cynical, maybe even spiteful. Mr. Mayer has come along way from "Your Body is a Wonderland," indeed.
'Heartbreak Warfare' basically sums up the whole thing. A bit of a jilted, hopeless romantic's song with strong melodies. A decent tip of the cap to the Country genre with 'Have of My Heart.' Lots of variety the whole way from '[Heartbreak]Warfare,' to the R&B kick of 'Assasin,' a solid cover-song in 'Crossroads', to what I consider the best song on here: 'Edge of Desire'(this one fits in with the quality of "Continuum." Solid songwriting the whole way through.
Now the bad stuff. A couple of, what seem to me like 'nods to the record company,' have found their way into the mix here. What is the point of covering an Eric Clapton(Cream) song if you're going to have a lame guitar solo? Give the blues lovers a little something here since the rest of the songs won't give them anything. Second, What is the point of having Taylor Swift sing with you if she's just going to sing back-up/harmony/echos and a few "oooo-s." Let the girl sing. But maybe that's just being picky. Honestly the worst part of this album is the cover-art. Who told him to make that face? Anyone?. . .
The conclusion. . . True John Mayer fans will like it. Fans of the John Mayer Trio will probably not like it. People that like what the radio tells you to like will Love it. There isn't much wrong here, just not a lot that is exceptionally good.
-Wesley Morrison
