Listening to Battle Studies you get the impression that if James Blunt were born with musical ability he might be mistaken for a trans-Atlantic cousin of John Mayer. The album struggles to establish itself as some kind of search for heart-aching sincerity and comes up heart-achingly short.
Don’t get me wrong, the album is beautifully mixed and offers production so well polished that you can see your face in it, but beneath the surface the record is devoid of any real sentiment. Despite a promising opening track, most likely to be featured on the next American teen drama, Mayer struggles to get out of second gear and for the most part of the album sounds as if he’s just going through the motions.
Tracks such as Who Says, a song in which Mayer alludes to smoking so much weed and being so reckless he destroys relationships, are borderline laughable. I would be more convinced by a rendition of ‘Smack My Bitch Up’ by the Queen. Although the more subtle tracks play in Mayer’s favour far too often the lines between subtle and bland are blurred. Take War Of My Life for example; it’s a solid track that might deserve a few spins but you’re more than likely to have fallen asleep by the end of the second play.
Readers may be surprised to find I actually like John Mayer, but hold him in the same same regard as the frustrated teacher whose star pupil keeps forgetting his homework. Mayer is capable of so much more and perhaps that’s why Battle Studies is ultimately so disappointing. Its not often you can find a commercially successful artist who can compete with Jason Mraz for the “least offensive/most obvious singer songwriter” award.
John Mayer aficionados (American females 18-30) are likely to look past the seemingly vacuous nature of this album and fall in love with John all over again, however, music lovers will be less impressed. It’s painstakingly obvious John Mayer is immensely talented as a guitarist, we want him to play the part of the heartbroken loner with blues in his soul or the guitar shredding rock legend, instead he opts for ‘sap with a Strat’.
Emily
7 months ago
Dear Charlie,
You music ‘critics’ always baffle me. Why is it you say things that you think make you sound cool, but in real terms actually just show your ignorance. You wrote “if James Blunt were born with musical ability” and I wonder if you’re aware that you’re talking about a man who not only learnt to play the violin at 5 years old but plays the guitar and piano (the latter self taught), has written 2 very successful albums and has sold in excess of 18 million records worldwide. He’s done 2 world tours, won numerous awards and is loves music more than anything in the world. He is the very picture of musical British success, and to be quite frank, should be celebrated as so. If only journalists weren’t so self-conscious.
Good luck with your career….
Regards
Emily
Joey G
7 months ago
Dear Charlie,
I am writing a rebuttal to your “Effortless” critism/ review of one of my favourite artists for a couple of reasons:
Firstly-You highlighted that you were a John Mayer “Fan”???!
This is extremely odd and deranged in my own personal opinion as the release date of this album was the 17th of Nov(might be wrong here) approximately, yet you gave it 10 days to pen your review. I don’t think any human/machine can come to a clear consise understanding of any artists creation in that amount of time…!!!
I think that you should stick to some other form of writing, maybe poetry.
At least then you can “Independently” write something rather than portraying your own unimaginative dribble you call a review.
Tutt Tutt.
J
C
7 months ago
I think this is a brilliant review. I may not agree with everything you wrote as i’d be categorised as a John Mayer’s aficionado but i understand where you’re coming from and thoroughly enjoyed reading it regardless. People take things way too seriously/personally; at the end of the day it’s only one person’s point of view and they should really chill out.
Joey G
7 months ago
Charlie doesn’t need people to defend his reviews??! I thought it was a poor review not as a fan of John Mayer but as a fan of actual music… he bags not one but two artists in one review! Not even necessary critism.
It would be a ridiculous statement to say ” Why do people take it personally”! of course people will take it personally.. If an artist creates something and you connect with it, it moves you, then you relate with the artist and what they may of had to experience to create what they created. Not always the case, but 90% of time i’m sure!
I entirely agree with what you wrote suggesting that it is one person’s opinion and i respect his opinion based on his past reviews. But my major quam is this latest review.
I just don’t think it’s a worthy review of an album in which had been released 10 days before the review had been written.
J
scott
7 months ago
Hi Joey,
Can I just say that, as you don’t seem to be aware, we often have CDs three or four weeks ahead of release. One of my favourite CDs right now is Los Campesinos’ Romance Is Boring, which isn’t out until 1 February 2010. The CD’s in my car, as such albums are more than often finished a couple of months ahead of release.
That’s the beauty of reviewing, so hence why you can’t judge a review based on “10 days before”.
Scott