Room For Squares - John Mayer (Rock)

Author's product rating:   

Originality	Definitely a cut above the rest
Lyrics	Thought-provoking
Quality and consistency of tracks	A couple of weak links
How does it compare to the artist's other releases	Outstanding
Value for Money	Good

Advantages:	Great originality, compostions are strong and pleasing .
Disadvantages:	Not for those who dont like chill out light easy listening music .

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

Another aurally pleasing collection of tunes from the young sensational guitarist singer songwriter. So lets dive right in!

01 - 3x5
A fairly moderate paced song, with some rather strange vibrato effect accompanying a rather lively introduction, verse and chorus. The melodic voice of Mayer is gentle, and calming, with a smooth edge…(does it sound like I am describing a beer?) The song never escalates to a higher musical point save the chorus which, keeps this song fairly relaxed yet feeling like its going somewhere. The backing is full of minute instrumental detail, which is a aural delight to the listener.

02 - 83
A song about the year 1983, and his childhood era begins with an acoustic guitar playing a nice chilled riff, which under-lies the soothing vocals. A song that plods along at an intermediate pace with some lovely but quite understated melodic interludes. The solo of this song conjures of rivers and country folk to me, with an interesting flute lead taken adding another instrument to the already present timbre.

03 - Back To You
One of my hugely favourite songs off this fantastic album opens with a sparse but melodic introduction that has an edge of clarity to it. I hate having music that is just overloaded with effects…less is more as they say. The lyrics are well written about returning back to a loved one, and the vocal melody it carries suits the backing instruments well. If you listen carefully there is a rather strange warbling type sound, which is slightly off putting. Overall a nice song although I feel the "middle 8" is missing some punch.

04 - City Love
A song about the first few weeks of a new love that proceed to some what decline to the opposite effect. Set in the city of New York the music has a new feel to it following the vocal line rhythmically providing a nice change to that of the previous songs. The vocals are very much more dominant in this song and I feel that this quite effectively draws the listener away from some of the more repetitive elements of the songs. Not one of my most favourite songs but not too bad all the same.

05 - Great Indoors
There is something about this song that instantly made me like it, whether it's the gently progressing instrumental background or the melodic voice. This song's elements all work together to provide a really pleasing song. All the parts interweave providing a variety of textures created, with consistently altering dynamics keep the song feeling fresh. A lovely song with a relaxing feel, easy listening for all.

06 - Love Song For No One
One of his better-known, up-tempo songs of the pop variety has a more explosive feel to his other songs. The song progresses through several phrases incorporating the standard verse, chorus etc, but the instrument arrangements makes this song more pleasing than most similar songs. It's not over washed with effects and sound effects etc and remains with a rather rawer element to it, which is refreshing to other contemporary songs.

07 - My Stupid Mouth
A bouncy and energetic acoustic guitar introduces this song. The mood although follows the general trend of being a more chilled out song. One downfall to this format is element of the repetition of style, but it can be over seen. The lyrics describe a date with a girl that goes rather wrong when he cant say anything right, and the emotions that he travels through as a occasioned result.

08 - Neon
A more funky jazzy song about a high strung, fast paced girl who he worries will burn out before her time. The introduction riff provides much of the funk feel, with a rather solid and intermittent bass line accompanying it to great effect. I think I was listening to the music more than the vocals that seem to blend in maybe a bit too well?
Overall a good song in it's own right, which provides a evolved feel to some of the preceding songs.

09 - No Such Thing
The reminiscing over a meeting with a guidance councillor is the basis for this song, with exploration into some live lessons. Very descriptive lyrics, placed to a fast, pleasing melodic movement are all pluses in my book. The backing music is tight and well arranged, although I feel some of the meticulous instrumental detail is lost in the low volume mix on the track.

10 - Not My Self
A rather melancholy song, with a lone guitar and voice lead this song on where is slowly builds up. The music is rather enchanting on this track conjuring a day dreaming feeling to it. It's soft, tender and emotive. Maybe the vocals could been a little more clear, but I think this might remove some of the soft tender edge to the song. Worth a listen most definitely.

11 - St. Patrick's Day
I think that this is one of his only songs that I really don't like, its too long, too repetitive and not that inspiring. Rather depressingly it progresses carrying a sad air to it which conglomerates to a rather dirge tune. Sorry for the slating but this seems like a bit of a time filler.

12 - Why Georgina?
A most excellent song, a uplifting happy melody which just cant do anything else except make you feel good backs some exciting vocal passages. I really like this song for the progression it goes throughout the tune. Again some excellent acoustic guitar work is the basis for this song, breathing life into well-used chords from previous pop type songs. Although it's more of a chill out styled song, I feel there is a new leash of life in it after the last song. The vocals remain, melodically, as interesting as the instrumentation which helps the atmosphere of the song. A great song.

13 - Your Body Is A Wonderland
Another very popular song he plays live, with a surf like feel incorporating in the lyrics and punch of the music a rather tongue-in-cheek atmosphere. A fun song that proves a feel good element to it and makes your head "bop" along. A very strong song to end the album on, it's an exciting composition to listen to.

Overall the chill out feel might seem to be a little over used although he finds new and refreshing ways to interpret and put over his musical ideas. A really nice collection of tunes which I would compel people to buy. Another set of out standing compositions, which I feel do him justice as a singer, guitarist song writer.