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By Aled Jones, Monday 16th October 2006 03.16am (851 views)
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Seven long years since his independently released ‘Inside Wants Out’, John Mayer has moved from unknown youngster to hyper talented, platinum selling artist. Mayer now returns with his third studio album ‘Continuum’, which is also the final part of his trilogy that began with the album that launched him, ‘Room For Squares’.
This final part to the trilogy has Mayer tackling such issues as love, heartbreak, ageing and politics, focusing on the desperate and disturbing state of the world at large. The album seems to suggest that Mayer is finding being an American out in the world a problem, with opening track ‘Waiting for the World to Change’ playing like an apology for Iraq, with a special dig at Fox TV and the control of information within the US. Thankfully Mayer does not harp on any subject more than is necessary, before raising another emotional question. Moving on from the world of perception Mayer lingers momentarily on problems within relationships in ‘I Don’t Trust Myself’. The track grimly details the self-doubt that exists when in a relationship, as you slowly question all that surrounds you, before plummeting into desperation.
The standout track on the album comes half way through with the utterly sublime ‘Stop this Train’. Having began over seven years ago as a young buck, Mr Mayer like all of us is getting older and worse that that is begin to notice it. The song is a gorgeous lament to aging and the fear that comes hand in glove with it, as he details with lines such as ‘so scared of getting older, I’m only good at being young’. The answer to the problem is provided by his father as he explains to his boy ‘turn sixty eight, you’ll re-negotiate’, a line that gives the type of calm that only parents can provide. His amazing fretwork is in evidence as usual, but as he himself has stated, he has began to trust more in musical space and silences since touring with his trio. The guitar sounds on ‘Continuum’ are controlled and beautiful as Mayer carries us through a minefield of emotions, showcasing the talent that has seen him recently working with the likes of Clapton and BB King to name but two.
Mayer’s return is a superb work of a very high quality both in its lyrics and sound. The tempo is so calm and soothing with occasional punctuations that jolt the listener back into line at opportune moments. In a creative world where talent seems to be diminishing by the second people like John Mayer stand like beacons of hope.
For more information you can visit: http://www.johnmayer.com
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