John Mayer - Born and Raised B+
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| Released May 2012 |
A friend recently asked me, "is the new John Mayer a covers album?" It is not, but it does have a certain familiarity. On Born and Raised Mayer channels his inner CSNY with a dash of Ryan Adams. The album is produced by music vet Don Was, and is full of catchy folk-rock that sounds honest and heartfelt.
His public screw-ups make this album all the more interesting because of its confessional nature. Some of the juicy bits suggest that "Shadow Days" is a response to Taylor Swift, the "Queen of California" is about Jennifer Aniston, and the title track is about his parents divorce. Regardless what/who the songs are about, Mayer has constructed an impressive piece of Americana. The album isn't perfect, but it speaks to me. It has been a fixture in my compact disc player since I got it.
Favorite tracks - Shadow Days, Born and Raised, Queen of California, Walt Grace's Submarine Test January 1967
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