Should I buy a John Mayer album?

[underpants]

I saw him on the Grammies what two Grammies ago and the first thing I thought was "Who is this guy ripping off Dave Mathews?"*. It was some dream-esque accoustic song-just him and the guitar.

Since then I have seen him on all kinds of shows but I haven't seen him play just making appearances and such.

Is there something to this guy or is he just being shoved down my throat?

*-I know some people here LOATHE Dave Mathews but I've never been able to understand why, to me it is good music but then I live in Virginia and you pretty much are issued one of his albums when you turn 25.


P.S.-Sorry couldn't resist that end part-

The * was ON EDIT.

[vi5]

1. Don't do it!

That guy makes Dave Matthews look edgy. Honestly, imagine the dopey kid in your high school who played guitar but wasn't cool enough to actually be in a band with other people. That's this guy.

[underpants]

2. See my * on edit in the first post

sorry.

[vi5]

5. I can't pinpoint why I dislike Dave Matthews......

He's good at what he does. And personality-wise he's always come across like a decent guy in interviews. And I've got no problem with jam based music (I like the Dead).

But for some reason his music just sends me running for the door screaming and holding my ears.

[underpants]

8. Maybe it is the Virginia in me

the pace of his songs hits me just right, like a lazy sunny Summer day.

I dunno.

I never really thought of them as a jam band but then I've never seen them live. The yuppie aspect of it does turn me off quite a bit though.

[THUNDER HANDS]

3. he's not horrible

If you can tolerate his voice, buy his album.

[meegbear]

4. You should, but ...

like you said in your post, ALBUM only. No cassette, CD or 8-track.

[underpants]

6. I stil call them albums Whoops

Old habits are hard to break. I don't have a turntable so that really isn't an option.

[meegbear]

9. Me too ...

sometimes I wish they would release some of the older recordings on CD with optional "pop" versions that make those noises while it plays.

[StopTheMorans]

7. buy his album, I don't care what anyone says

I'm a pretty good guitarist (used to play a lot of blues, i'm into more acoustic stuff now) and the man is a good songwriter, plain and simple, and a pretty decent guitarist to boot (check out his live version of SRV's "Lenny"). yeah, if you don't like the tone of his voice, it can grate on you, but i think his songwriting skills overall are pretty impressive. Room for Squares is more consistent in terms of songwriting, but I think Heavier Things has a few songs that are way better than the stuff off Room for Squares. just MHO...

[mmm]

16. There must be something you would recommend over this

He can play good guitar when he has to but there are many
many better players. It is that soft mushy voice that
I just cannot take. I think a CD by this fellow will get real old
real fast.

[StopTheMorans]

17. there are many better players, but there are also

MANY, MANY worse songwriters. I gave up on the music pretentiousness for the sake of being pretentious a few years back, and I've been happier ever since:) if it sounds good, and catches your ear, why the hell not listen to it! and if you can combine tasteful guitar playing with catchy melodies, i say go for it damn it! (can you tell i've gotten ribbed about liking John Mayer before?)

[Whitacre D_WI]

10. Are you a 13 year-old girl?

Then no. :P

[underpants]

14. Lemme check.........

NOPE!

Thanks that made me laugh.

[bif]

11. Yeah, buy his latest disc

I resisted for a couple years just because my daughter and her friends like him. Well, I was at Costco sever months ago and they had his latest for $12.99. I couldn't resist. All I can say is, "It does not exactly suck." He writes some catchy songs, has a good voice, and seems very mature for his age. Just give "Daughters" a listen and you'll probably agree. I'm a father of two daughters and it truly brings a tear to my eye when I hear it. How does a 21 year old write songs that can appeal to an old fart like me? Takes talent.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

12. Sure if you're in need of sleep....BORING!

[BJ]

13. Why not break out of the "corporate-whore" music scene.

I like Dave Matthews but there are so many good singer/songwriters and musicians out there who don't ever get any MTV time and are really grateful for people to hear their music.

Might I suggest CDBaby.com the best little site on the Internet for "the best new independent music."

[underpants]

15. But I grew up with the corporate whore music scene

I have a warm spot in my heart for it.....okay it wasn't like it is now and I only listened to ACTUAL alternative music in the 80's. Thanks for the CDbaby link, I'll look into it.

[skypilot]

18. Oh my God!!

I can't believe everyone is dumping on John Mayer. I love him. Oh well.

[mvd]

20. I agree

I'll never get this anti-mainstream music thing. There's good and bad stuff in the mainstream just like there's good and bad in indie. Oh well, I don't let the talk get to me. :-)

[mvd]

19. Room For Squares is a solid album

Though his voice does get a bit sleepy if you listen in large doses. Do not buy based on "Your Body Is A Wonderland" itself - most aren't as good as that one.