Common Sense Note
Parents need to know that John Mayer packs a lyrical wallop, in the gentlest of ways. No troubling content here, just really good, thoughtful songwriting.
Families can talk about the message in "Waiting on the World to Change." Do you agree that young people are too disillusioned to be politically active? "Stop This Train" might trigger discussion about aging relatives.
Common Sense Review
Reviewed By: Kathi Kamen Goldmark
John Mayer has a way of getting a strong message across in the gentlest of ways, and he does so beautifully on the opening track of CONTINUUM, his third studio album.
"Me and all my friends/we're all misunderstood/they say we stand for nothing/and there's no way we ever could/Now we see everything that's going wrong/with the world and those who lead it/We just feel like we don't have the means/To rise above and beat it ... we keep on waiting/waiting for the world to change," he sings. "It's not that we don't care/it's just that we know the fight ain't fair," is a lyric that gives voice to something many young people feel and yet have trouble articulating; it's inclusive and gentle while making a valid, vivid point about today's world.
Other highlights are "Stop This Train," a look at aging, mortality, and the passage of time ("So scared of getting older/I'm only good at being young ... had a talk with my old man/said 'help me understand'/He said 'turn 68; you'll renegotiate.'"), and "In Repair," a poignant look at the end of a love affair.
Add soulful vocals, superb guitar work, and perfectionist production standards to the mix (this is the first time Mayer has produced his own CD, and the loving care shines through on every track), and you've got an exquisite collection of well-written, poetic songs that make their point without ever hitting anyone over the head.
If you love the guitar work on "Bold as Love," you might want to find the Jimi Hendrix original. For more great songwriting poetry, check out Bruce Springsteen -- or, from another era entirely -- Smokey Robinson. For more "blue-eyed soul," Mayer fans may enjoy listening to Michael McDonald.
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ViolenceAn anti-violence message, if anything. |
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Social BehaviorSome strong, clear, but gentle messages about caring for the world and one another. |
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