Heavier Things
Common Sense Note
These songs are a "must" for aspiring young poets. John Mayer's visual storytelling and fine musicianship are well worth a second (and third, and fourth) listen.
Common Sense Review
Reviewed By: Kathi Kamen Goldmark
John Mayer has the rare ability to freeze a moment in time and reveal its depth. He is a visual and emotional songwriter who lets us see the pillows on the bed--or the sulking sweetheart--with deft strokes of his clever pen.
He is a poet, offering lines like "You know you're not a quick forgive--And I won't sleep through this--I survive on the breath you are finished with" (from "Come Back to Bed") or "And you love like your hand's on the horn, baby--I adore you but there's a hole in the cup that should hold your love--if you let me leave I swear I never will" (from "Only Heart"). If at times he gets the teensiest bit overwrought or preachy (as in "Daughters")--well, he's allowed. As a whole, it all works: beautiful imagery, heartfelt emotion, deft storytelling, and exceptional musicianship. He saves himself, more than once and with admirable skill, from over-the-top drippiness with a welcome edge of self-deprecation.
Although there is no questionable or disturbing content at all, the emotional wallop will be felt most intensely by teenagers.
Rate It!
| Content | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CS | adults | kids | ||
Sexual ContentThere is no explicit sexuality; there's one song of sweet post-argument longing, called "Come Back to Bed." |
 |
 |
||
ViolenceThe artist's only conflicts seem to be with himself. |
|
|
||
LanguageAll poetry, all the time |
|
|
||
Message |
|
|
||
Social BehaviorThere are gently positive messages throughout this CD. |
 |
|
||
CommercialismNo obvious commercial tie-ins or references. |
|
|
||
Drug/Alcohol/TobaccoThere are no references to drugs, cigarettes, or alcohol. |
|
|
||
