John Mayer Heavier Things CD

This is a DualDisc, which contains a CD on one side of the disc and a DVD on the other.

With the experience of a Grammy-winning, major-label debut under his belt and the requisite pop stardom that goes with it, John Mayer continues forging a steadily impressive musical canon with his third full-length outing, HEAVIER THINGS. Like the introspective musings of fellow, mellow pop singer-songwriters such as Dave Matthews and Jack Johnson, Mayer's songs delve into the subtleties of relationships and their accompanying navel-gazing. "Bigger Than My Body" finds him not only on a search for self, but sounding like Matthews with his hint of falsetto, as "Something's Missing" does much the same on a bed of swirling guitar and the occasionally chiming chord. As for the fairer sex, there's the requisite pleading found within the confines of the bluesy "Come Back to Bed," and the realization of loving someone with emotional baggage in "Daughters," which stems from childhood issues. All is not entirely dour, however, as this former Berkley School of Music student includes a pair of more up-tempo cuts--"Clarity," the hip-hop-brushed opener featuring jazz great Roy Hargrove and Roots drummer ?uestlove Thompson, and the hook-filled pop nugget "Only Heart." Packed with such emotional heft, it's no wonder John Mayer went with the title HEAVIER THINGS.

This new release, in the dualdisc format offers a full-length CD album on one side and and a DVD featuring the full album, usually in surround sound, along with videos, behind-the-scenes footage and a wide array of bonus material, including lyrics, biographies, PC content and more. Dualdisc format plays on existing CD and DVD players. The Mayer DVD presents a new interview with Mayer, rare footage of the making of the album at home and in studio and the music video for "Daughters".

Personnel: John Mayer (vocals, guitar); Michael Chaves (guitar); Greg Leisz (lap steel guitar); Dan Higgins (saxophone); Roy Hargrove (trumpet); Jamie Muhoberac (keyboards); David LaBruyere (bass guitar); J.J. Johnson, Matt Chamberlain, Steve Jordan (drums); Larry Castro (percussion).

Recording information: Ocean Way, Hollywood, California; Avatar Studios, New York, New York (2003).Rolling Stone (12/25/03, p.108) - Included in Rolling Stone's "50 Best Albums of 2003"
Rolling Stone (10/2/03, p.116) - 4 stars out of 5 - "...With his follow-up [to ROOM FOR SQUARES], Mayer offers an equally available yet more sophisticated album...Most of these tracks proceed more subtly, with an emphasis on interior life..."
Q (12/03, p.132) - 3 stars out of 5 - "...'Clarity' rejoices in falsetto wailing and excellent jazz trumpet..."
Mojo (Publisher) (12/03, p.112) - 3 stars out of 5 - "Mayer's progress is an open book, deep thoughts and all."