Photo by: Chapman Baehler/Aware Records
John Mayer’s album, Room for Squares, is a refreshing change from the current pop trends. The 24-year-old singer and songwriter offers a rare mix of original lyrics and great acoustic guitar playing.
Mayer first picked up a guitar after listening to Stevie Ray Vaughn at the age of 13. Mayer grew up in Connecticut and enrolled in Boston’s Berklee College of Music in 1998. After a short stay there, he moved to Atlanta and began performing locally. He built a fan base there and released his album Inside Wants Out in 1999. He quickly began to garner national interest and attention. He has been featured in several magazines and on Web sites, performed on “Late Night With Conan O’Brien” in November, and was mentioned on “The Today Show.”
Room for Squares was released in September by Columbia Records and has become popular nationally since its release. Mayer has been busy touring and building up his fan base. He will be performing at the Fillmore Auditorium on Saturday, April 13 at 8 p.m.
Tickets are currently on sale and cost $17.75.
Room for Squares contains 14 tracks, all written by Mayer. The first track, “No Such Thing,” opens up the album with an upbeat melody. “Why Georgia” emphasizes Mayer’s smooth voice and is very introspective.
“My Stupid Mouth” is a song that nearly everyone can relate to. It’s about forgetting to think before speaking, and the things that can happen when you don’t think before you speak.
My favorite songs on the album are “Your Body is a Wonderland” and “3×5.” The former is idealistic, charged with romance and has an easy and light tune. The latter is about trying to explain different places and how you have to see things with your own eyes to fully understand them. He sings, “Guess you had to be there/ Guess you had to be with me.”
“Neon” is also a great song; it is the fastest and most upbeat track on the album.
“Love Song for No One” is a song that many people can relate to. It’s about wondering if you missed the chance to meet the person for you and when that person will come.
“Back to You” is a nostalgic song about not being able to let go of someone.
John Mayer’s music is smooth and clean yet easy to sing along and relate to. He has been compared to Dave Matthews, Sting and David Gray.
Room for Squares is an album well worth buying and Mayer’s concert in April should be a great opportunity to see and hear Mayer play live (as well as a chance to see him up close!).
