The Omnibus

Issue date: 2/16/07 Section: Sports

From his 1999 release of Inside Wants Out, to his 2003 release of Heavier Things, John Mayer has been in and out of the good graces of music lovers of the world. However, with the release of Continuum, Mayer obliterates any notion that he is bound for anything less than rock infamy.
On Sept. 12, 2006, Mayer's most aurally pleasing collaboration of blues / rock goodness was released to the world. Beginning with the blues / piano rock track "Wating on the World to Change," Continuum starts off on the right foot.
A far cry from the 2001 release of Room for Squares, Continuum is an album for those who were never even fans of Mayer in the first place. And with tracks that are backed up by solid lyrics, i.e. "Belief," Mayer makes up for fans lost by the catchy-but-shallow stylings of "Your Body is a Wonderland," among others.
As with his side project, John Mayer Trio, Mayer implements more of the blues sound that his most devoted fans have been dying to hear from his solo work. With steely solos on tracks such as "Gravity," and the reposeful vocal work present on all tracks, one cannot help but become a fan of one of the only great American singer / songwriters in the mainstream.
Mayer even adds a touch of twang and country influences into this incredible album on "The Heart of Life" where Mayer, yet again, surprises the listener with his talent as a musician and his ability to create depth with his lyrics.
It is also made obvious with "Vultures" that Mayer is not afraid to go beyond his range vocally. Following the lead of artists such as James Blunt and Copeland, Mayer ranges into the falsetto-sphere and does it with such musical prowess that even the most skeptical of listeners will not question his vocal excellence.
Reverting to the theme of Continuum's deep, meaningful lyrics, Mayer draws the listener into his world with "Slow Dancing in a Burning Room." A ballad of love and loss, this track is brutally honest and raw, yet beautiful and poignant.
I would recommend Mayer's Contunuum not only to fans of his music, or John Mayer Trio, or even to fans of blues in general, but I recommend this album to anyone who likes good music. Continuum has everything that makes a good album: brilliant musicianship, poetic, thought-provoking lyrics and the voice to back it up. I'd advise anyone to go purchase this album as soon as possible.

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