By Paige Hoblak (Contributor) – Email
Print Edition: June 20, 2012
After two years out of the spotlight, John Mayer comes back, reinvented, with his newest album Born and Raised. Mayer hid away after vocal surgery, his recovery having turned into a much needed break. He admitted in a recent interview with talk show host Ellen Degeneres that after a handful of bad interviews he had “lost his head.” He moved away from the bright lights of Los Angeles to the more humbling state of Montana where he was inspired to create Born and Raised, which he calls his “most honest” album yet.
Born and Raised is a far stretch from his Live in Los Angeles album, which was produced at the pinnacle of his career and his subsequent breaking point. This is John Mayer’s fifth studio album and is completely different from any before.
Born and Raised showcases Mayer’s versatility as a musician. It is represents a much humbler Mayer, acknowledging the fact that he has endured and conquered much hardship as a constant target for media gossip. Several times throughout the album, he sings about “letting go,” which I believe is a recognition of his past and finding the way to embracing his new life.
His former Battle Studies hinted at his current crisis as the album expressed a very confused Mayer. The album had beats that were borderline pop music; it was an unlikely collaboration with ex-girlfriend, pop/country star Taylor Swift. Battle Studies lacked the honesty that is so evident in Born and Raised – an album that focuses on stories from the inside rather than those about the outside.
Inspired by several musical geniuses before him—such as Bob Dylan—John Mayer takes on a new genre of bluegrass folk-rock, while still staying true to his roots that led him to his success. In the new album Mayer seems confident in a way that has nothing to do with appearances, rather the confidence that comes from within.
At first listen I was unsure about the album that is so unlike the others before. However, I have come to realise that this may very well be his best. Born and Raised revolutionizes John Mayer’s signature sound, while telling a genuine story of transformation through his lyrics and guitar.
The album’s most attention-grabbing songs are “Queen of California” and the title-track “Born and Raised.” Both prove the musical genius that is John Mayer, who has the potential to become one of our generation’s best musicians – with an emphasis on his guitar-playing abilities.
His talent cannot be denied and all preconceived judgements about the artist must be ignored when listening to his newest album. The album is deserving of at least of few good listens, as my first impression was not my lasting one. If you are open to hearing the sounds of a completely new and elevated John Mayer, Born and Raised will do just that.
