How do you break in a new CD??

I usually put it on and sit there listening to it reading along with the lyrics on the inlay. I set a great store by inlays...I always read them in great detail and repeatedly (especially if I really like the artist). Is it just me?

I just got my hands on John Mayer's new album Heavier Things. I know you've just been sitting by your computer for nights on end waiting for me to post my thoughts on in, so I shall keep you in suspense no longer! (har)

One of the coolest things about the album is the INLAY (yay!). It's got these little diagrams depicting stuff about each of the songs (which is represented by a colour), e.g. a graph of the speed of the songs, a little keyboard showing the key of the songs...it's just so quirky and cool. Definitely a few notches up in the quirk factor from Room for Squares' periodic table.

Song-wise, on first listening (I've only listened to it once so far you see!) the stand outs for me were New Deep, Something's Missing and Clarity- basically the first half. I have strong strong suspicions, however, that the rest of the album will definitely grow on me after more listens. I find that the songs musically are more complex and less pop-y (e.g. Home Life which is an interesting listen...interesting in a good way!)...I love that every listen reveals something new and different (not like over-produced, over-manufactured pop, which- though I love it- kinda gives you what little it has on the first listen, leaving you to either love it so much it'll become a staple, or never listen to it again.). I find that you really have to listen actively to piece together where the songs are going (a bit like Nichole Nordeman), and I like it!

Lyrically...what can I say, I LOVE what he does with lyrics. I wish I could write like that. He's so eloquent and poetic and generally uncliched. He manages to distill fairly complicated ideas into lyrics that don't necessarily go in with the sledgehammer and say "I feel lonely now!" for example, but through the words and music, he just kind of evokes the feeling behind the song. Gifted, I say.

This is the second time I've had to write this, because gay Blogger crashed the first time...hrrrr. The first time was even more gushy than this! Hehehehee.

I'm quite annoyed that I listened to Lockie's evalutation of the album which moved me to delay buying it: "Blusey...it's no No Room for Squares". What would HE know!!?!? (hahahahahaaa, musical snobbery...heh) The difference between this and his label debut is that No Room for Squares is a lot more pop-y, catchy and easier to listen to (less complicated on the ear).

So.........all this has prepared me for........



JOHN MAYER LIVE ON SATURDAY!! ARRRRRRRRRRRRGH!!!

=)