If you happen to have heard a smoky-voiced baritone on the radio recently singing some song with hugely catchy hooks and a chorus about wanting to "run through the halls of my high school," congratulations--you've discovered John Mayer and "No Such Thing," the lead single and first track from Room for Squares.
Past the instantly memorable single, other standout tracks include "83," in which Mayer expresses the universal desire to be a kid again; "My Stupid Mouth," which includes one of the most convincing fake endings you'll hear for a good while; and "Neon," which features another infectious chorus and seems like another good choice for a single. No tracks are clunkers; instead, it's a matter of which songs will stick in your head after one listen or after five.
Mayer's music is happy but realistic. You occasionally hear him doubt himself, especially on tracks like "Why Georgia" and the self-effacing "My Stupid Mouth," but the music remains upbeat. While the album comes across as the vision of Mayer himself--co-writers are listed for only three songs--a talented backing group makes the album feel and sound like more of a band effort.
Filled with hooks that have great lyrics and guitar to back them up, Mayer's album is full of choruses you'll be singing all day--proof that pop need not be a dirty word, especially when mixed with the rock and occasional jazz influences Mayer explores on this disc. A positive, life-affirming album by a talented emerging artist, it's also a great driving disc, perhaps best experienced with an open sunroof and windows down. And when you find yourself next to someone at a stoplight (perhaps me) bopping their head around, screaming "I just found out there's no such thing as the real world/Just a lie you got to rise above" at the top of their lungs, you'll know it's Room for Squares.
4.5 tocks
Other coverage for this album
The Rebel Base 2003Reviewed by David MartinYou gotta love a guy who uses the periodic table as the artwork for his CD. Okay, so maybe being a bit of a square isn't all that John Mayer and I have in common. But it's a good start. The main thing that drew me to this young rising star was the other thing we have in common - a love for tasty guitar licks and clever lyrics. The difference is, of course, that he writes 'em and plays 'em, and I…The Phantom Tollbooth 2001Reviewed by Andy ArgyrakisJohn Mayer's major label debut is an example of acoustic rock at its finest following in the footsteps of label mates Five For Fighting and Train. Mayer currently fits in the modern acoustic rock scene with the likes of the above acts and others like the Pat McGee Band, Bebo Norman, and Howie Day. The album starts on a bright note with the first single "No Such Thing." The infectious storyline…Similar sounding releases
2002Aaron SpiroSing
2001Ben Glover26 Letters
2005Tom WehrleRoom to Dream
2002The KryUndone
2001downheredownhere
2002Counting CrowsHard Candy
