Music- John Mayer- Battle Studies

Battle Studies is the 2009 release from John Mayer, and the mood throughout is, well, battle-weary.  From the opening track “Heartbreak Warfare”, these are the songs of an artist in personal turmoil.  It’s not a good CD to put into the car stereo for a long drive or a workout, as many of the songs have a forlorn, sorrowful vibe.  Battle Studies does perk up in the second half- “Assassin” is a standout track with a good groove in which Mayer describes himself as a taker of hearts, but one who met his match, and “Edge of Desire” is another I’d recommend.

Overall, I don’t recommend Battle Studies as much as Continuum- there’s nothing wrong with songs about a breakup or sorrow, but this just isn’t a very memorable set.

Music- John Mayer- Continuum

Continuum, the 2006 release by John Mayer, begins with "Waiting On The World To Change", which has never been one of my favorite songs.  The song is a justification of passivity and isn't very interesting, but it doesn't set the tone for the rest of the album.  There are several stellar tracks on Continuum (three of the first five, in fact), the first of which is "I Don't Trust Myself (Loving You)", which has a nice groove to it and excellent soft horns near the end.  I found the lyrics to the next song, "Belief", thought-provoking and the song itself to be a compelling listen due to the chorus and the guitar.  Other standout songs include the quieter "The Heart of Life" and "In Repair", which features a solid jam.  Overall, Continuum is highly recommended for finely honed and thoughtful song-writing, and solid guitar work.

New Poem- Haunt

I know
That
Different events
Moments that flash past in my waking life
Instances that I may not care to remember
Influence me and shape who I am today, right now, at this second
Snippets from childhood
Jumping from one sled to another on an
Icy hill
My one daredevil moment
Keeps me cautious
And is just one representation
Of how all my days add up to me

But

Do I have the reverse influence
And is there a ghost of me
Haunting the places I've been
Energy spilling
Out into places that were once but are no longer there
Or people I no longer know                                                                               

Music- The Fixx- Beautiful Friction

Phantom living............

Phantom living...........


This is PHANTOM LIVING!

The Fixx and I, we go way back.  They are as indelibly etched in the sounds of my childhood as Don Henley's "Dirty Laundry", the "Chess" soundtrack, and Pete Townshend song "Gonna Get You" (which may not be the title, but is to me).  These were all records my dad played when I was growing up, fond memories from the living room of the first place I truly remember living.  The Phantoms record was well worn, and I remember just the mood of that set of songs, sort of pondering and mysterious.

I've always loved the Fixx because they were great at setting a mood, and that began with their first release, "Shuttered Room", which included "Red Skies", sort of a hostile-takeover, danger-is-coming song.  As time went by, they still made some interesting albums.  2003's Want That Life had "You Don't Have To Prove Yourself", which was an uptempo, let's all get along shuffle, and Elemental before that had "Happy Landings", a touching song about recovery.

I wish I could say that Beautiful Friction was a masterpiece, that it took me back to their glory days or had a highlight song, but though I didn't dislike too many of the songs, it just didn't grab me as I hoped it would.  There are songs where the lyrics just aren't interesting, and songs where instead of letting a nice groove or instrumental go, singer Cy Curnin interjects inane words.  It's not all negative, though- now I might just find Phantoms to listen to  though it won't be the same since it's not on vinyl)

Music- Carry Me Back- Old Crow Medicine Show

Carry Me Back is Old Crow Medicine Show's first release since 2008- reviews described them as old-fashioned country, which is definitely true on their latest (also my first exposure to the group).  Carry Me Back starts out with the fast and furious title track, and it sets the tone for much of the album  There are several other rollicking tracks, such as "Mississippi Saturday Night" and especially "Sewannee Mountain Catfight".  I recommend Carry Me Back- I did enjoy the first half more than the second, and there are a couple cliched songs like "Ain't It Enough" and "Ways of Man", but it's overall a good listen.

Jeff Who Lives At Home- Quick Hit

In Jeff Who Lives At Home Jason Segel plays Jeff, a 30-year old living at home and believing in signs.  Ed Helms plays Pat, who is one-half of a desperately unhappy, uncommunicative marriage (the dude buys a Porsche without asking his wife).  Susan Sarandon plays their mother, who doesn't appear to be too proud of them or happy in her own life.  It takes a while to get into or care about the characters, but ultimately is worth the patience. 

Zac Brown Band- Uncaged

You Get What You Give, Zac Brown Band's previous release, was a pleasant surprise for me.  I was impressed by the range of styles- a little country, reggae, and some jamming thrown in for good measure, making it a solid collection of songs good for repeated listening.  Uncaged presents a different vibe- there's definitely more of a country flavor, although there are songs done on ZBB's consistent themes ("Jump Right In" and "The Island Song" are getaway songs that sound ideal for cruise line ads, and there are several heartfelt ballads such as "Goodbye In Your Eyes).  Uncaged isn't as memorable as YGWYG simply because it doesn't seem so, well, uncaged, as most of the songs are slow-to-midtempo, and unlike YGWYG, there isn't a single song in which ZBB really cuts loose.