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Before I continue with this review, I would like to have it known that I managed to stay away from the iTunes previews and the lyric videos and while it was incredibly difficult (you have no idea, well maybe you do.) I’m so glad I did it, because I had an amazing experience listening to this album for the first time. Keywords; balcony, sunshine, JM fans, barbecue, beer, strawberries and Born and Raised. We were toasting in champagne throughout this record! Now, I’ve been listening to this record for 6 days straight so here’s my review of it. (Oh, and a little heads up; this is probably going to get lengthy…)

Queen of California: Perfect choice to start off the record with. You can immediately feel that mid-70’s California laid back, organic, sunny vibe once this song starts and it’s maintained well throughout the song. It’s very introductory, and gives you a certain inclination to what this album is going to feel like. Like the lyric, whenever I hear this track I just want to get out of my apartment, put my headphones on and walk around aimlessly. It’s a feel good song from start to finish.

Age of Worry: This song was a big surprise to me. It’s much taller and more dominant than what I suspected it was going to be. It’s definitely a stark contrast to the opener. Love how he sings and puts pressure on certain words to match the drum rhythm. ‘Don’t be scared to walk alone. Don’t be scared to like it. There’s no time that you must be home so sleep where darkness falls.’ Now that’s a lyric right there… This song has a very important message to it and he sounds very determined throughout, it sounds like an anthem. He’s almost insisting that you’re going to listen to what he’s singing. It feels like he standing tall, to your face saying ‘listen to this, make friends with you are.’ Good advice, John…

Shadow Days: I think this was a great choice as the first single, because it sets the tone on just how honest and open he’s going to get on you. There’s no hiding behind doors, deceptiveness or ambiguity here and I have mad respect for putting the lyric ’I’m a good man, with a good heart’ in it. I agree with him, why not just say it? If you’ve got a couple of verses that can back up why you chose to use those words, why not. It’s brave of him, but at the same time it’s something that you should be allowed to say, without people craning their necks ready to come down on you, so I applaud it. 

Speak For Me: Such a sweet tune with an incredibly vulnerable and earnest sounding voice. This song sounds very enchanting, gentle and tranquil. Love the ‘la di da di da’ part and how it ends with that low, extended ’hey’. And the lyric ‘I’m not mad about it, but I’m not that mad about it’ is such a fresh and fun play with words. It completely shifts the entire meaning of the lyric, and it broadens the palette a little bit. Lovely song.

Something Like Olivia: This song sounded pretty much like I had envisioned it would, which is great obviously. Love the detail in the guitar solo where you can hear him turn the volume knob up, it doesn’t get more raw and real than that. I keep bopping my head during this song. The catchy melody grabs your attention immediately. 

Born and Raised: This instantly became a favorite. Melodic perfection meets thought shattering lyrics. More specifically; lyrics that knocks you down on your knees… And Crosby’s and Nash’s harmonies are so delicately arranged. This song is a scintillating collection of beautiful melodies and sky-scraping harmonies. Lyrics like ‘got a mom, got a dad, but they do not have each other’ I mean, gut punch of a lyric… And there’s lots of ways you could cover that line up with some sort of metaphor (which we all know John loves) but why not just be forthright? It’s a hell of a lot more interesting sometimes to say it simply. If your original intention is right, no one can say that your words are too small. 

If I Ever Get Around To Living: Another instant favorite. Again, a little raspy granuloma infected voice, but oh so beautiful. He sounds like morning coffee on the veranda. Love that there’s not really a standard chorus or pattern in this song, and that it shifts tempo-wise and melodically. ‘You are hiding in your mind, working all the time, trying to make it better than you got it.’ Again; undisguised, upfront and sincere, and I love the ‘think you better wise up, boy’ part. Makes me wonder if this is something his mom used to say to him or something… And the guitar playing is again so incredibly lush! The ear for melody he has is just insane.

Love Is A Verb: Another profuse, delightful little number and oh so gentle. Short but with a poignant and strong message all wrapped up into an instrumental dream, and it’s big compared to how short it actually is, which just adds to the complexity of it. Dig the ‘Love ain’t a drug, despite what you’ve heard.’ lyric and the ‘show me’ echoing in the background is so tender and lavish. 

Walt Grace’s Submarine Test, January 1967: This was also a surprise, because he’s never composed anything that even comes close to this before. I love the gloomy, melancholic intro and how it shifts into this almost bizarre, in the most beautiful way, song. It has an incredibly haunting atmosphere to it that I find very moving and it’s such an interesting song in terms of lyrics. They take you on this long journey and I love that I can’t get a full, tight grip around the lyrics of this song. I kinda hope I never do ‘cause I follow John’s musical stories like a kid follows a fairy tale. 

Whiskey, Whiskey, Whiskey: A deeply warm, spellbinding, tasteful (no pun intended) and almost sullen song. Love the ’Great, now it’s raining’ lyric, such a colorful lyric, it just stays with you. Love the harmonica on it, the subtle electric guitar, and the pedal steel is beautiful and it also has that last heart wrenching lyric that just pushes it over the top for me; ’dreamed somebody missed me.’ No further comment needed. 

A Face To Call Home: And, another favorite. (I know.) Full of haunting phrases, air-locked harmonies and chiming guitars, but what makes this song for me is from 2:28 and onwards. That is without a doubt, some of the most gorgeous music John has ever put on a record. It’s like this swelling euphoric explosion of beauty! ‘Maybe I could stay a while, I’m talking like all the time.’ Again; wow. Love the instrumentation, the overlaying of lyrics and the way ‘home’ soars all the way until the very end of the song and this song doesn’t leave your ears until that very, very last second. “A Face To Call Home” creeps into my bloodstream and has me swaying with no real concept of time until it ends. I just want to press ‘play’ again. I can’t wait to hear this song come to fruition on stage. Can’t wait.

Born And Raised: Wonderful way to end the record. A flavored, rootsy and wooden tune. ‘It’sgood to say, now I’m born and raised.’ Full closure. Done. Let’s go.

Final thoughts: This is an album that comes from the heart, not the pen, not the cleverness of songwriting. I remember he said back in 2008;

‘What connects with people is you connecting with yourself.’

Sums up Born and Raised in a lot of ways… What we have here is a deep, coherent and absolutely charming album that veers from moments of absolute greatness to moments of touching simplicity. It’s impressionistic- I feel like each song represents a shade. It’s a remarkably well-crafted and detailed album, yet they have left room for some rough edges. There’s never a moment where any song goes crooked, it’s artistic and exploratory. I’m still swept away by the richness of the songs, the ability to be simple but complicated at the same time, the crisp details, the unexpected moments, the lovely layers of vocal harmonies and the tone of his voice, all the different textures and structures, the sparkling acoustic guitar work, the way he plays with light and shade and the emotional, personable quality that runs throughout it.

I trust every word he sings on this record, and I can’t say that for a lot of artists these days. And it all just feels so utterly authentic. He’s not writing to let you know that he’s a good writer. It’s real, restrained yet passionate. He’s gently bringing his sentiments and thoughts to your door, he isn’t trying to knock you over with it.

And I also want to say, I applaud him for always evolving musically and otherwise. For exploring the unknown, wanting to learn new instruments and repurposing the familiar ones. That’s what an artist is supposed to do. There are artists in this world that are born with immense talent. Then you have those who work hard to become talented. Then you have artists like John who are born with great talent, who are simply wired for it, but still works hard to become something more, and those are the greats in my opinion. 

I’m so incredibly proud of him, and seeing him love this record as much as we do, absolutely warms my heart. Born and Raised deserves all the praise and wonderful reviews and chart positions it’s already gotten. I can’t even begin to explain how much I needed a record like this right now…

‘Hey world, you ain’t seen nothing yet.’ - John Mayer

(via blacksuitpinktie)