When I first heard about the name and concept of singer/songwriter John Mayer's fourth studio album, "Battle Studies," I winced.
When the track listing was released, and I saw that the album would feature songs titled, "Heartbreak Warfare," "Assassin," and "War of My Life," I groaned.
But when I listened to the album last week, after finding a link to a leak of the album on Twitter, I sighed with relief.
My initial reaction to Mayer equating failed relationships with the horrors of war was a hearty, "Puh-lease."
He's my favorite modern pop artist, and I'm all for metaphor, but no breakup is even close to people dying.
But then I thought about the last time I got dumped, and I imagine the experience is one many can relate to.
You're not thinking clearly. Nothing is more important than the pain you're feeling.
It's incredibly hyperbolic, in every way. Mayer's album isn't saying that heartbreak is in the same league as war, but it can certainly feel like it.
The songs on the album cover the whole gamut of emotions inherent to the breakup experience.
"Heartbreak Warfare" is that initial hyperbolic declaration, featuring a guitar solo in the style of Jeff Beck.
"Edge of Desire" is an anthem of breakup remorse, when you know there's a bulleted list of reasons why you broke up, but you want the other person back, right this moment, regardless of whether it's the right thing to do.
"War of My Life" sounds like a revelation at sunrise after a night of thinking about your situation.
Its quiet positivity, acknowledging that heartbreak isn't the end of it all, makes it this album's "Gravity."
"Friends, Lovers or Nothing" is that revelation that you can't have it both ways and that it might be best to move on.
"Assassin" is a perfect example of lyrics matching up with music.
When the character in the song is learning something, it sounds like things are becoming clearer, and when that something is horrible, the solo section sounds like a vicious panic attack.
Mayer's voice sounds better than ever, and the restraint he shows when recording guitar solos means this album is going to really open up when played live.
If you want an album from a guitar player who knows how to write a song, this is it.
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