Battle Studies - John Mayer
Battle Studies Image
Metascore

Generally favorable reviews - based on 17 Critics What's this?

User Score

Generally favorable reviews- based on 56 Ratings

  • Summary: The singer-songwriter's latest album was co-produced with Steve Jordan.
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 17
  2. Negative: 1 out of 17
  1. 80
    As with its predecessor, 2006's Continuum, not a note, not a breadth, is wasted--and the playing, from a crack team including Pino Palladino, Steve Jordan and Ian McLagan, is unfussily superb throughout. [Jan 2010, p. 90]
  2. While the artist has raised some eyebrows by asking, "Who says I can't get stoned?" (on the album's first single, 'Who Says'), the rest of the collection certainly has the goods to eclipse that overblown controversy.
  3. While Heartbreak Warfare and War Of My Life chug pleasantly along in their Police-lite way, and Taylor Swift makes the briefest of cameos on the bittersweet half Of My Heart, true inspiration, as ever, remains a conspicuous absentee. [Jan 2010, p. 120]
  4. It's clear that he's capable of far more than this. What's most puzzling and disappointing about Battle Studies, then, is that its banality seems like a deliberate choice.

See all 17 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 20
  2. Negative: 1 out of 20
  1. DaveP
    10
    There aren't enough musicians out there today who understand that "Pop" is not a dirty word, and that pop music need not be simplistic twaddle. Battle Studies is a case in point: Somewhat less adventurous than his previous album, Continuum, it is nonetheless a truly excellent POP album. Expand
  2. ScottH
    8
    Not as good as I had hoped. Assassin is my favourite track on the album. Friends, Lovers, or Nothing and Heartbreak Warfare rate high with me as well. Some of Mayer's new songs are repetitive (i.e. All We Ever Do Is Say Goodbye) and, I hate to use this term, filler to get through the song. This is a more relaxed album and it shows it. I don't see the musical or lyrical attack in this album like his previous installments. Songs like Waiting on the World to Change, Your Body is a Wonderland, Daughters, etc... explored his musical boundaries. This album is more intimate and personal. The title is perfect. This album goes back and reflects on what he's done so far. The experience and growth he's had as an artist is truly reflected in Battle Studies. Expand
  3. KaiR
    7
    I definitely say 7 with a heavy heart. After Continuum and Where the Light Is, I was definitely expecting something... I don't know, PROFOUND, maybe. After listening to the album in its entirety the first time, I found it forgettable and I couldn't believe I of ALL PEOPLE was thinking this. I practically swear by the man's music. I had to listen again and most of the songs have at least grown on me, but I definitely don't have a favorite to rival my favorites from his past albums. I'm still definitely going to see him in concert in February when he comes to DC, but I feel like this album was either meant to raise my expectations for the next one, or made so he could get out of the studio and get on with it. Expand
  4. RichardM
    4
    I've been a defender of John Mayer since the beginning and, until now, that was an easy job. Each album has been better than the last, and they've all been loaded with well-written songs and great guitar work. Not so with battle studies. There's no other way to say it - this album flat sucks. The songwriting is lazy and uninteresting, the pace is tedious. Crossroads is outright embarassing. Hopefully he'll chalk this one up as a lesson learned and go back and listen to continuum ten times before be starts writing the next batch of tunes. Expand

See all 20 User Reviews