Born and Raised
by John Mayer
  • Record Label: Columbia
  • Release Date: May 22, 2012
Metascore
73

Generally favorable reviews - based on 10 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 10
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 10
  3. Negative: 0 out of 10
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  1. AllMusic
    May 21, 2012
    70
    Those two sounds [folk and country] are the best vehicles for the kind of solipsism Mayer engages in on Born and Raised, where he does his best to sound sorrowful and contrite yet manages to stumble upon his own deep-seated desire to remain a lover-man.
  2. Uncut
    Jun 1, 2012
    70
    The Don Was-produced album proceeds at an unhurried pace, featuring Jackson Browne-like confessionals and Young-style, harmonica-accented shuffles. [Jul 2012, p.77]
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  3. Rolling Stone
    May 22, 2012
    80
    As usual, his playing is restrained and elegant; he's a singer-songwriter with a session man's soul, so every breezy solo or sun-dappled acoustic spindle is comfy and luxe like a spun-silk blanket.
  5. Entertainment Weekly
    May 21, 2012
    75
    The Laurel Canyon music scene of the '60s and '70s is a major touchstone here... and that ramble-tamble style suits him.
  6. The Independent (UK)
    May 21, 2012
    40
    It's all very laidback and earnest, but the endless lo-cal homilies ultimately grate.
  7. Boston Globe
    May 24, 2012
    70
    It's an honest, and oftentimes compelling, statement on his road to redemption.
  8. The New York Times
    May 21, 2012
    70
    Maybe Mr. Mayer didn't really set out to make his version of a Ryan Adams album, but it suits him at this moment.
  9. American Songwriter
    May 31, 2012
    60
    Born and Raised a prime example of the John Mayer paradox--it's good enough to satisfy even his most casual fans, but the old-school Mayerisms that remain will only anger his detractors.
  10. Billboard.com
    May 22, 2012
    83
    It's one of Mayer's most diverse and exploratory albums yet, trying on a variety of different styles to accompany a set of particularly reflective and soul-searching tunes.
  11. Absolute Punk (Staff reviews)
    May 21, 2012
    91
    As a whole, Born and Raised is contrite, earnest and warm.

Awards & Rankings

94
#94 Most Discussed Album of 2012
49
#49 Most Shared Album of 2012

User Reviews

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User Score
8.3

Universal acclaim- based on 62 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 54 out of 62
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 62
  3. Negative: 2 out of 62
  1. sashaioffine
    May 23, 2012
    10
    9.9 actually. I sometimes miss his blues edge throughout the album. But almost always it is earnest, brilliant, and beautiful music. Thank you, John.
  2. ManilaCritic
    Jun 27, 2012
    5
    I was waiting for something new and different from John but this is just like the rest of his lukewarm albums. Nothing special and nothing toI was waiting for something new and different from John but this is just like the rest of his lukewarm albums. Nothing special and nothing to offer lyrically. Its not all bad its just nothing special.… Full Review »
  3. burger1124
    May 29, 2012
    9
    "Born and Raised" is easily Mayer's best studio work since "Continuum." His previous offering, "Battle Studies," is gaining much criticism in"Born and Raised" is easily Mayer's best studio work since "Continuum." His previous offering, "Battle Studies," is gaining much criticism in the wake of this new release, but it's clear that "Studies" was a transitional piece, both musically and personally, for Mr. Mayer. While I still argue that "Continuum" is the artist's best work to date, but Born and Raised is a necessary step in Mayer's maturation process, as musician and man. That said, it's a near-perfect album, the one fans have been wanting since "Continuum." The guitar work is less complex, the vocals are emphasized, and there isn't as much layering of instruments as on prior efforts. This is a stripped-down Mayer, and his vulnerable voice sounds even more wounded than normal, likely the result of his pre-surgery recordings. The title track and "Walt Grace's Submarine Test, January 1967" are career highlights for Mayer, who proves yet again that he is at the forefront of his generation's singer-songwriters… Full Review »
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