Battle Studies
by John Mayer
  • Record Label: Sony
  • Release Date: Nov 17, 2009
User Score
7.4

Generally favorable reviews- based on 76 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 56 out of 76
  2. Mixed: 14 out of 76
  3. Negative: 6 out of 76

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  1. DustinP
    Nov 18, 2009
    5
    To say I was excited about this new album would be an understatement. I truly believe Continuum to be a showcasing of Mayer growing as an artist and musician. When I listen to Battle Studies I feel that Mayer has more in him and is begin to back pedal on his progress as a song writer. I believe he has more in him than what this album shows, and it just feels like a lazy effort. While it To say I was excited about this new album would be an understatement. I truly believe Continuum to be a showcasing of Mayer growing as an artist and musician. When I listen to Battle Studies I feel that Mayer has more in him and is begin to back pedal on his progress as a song writer. I believe he has more in him than what this album shows, and it just feels like a lazy effort. While it certainly isn't the worst album of the last decade it isn't one I'll turn to listen to frequently. Bring your A game next time Mayer.… Expand
  2. LisaB
    Nov 30, 2009
    6
    As usual, John lied. This album, as always, is for me and mostly about me, not Jennifer Aniston. Although, I must hasten to add that I wasn't the one who said John couldn't or shouldn't do half a dozen things. And I wasn't the other half of his many vulgar relationships. Just his former co-writer and muse. Please ask him when I'm getting paid.
  3. MaxL
    Nov 18, 2009
    4
    First off let me say I am a huge John Mayer fan. Second off, let me say that this album is a huge disappointment. Why? 1) There is no energy whatsoever. The entire album feels like background music at a dentist's office. It doesn't demand to be listened to. 2) The lyrics are painful to listen to. "If you want more love, why don't you say so?"... seriously? Clearly he has First off let me say I am a huge John Mayer fan. Second off, let me say that this album is a huge disappointment. Why? 1) There is no energy whatsoever. The entire album feels like background music at a dentist's office. It doesn't demand to be listened to. 2) The lyrics are painful to listen to. "If you want more love, why don't you say so?"... seriously? Clearly he has nothing to write about anymore, except the momentary emotion he gets from nailing a new hollywood starlet. 3) There is not a single memorable guitar riff on this album... save "Crossroads"... which isn't his riff. It pains me to think that he had years of time, and surrounded himself with talented musicians... and puts out something so safe and unoriginal. I still love Johnny, but I'll stick to his first 3 albums.… Expand
  4. PaulK.
    Nov 25, 2009
    4
    Is Mayer just trying to fulfill a record contract before moving on? That's what it sounds like here. This guy is just wasting his talent with these melodramatic, sentimental little ditties. Big disappointment. Mayer is capable of so much more than this.
  5. RichardM
    Nov 29, 2009
    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 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
  6. BrianN
    Nov 17, 2009
    6
    At times a bit too introspective and whimsical, but when Mayer hits the right notes (Assassin, Who Says), he really hits the right notes. Sadly what most of what this album is comprised of though, his die hard fans will swoon over and love, but as for drawing in new fans or people on the fence about music, he wont see much of a Continuum.

Awards & Rankings

66
#66 Most Discussed Album of 2009

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
64

Generally favorable reviews - based on 17 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 17
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 17
  3. Negative: 1 out of 17
  1. Billboard.com
    79
    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.
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  2. Boston Globe
    70
    Even when the proceedings threaten to get turgid, the intimacy of Mayer’s expression never wavers, and in many ways that’s the album’s greatest victory.
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  3. Entertainment Weekly
    67
    Battle Studies is, for the most part, status quo Mayeromics — an expertly calibrated study in soft-pedal confessions, searching lyricism, and mildly groovy guitar licks.
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