Maybe it's just pop music, but I am excited for this album.

[Tig]

After a few more listens, this album does sound better. A few of the songs are pretty damn good! I wouldn't call it a "guitar album" compared to John's past work or other guitar icon's.

 

[R_of_G]

As far as Wilco, I guess they used to sound a bit more "alt-country" if that genre term has any descriptive value. But I don't think that helps either. They sound like Wilco to me.

"Alt country" is more useful in describing the music. When it originated around bands like Uncle Tupelo (which eventually birthed Wilco) the term "alt-country" clearly applied to music that was different than what the vast majority of country music was at the time, in contrast to "alt rock" which, as you mentioned, is a term so broad it can encompass two bands nobody would otherwise compare. When I hear/read alt-country I have some idea what to expect.

 

[Tig]

When I hear/read alt-country I have some idea what to expect.

Yep, this is when labeling does help. When browsing or searching music, especially bands that are new to you, it helps to steer you in a general direction.

 

[sunvalleylaw]

After a few more listens, this album does sound better. A few of the songs are pretty damn good! I wouldn't call it a "guitar album" compared to John's past work or other guitar icon's.

That is what I would expect of this album. I understand from some old interviews that john likes to experiment writing songs in different styles of music, ala the blues stuff, some of the soul oriented stuff on "Continuum" etc. I would expect him to write some more country/cowboy song style stuff, and have the guitar part fit the songs, rather than write as much for the guitar. One of the reasons I am interested in it. If you listen carefully to the last album (as Tig, I am sure you have), there are some cool guitar parts. But they don't stand out in the same way that a Hendrix solo does. I am hoping for some of that in this one. I meant to stream it on iTunes today, (as you can for free right now) but i got busy and forgot.

 

[sunvalleylaw]

"Alt country" is more useful in describing the music. When it originated around bands like Uncle Tupelo (which eventually birthed Wilco) the term "alt-country" clearly applied to music that was different than what the vast majority of country music was at the time, in contrast to "alt rock" which, as you mentioned, is a term so broad it can encompass two bands nobody would otherwise compare. When I hear/read alt-country I have some idea what to expect.

I have heard a very little Uncle Tupelo, though I know of Wilco being birthed from them. I need to go back and explore that sound. But I really like the influence Nels brought, with his jazz oriented experimentation, etc. I am so excited to see him play, and was very pleased to hear your review in the live shows thread. I like Tweedy's recent song writing, and feel it has some Beatlesque touches here and there. Excited to see him and the rest of the band too. The bass player (John Stirrat) always looks like he is having so much fun.

 

[guitartango]

I listened to the album this morning and not that impressed to be honest, no outstanding tracks for me. You are better off buying JoeB's new album which to me sounds a lot better. I am not sure which direction Mayer is trying to go at the moment, I would call this middle of the road music.

I need a few more listens before I deceide to buy this, it might grow on me or maybe not.

 

[sportnut9]

I feel this album is more country then recent albums. None the less, i love them all. Most of the songs i learn on guitar are John Mayer haha

 

[jpfeifer]

As Steve Earle said, "there are two kinds of music, good music and bad music."

I love that quote! I think he is right on with that remark. I kind of think of music in the same way that I do food. Why eat the same kind of stuff everyday? I like all kinds of music in spite of the misleading labels that are often used for bands. I still listen to a lot of old stuff, and I also listen to a lot of the Indie stuff that my kids recommend to me, because they grew up hearing all of the songs that I like (so they know what to recommend to me)

I love John Mayer's music. He is a fantastic songwriter, great guitar player, great singer, and his albums are produced extremely well. There's a lot to like in his work. I don't care if they call it Pop or Dad Rock, etc. Most of his stuff is really good.

It seems that the older I get, the more music I like. Anymore, the only music I don't like is the stuff that seems to be trying to copy some kind of hit formula, or just lacking in any musicality whatsoever. So I don't get into the American Idol kind of Pop thing, or rap, or death metal, but I like just about everything else if it's done well. Lately, I seem to be finding more bands classified as Indie that I really like. I think the Indie term just means that they are less mainstream, at least this is the way I think of it.

--Jim

 

[sunvalleylaw]

I finally got a copy of it. Have listened just a bit. I like it so far. Nothing earth shattering, but good, listenable music when I am in the mood for a mellow vibe.