About Heavier Things by John Mayer Album
Heavier Things is the second major label studio album by singer-songwriter/guitarist John Mayer, released in 2003. Since his successful debut album, 2001's Room for Squares, Mayer had gained popularity as a creative and thoughtful songwriter, and this characteristic shines through on Heavier Things. The title of the album itself is a subtle response to certain criticism of Mayer's music. The album debuted at number one on the U.S. Billboard 200 chart, selling 317,000 copies in its first week. Despite some negative criticism towards Mayer's songwriting, Heavier Things received generally positive reviews from music critics. Background: Mayer felt he could be more relaxed and focus more on his art while making Heavier Things. With Jack Joseph Puig as producer, loops and horns were more prominently featured. Mayer took greater control of the creative side with this album; much of the album was recorded in his New York City apartment. He also got final approval on all radio-edits. Columbia Records used a conservative marketing campaign to promote the album. Columbia Records Group president Will Botwin says. "We think we're being smart. It's a long-term project. We understand what we're creating is a career. Effectively, that's the message: Keep the hype at bay." In keeping with that gameplan, the album's first single, "Bigger Than My Body", only went to radio a few weeks before the album's release; promotional broadcasts of the album were limited to MTV.com and Mayer's official site, both of whom began streaming the complete album the September 2 before its release. Scheduled television appearances included Saturday Night Live on Oct. 4 and several late shows.Columbia Records thought it was important to put Mayer in talk show-type scenarios before the album release to help bring focus to his art and to his singer/songwriter career; to steer away from the fame and celebrity hype. Singles Despite being "delayed" on the radio, the lead single "Bigger Than My Body" gained commercial and critical success. "Clarity" was the second single released from Heavier Things. Although the song usually receives rare radioplay, it is one of Mayer's fan favorites, and is normally performed at Mayer's concerts. The song received very positive reviews from critics, mostly being praised for its relaxing style and beat. "Daughters" was the last single released from Heavier Things. The song has become a huge commercial success, and has received largely positive reviews: many critics have hailed the song as Mayer's best yet. Upon its release, the album received generally positive reviews from music critics; it holds an aggregate score of 67/100 at Metacritic. Billboard magazine stated that it "firmly establishes him as a legitimate--albeit still puppy-eyed--singer/songwriter." Chicago Tribune writer Allison Stewart gave the album a favorable review and wrote that Mayer " crafted a sturdy, soulful pop album that credibly expands upon — but never abandons — his core sound". Despite writing that "his self-conscious lyrics can get in the way", Russell Baillie of The New Zealand Herald praised Mayer's musicianship and gave the album 4 out of 5 stars. Rolling Stone magazine's James Hunter called Heavier Things an "equally available yet more sophisticated album" than Room for Squares. In his own review for Esquire, Mayer gave the album a "B minus", adding, "Am I the only one who finds this record creepy to make out to?" Spin said, "Sadly, Mayer's idea of a good time involves hiring jazz musicians to make himself sound like '80s James Taylor. Accolades Mayer earned his first number-one single with "Daughters" as well as a 2005 Grammy for Song of the Year, beating out fellow contenders Alicia Keys and Kanye West. He dedicated the award to his grandmother, Annie Hoffman, who died in May 2004. He also won Best Male Pop Vocal Performance, beating Elvis Costello, Prince, and Seal for the award. At the 37th Annual Songwriters Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony in 2006, Mayer was honored with the Hal David Starlight Award. Track listing All tracks written by John Mayer except where noted. No. Title Length 1. "Clarity" 4:28 2. "Bigger Than My Body" 4:26 3. "Something's Missing" 5:04 4. "New Deep" 4:07 5. "Come Back to Bed" 5:23 6. "Home Life" (Mayer, David LaBruyere) 4:14 7. "Split Screen Sadness" 5:06 8. "Daughters" 3:58 9. "Only Heart" 3:52 10. "Wheel" 5:33 Touring Beginning on July 2, 2004, Mayer went on a 42-date tour with Maroon 5. Personnel Main musicians John Mayer – vocals on all tracks, guitars on all tracks David LaBruyere – bass on all tracks except 8 Jamie Muhoberac – keyboards on all tracks except 9 Lenny Castro – percussion on all tracks except 6, 9 and 10 Additional musicians Matt Chamberlain – drums on tracks 1, 2, 3, 6 and 10 Steve Jordan – drums on tracks 3, 4 and 5 Greg Leisz – lap steel guitar on tracks 2 and 5 Questlove – drums on track 1 Roy Hargrove – trumpet on track 1 Michael Chaves – guitar on track 3 Dan Higgins – saxophone on track 5 Jerry Hey – trumpet on track 5 Leroy – programming on track 7 J. J. Johnson – drums on track 9 Additional personnel John Mayer – art direction Jack Joseph Puig – production, mixing, recording Chad Franscoviak – engineering Ross Petersen – additional engineering Chris Steffen – additional engineering Lars Fox – digital engineering Bob Ludwig – mastering Ames Design – graphic design Danny Clinch – photography Chapman Baehler – album cover photography References Hilburn, Robert (September 18, 2003). "'Heavier Things' rises to the top". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 30, 2012. Stewart, Allison. "RECORDINGS". Chicago Tribune: 3. September 15, 2003. Caulfield, Keith. "John Mayer Snares No. 1 on Busy Billboard 200". billboard.com. November 25, 2009 Newman, Melinda; Whitmire, Margo. (2003-09-13), "John Mayer Gets Heavy". Billboard. 115 (37):1-14 Eliscu, Jenny (2003-11-27), "Songs in the Key of Mayer". Rolling Stone. (936):52-56 http://search.proquest.com/docview/992608 Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Heavier Things - John Mayer". Allmusic. Retrieved on 2009-12-29. Powers, Ann. "John Mayer: Heavier Things". Blender. Retrieved on 2009-12-29. Archived December 13, 2004, at the Wayback Machine. Sinclair, Tom (2003-09-12). "Heavier Things Review". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved on 2009-12-29. Hilburn, Robert (2003-09-07). "Mayer's 'Heavier Things' not quite weighty enough". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved on 2009-12-29. MacNeil, Jason (2003-12-02). "John Mayer: Heavier Things". PopMatters. Retrieved on 2009-12-29. "Critic Reviews for Heavier Things". Metacritic. CNET Networks, Inc. Retrieved September 17, 2009. Christgau, Robert. "CG: John Mayer". RobertChristgau.com. Retrieved 2013-03-24. Hunter, James (2003-09-09). "Heavier Things". Rolling Stone. Retrieved on 2009-12-29. Blanford, Roxanne (2003-09-10). "John Mayer: Heavier Things". Slant Magazine. Retrieved on 2009-12-29. Gardner, Elysa (2003-09-08). "Mayer's 'Heavier Things' has artistic heft". USA Today. Retrieved on 2009-12-29. Ault, Susanne; Paoletta, Michael (2003-09-13), "Heavier Things". Billboard. 115 (37):33 Baillie, Russell. "John Mayer: Heavier Things". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved on 2009-12-29. Mayer, John (June 2004), "THE RESIDENT ROCK STAR". Esquire. 141 (6):48 (2006). John Mayer SongWritersHallofFame.org. Retrieved on September 29, 2006. Ault, Susanne (May 1, 2004), "Mayer Hits Groove On The Road". Billboard. 116 (18):26 "RIAA Gold and Platinum Database Search". Retrieved 2009-12-14.
