John Mayer’s “The Search for Everything”

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John Mayer’s newest album “The Search for Everything” came out last month on April 14

Matt Mandell, Latitudes Editor

John Mayer’s new album, “The Search For Everything,” is exactly what it sounds like: Mayer pulls all his tricks out of his sleeve whether it’s blues rock, melancholy love songs, or his masterful country tone, you can find it on his newest release. His assortment of genres is what I see as Mayer trying to discover himself as a musician.

Throughout his career, Mayer has proven to be quite transcendent. Starting off as an acoustic guitarist in his early albums “Inside Wants Out” and “Room For Squares”, he quickly transitioned toward a blues rock genre which he showcased in his most successful album “Continuum.” He followed “Continuum” with “Battle Studies” which was a return to pop but was just as successful. “Born and Raised” and “Paradise Valley” came out after Mayer’s reclusion from public both of which had a slower, and more country sound. Recently Mayer formed Dead & Company, a group consisting of three former Grateful Dead musicians, who have now toured for three summers.

As far as “The Search For Everything,” there’s no way to label it. Mayer’s attempt at self discovery keeps the listener guessing by putting no pattern to his tracks. The song “Rosie,” a slow, blues-guitar, melody is adjacent to “Roll it on Home,” a song with Mayer’s loveable and harmonious, midwestern twang.

Part of the reason Mayer’s seventh studio album is so irresistible is the flawless production. Most noticeable in “Moving On and Getting Over,” Mayer brings a clean and rich sound to compel his listeners to stay with him through all twelve tracks. Executive producer Steve Jordan worked with Cat Stevens and Keith Richards in his early career only to join The John Mayer Trio in 2005.

The album cover has Mayer with a tape measure wrapped around his forehead. While upon first glance it’s rather provocative and bizarre, it has some meaning. “The Search For Everything” is Mayer pushing his limits, dusting off all corners of his musical capabilities, and showing his flexibility as an artist. The album scores four stars on the Mandell scale. While it is right and clean, its tracks can be slightly bland.