2006, Columbia Records
The latest from the award-winning John Mayer, Continuum, is a soulful combination of blues and pop music forms; his blending of skillful blues-style guitar melodies and his signature voice work towards what is ultimately a palatable album. Clearly, John Mayer isn't afraid to embrace his success; instead, he takes it with a certain refreshing confidence.
The sound Mayer's Continuum embodies fits well in with current socioeconomic trends in the US -- the weary trepidation of post-9/11 society has mostly faded away, leaving an uncertain individual confidence that, perhaps, wasn't around prior. Certainly there are still worries, but people, generally, have embraced concern over a more personal moral sphere, and songs like "Stop This Train" and "I Don't Trust Myself (With Loving You)" embody such.
Continuum is an album that succeeds where it aims -- it's something that's undoubtedly embraced by a wide variety of listeners, due in no small part to the Mayer's rich, smooth voice. There's not a drop of uncertainty in his voice; Mayer exudes a warm visage that could only be achieved by the unlikely combination of a hardened blues guitarist and a sentimental, soulful vocalist.
While Continuum may not be the most groundbreaking, avant garde album of the year (far from it, really,) it is certainly easy to absorb. Not all music needs to be mentally challenging, really, and when something contradictory comes along that just sounds right, it's hard to let go.