It's a surprise that John Mayer's huge Stateside success has never really travelled across the Atlantic. But if he hoped Battle Studies would be the album to garner more international acclaim, he's probably going to have to wait longer than he wanted.
That's not to say that there's anything particularly wrong with his fourth studio effort, but Mayer seems to rarely push himself beyond a retread of familiar territory. Following 2006's strongly blues influenced album Continuum, he jettisons many of the elements that made that record a step forward to return to a sound reminiscent of his debut here.
Clearly unlucky on a romantic front Mayer seems to take the view that love is an emotional battlefield. These are his reports from the frontline, but it's nothing we haven't heard before. 'Heartbreak Warfare' is a perfect example, a subdued pop song that uses loose militaristic imagery to tie it to the theme of the album; "I swear to God we're going to get it right, if you lay your weapon down" Mayer croons in a rather passionless voice. It's a lyric that sounds like it's been written to make it fit on the album as opposed to something he really means.
The laid back, mellow mood that prevails across the 11 songs continues for lead single 'Who Says'. But again Mayer's lyrics sound a little ham fisted; "who says I can't get stoned, turn off the lights and the telephone. Me in my house alone, who says I can't get stoned?" It almost sounds like he's trying to make a simple love song sound edgy by courting controversy.
It's undeniable that the guitar work and melodies on these tracks show a songwriter at the top of his game, but at times he sounds so emotionally unconnected to the material that the songs seem to loose any impact they could have had. 'Perfectly Lonely' sounds like it should be a song tinged with regret, but Mayer sounds perfectly happy to be in his loveless predicament.
The more funky 'Crossroads' is worth a listen, as is 'Assassin', but in general it's a largely forgettable album. Removing some of the studio polish to reveal the emotional core of the material could have made Battle Studies a more engaging concept album, but unfortunately Mayer seems to fall a little short of the promise he has shown in the past.
Rating: 3/5