I wouldn't put any of these songs on par with the best from B&R or PV. I still really like 75% of them though.
I've already come to terms with the fact that nothing from him will ever touch B&R. That's completely fine although I have hardly returned to anything since.
Born and Raised didn't resonate with me. "Shadow Days" was a lame single, "Queen of California" and "Love Is A Verb" were subpar... it's probably my least favorite of his albums. I preferred Paradise Valley and so far I prefer the EPs.
Those are probably my 3 least favorite songs on the album. Although I really enjoy them all. "If I Ever Get Around to Living", "Walt Grace..", "Whiskey x3", and "A Face To Call Home" are enough for me to call it my favorite John Mayer album. It's honestly not even remotely close. Contiuum is an easy second though of course even if "Waiting On the World to Change" is one of the most annoying songs ever
I need to go to a support group for my ranking addiction. BUT.... Continuum > Battle Studies > Heavier Things > Born & Raised > Room for Squares > Paradise Valley
I listened to Born and Raised again this afternoon, and seriously nothing clicks. Continuum has probably become my favorite. "Vultures" is such a deadly track, the guitar and bass interplay is just fantastic. "I Don't Trust Myself", "Gravity", "Belief", "Stop This Train"... that whole stretch is just fantastic songwriting. Tend to agree with you on "Waiting". I was and still am a big fan of Heavier Things but Continuum is just too good. Continuum > Heavier Things > Paradise Valley > Room For Squares > Battle Studies > Born and Raised
That one and "Stop This Train" are his best songs and among the best songs that anyone has written this century.
Love both of those songs, but if I were to pick one JM song to be part of the best of the century, I'd go with Gravity.
"Gravity" is great, but it relies a lot on his guitar skills and less on the songwriting itself, imo. I think the other two are more well written songs.
Heavier Things >= Continuum >> RFS >>>>> Battle Studies/B&R Still haven't listened to PV in its entirety and really feel no desire to. Despite B&R being my least favorite, "A Face To Call Home" is one of the best songs he's ever done.
Damn, "Born and Raised" (the song) was a moment. He's always had this gift, but when he turns a simple lyric over it just feels so effortlessly wise. "In half the time, I'll be twice my age..."
Kinda bummed that the "album" is only 12 tracks but I can see how a record label would be, "hey John I know you're cool and all but you're going on tour and we need you to lock these songs down so we can sell it at your shows." I know he's not done an interview really explaining how many songs but the only one I have to go on is, "It's not over until I tweet it's over" so unless he says anything, my fingers are crossed for more waves after the album. I'll honestly keep the other 4 songs and just call it Wave 3 and play them in that order
Looks like I'm the only one who is excited for this new album. I'm seeing Mayer in Boston a week from Sunday. Very excited to see what the set list is for this tour!