Music Reviews

John Mayer: ContinuumIt seems as though John Mayer has come out of his quarter-life crisis in his latest release, Continuum. The sound found here is not the regular John Mayer the pop world is used to after Room for Squares and Heavier Things.

The jazz and blues feel is the most apparent change in sound, plus there are no stupid lyrics on the order of “”Your Body is a Wonderland.”” There’s a slower pace on all of the songs, leaving more room for Mayer’s nifty jazz guitar solos. And sometimes Mayer is even reminiscent of Steely Dan.

The best songs on the album are “”Vultures,”” “”Stop this Train”” and “”Bold as Love.”” Compared to most other John Mayer hits, they will not make you want to dance the way “”Bigger Than My Body”” made you want to.

While Mayer’s 2003 release, Heavier Things, seemed painfully bland and unoriginal, Mayer has made a definite turnaround in his sound in Continuum.

-Amy Wieseneck

Most of the songs on the album are too slow and sappy. “”Home”” has a bass that just drags itself through the track. The vocals don’t help much either.

The vocals in “”Vanishing”” are just that. Aside from sounding sad, the band sounds bored enough to pack up their instruments and go home.

As they sing, “”There’s still a long way to go”” if the Barenaked Ladies want “”Adrift”” to be a single. Once again, the guitar and the vocals are depressing and monotonous.

“”Bank”” is the only song on this album that delivers. It has a more mature sound that is enjoyable to listen to.

The formula of the band’s older albums was thrown out the window when this one was made. Don’t expect to hear the Barenaked Ladies that you’ve loved.

– Ernesto Romero

Justin Timberlake: Future Sex/ Love SoundsAfter one spin of Justin Timberlake’s second solo album, Future Sex/Love Sounds, it is undeniable that Timberlake has moved on from his boy-band days to a more manly solo style. The album’s first single “”Sexy Back,”” was released in early July and became an international club hit, topping Billboard charts in the U.K. as well as America.

This mature, “”hip-hop-meets-pop”” album features guest appearances from Southern rapper T.I. and record producer Timbaland. The album’s fourth track, “”My Love”” includes rap samples courtesy of T.I., enhancing an already slick jam.

The second half of the album is where things go downhill. Track 11, “”Losing My Way,”” is a poor depiction of a crack addict’s issues of self-worth. It is not only depressing, but also boring.

However, thanks to the album’s producer Timbaland, Future Sex/Love Sounds is worth purchasing because of the club-banging hit “”Sexy Back,”” which could be the trendiest dance song of the year.

– Katy Graham