Heavier Things

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Heavier Things
Studio album by John Mayer
Released September 9, 2003
Recorded Avatar Studios
(New York, New York)
Ocean Way Recording
(Hollywood, California)
Genre Rock, pop
Length 45:33
Label Aware, Columbia
CK 86185
Producer Jack Joseph Puig
John Mayer chronology
Room for Squares
(2001)		 Heavier Things
(2003)		 Continuum
(2006)
Singles from Heavier Things
  1. "Bigger Than My Body"
    Released: August 25, 2003
  2. "Clarity"
    Released: April 12, 2004
  3. "Daughters"
    Released: September 28, 2004
"Daughters"
John Mayer's "Daughters" from Heavier Things
Problems listening to this file? See media help.
Professional ratings
Review scores
Source Rating
Allmusic 3.5/5 stars....[1]
Blender 3/5 stars....[2]
Entertainment Weekly (C+)[3]
Los Angeles Times 2.5/4 stars...[4]
The New York Times (favorable)[5]
PopMatters (mixed)[6]
Rolling Stone 4/5 stars....[7]
Slant Magazine 3/5 stars....[8]
USA Today 3.5/4 stars...[9]
The Village Voice (mixed)[10]

Heavier Things is the second studio album by American musician John Mayer, released September 9, 2003 on Columbia Records in the United States. The title of the album itself is a subtle response to certain criticism of Mayer's music. The album debuted at number 1 on the U.S. Billboard 200 chart, selling 317,000 copies in its first week.[11] Despite some negative criticism towards Mayer's songwriting, Heavier Things received generally positive reviews from most music critics, based on an aggregate score of 67/100 from Metacritic.[12]

Contents

[edit] Background

There's a certain swing-for-the-fences feel and a hurried nature that I think you have when you're making your first record and have much to prove. Now that I'm in a higher gear, I don't have to press so hard on the gas, and I'm loving it.

John Mayer, Billboard, 2003[13]

Mayer felt he could be more relaxed and focus more on his art while making Heavier Things. With Jack Joseph Puig as producer, loops and horns were more prominently featured.[13] Mayer took greater control of the creative side with this album; much of the album was recorded in his New York City apartment.[14] He also got final approval on all radio-edits.[13]

Columbia Records used a conservative marketing campaign to promote the album. Columbia Records Group president Will Botwin says. "We think we're being smart. It's a long-term project. We understand what we're creating is a career. Effectively, that's the message: Keep the hype at bay."[13] In keeping with that gameplan, the album's first single, "Bigger Than My Body", only went to radio a few weeks before the album's release; promotional broadcasts of the album were limited to MTV.com and Mayer's official site, both of whom began streaming the complete album the September 2 before its release. Scheduled television appearances included Saturday Night Live and several late shows.[13] However, "Bigger Than My Body" is today considered one of Mayer's signature songs.

[edit] Singles

Despite being "delayed" on the radio, the lead single "Bigger Than My Body" gained commercial and critical success. "Clarity" was the second single released from Heavier Things. Although the song usually receives rare radioplay, it is one of Mayer's fan favorites, and is normally performed at Mayer's concerts. The song received very positive reviews from critics, mostly being praised for its relaxing style and beat. "Daughters" was the last single released from Heavier Things. The song has become a huge commercial success, and has received largely positive reviews: many critics have hailed the song as Mayer's best yet.

[edit] Reception

Upon its release, the album received generally positive reviews from most music critics, based on an aggregate score of 67/100 from Metacritic.[12] Billboard magazine stated that it "firmly establishes him as a legitimate--albeit still puppy-eyed--singer/songwriter."[15] Chicago Tribune writer Allison Stewart gave the album a favorable review and wrote that Mayer "[has] crafted a sturdy, soulful pop album that credibly expands upon — but never abandons — his core sound".[16] Despite writing that "his self-conscious lyrics can get in the way", Russell Baillie of The New Zealand Herald praised Mayer's musicianship and gave the album 4 out of 5 stars.[17] Rolling Stone magazine's James Hunter called Heavier Things an "equally available yet more sophisticated album" than Room for Squares.[7] In contrast, People magazine said the record lacked "another killer single...that would have cemented his standing as a major new artist built to last.[18] In a self review for Esquire, Mayer gave the album a "B minus", adding, "Am I the only one who finds this record creepy to make out to?"[19]

Mayer earned his first number-one single with "Daughters" as well as a 2005 Grammy for Song of the Year, beating out fellow contenders Alicia Keys and Kanye West. He dedicated the award to his grandmother, Annie Hoffman, who died in May 2004. He also won Best Male Pop Vocal Performance, beating Elvis Costello, Prince, and Seal for the award. At the 37th Annual Songwriters Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony in 2006, Mayer was honored with the Hal David Starlight Award.[20]

[edit] Track listing

All songs written and composed by John Mayer except where noted. 

No. Title Length
1. "Clarity"   4:28
2. "Bigger Than My Body"   4:26
3. "Something's Missing"   5:04
4. "New Deep"   4:07
5. "Come Back to Bed"   5:23
6. "Home Life" (Mayer, David LaBruyere) 4:14
7. "Split Screen Sadness"   5:06
8. "Daughters"   3:58
9. "Only Heart"   3:52
10. "Wheel"   5:33
Bonus disc
No. Title Length
1. "Clarity (Acoustic)" (Recorded Live in the Star Lounge on 12/9/03) 4:23
2. "Neon (Live)" (Recorded Live at Allstate Arena, Chicago IL on 11/28/03) 6:14
3. "Come Back to Bed (Live)" (Recorded Live at The Palace, Detroit MI on 11/29/03) 10:47
4. "Kid A" (Colin Greenwood, Jonathan Greenwood, Ed O'Brien, Phil Selway, and Thomas Yorke) 2:53
5. "Clarity (Single Remix)"   4:15

[edit] Personnel

Main musicians
Additional musicians
Additional personnel

[edit] Chart history

Chart (2003) Peak
position
Australian Albums Chart 4
Danish Albums Chart 5
Dutch Albums Chart 19
Irish Albums Chart 72
New Zealand Albums Chart 15
UK Albums Chart 74
U.S. Billboard 200 1

[edit] Certifications

Country Certification
Australia Platinum
United States 2× Platinum[21]
Chart procession and succession
Preceded by
Metamorphosis by Hilary Duff		 U.S. Billboard 200 number-one album
September 21, 2003 - September 27, 2003		 Succeeded by
Grand Champ by DMX

[edit] References

  1. ^ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. Review: Heavier Things. Allmusic. Retrieved on 2009-12-29.
  2. ^ Powers, Ann. Review: Heavier Things. Blender. Retrieved on 2009-12-29.
  3. ^ Sinclair, Tom. Review: Heavier Things. Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved on 2009-12-29.
  4. ^ Hilburn, Robert. Review: Heavier Things. Los Angeles Times. Retrieved on 2009-12-29.
  5. ^ Pareles, Jon. Review: Heavier Things. The New York Times. Retrieved on 2009-12-29.
  6. ^ MacNeil, Jason. Review: Heavier Things. PopMatters. Retrieved on 2009-12-29.
  7. ^ a b Hunter, James. Review: Heavier Things. Rolling Stone. Retrieved on 2009-12-29.
  8. ^ Blanford, Roxanne. Review: Heavier Things. Slant Magazine. Retrieved on 2009-12-29.
  9. ^ Gardner, Elysa. Review: Heavier Things. USA Today. Retrieved on 2009-12-29.
  10. ^ Weisblott, Marc. Review: Heavier Things. The Village Voice. Retrieved on 2009-12-29.
  11. ^ Caulfield, Keith. "John Mayer Snares No. 1 on Busy Billboard 200". billboard.com. November 25, 2009
  12. ^ a b "Heavier Things reviews at Metacritic.com". Metacritic. CNET Networks, Inc. http://www.metacritic.com/music/artists/mayerjohn/heavierthings. Retrieved September 17, 2009. 
  13. ^ a b c d e Newman, Melinda; Whitmire, Margo. (2003-09-13), "John Mayer Gets Heavy". Billboard. 115 (37):1-14
  14. ^ Eliscu, Jenny (2003-11-27), "Songs in the Key of Mayer". Rolling Stone. (936):52-56
  15. ^ Ault, Susanne; Paoletta, Michael (2003-09-13), "Heavier Things". Billboard. 115 (37):33
  16. ^ Stewart, Allison. "Review: Heavier Things". Chicago Tribune: 3. September 15, 2003.
  17. ^ Baillie, Russell. Review: Heavier Things. The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved on 2009-12-29.
  18. ^ Arnold, Chuck 2003-10-06, "Heavier Things". People. 60 (14):51
  19. ^ Mayer, John (June 2004), "THE RESIDENT ROCK STAR". Esquire. 141 (6):48
  20. ^ (2006). John Mayer SongWritersHallofFame.org. Retrieved on September 29, 2006.
  21. ^ "RIAA Gold and Platinum Database Search". http://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?resultpage=1&table=SEARCH_RESULTS&action=&title=Heavier%20Things&artist=John%20Mayer&format=&debutLP=&category=&sex=&releaseDate=&requestNo=&type=&level=&label=&company=&certificationDate=&awardDescription=&catalogNo=&aSex=&rec_id=&charField=&gold=&platinum=&multiPlat=&level2=&certDate=&album=&id=&after=&before=&startMonth=1&endMonth=1&startYear=1958&endYear=2009&sort=Artist&perPage=25. Retrieved 2009-12-14. 

[edit] External links

John Mayer
Studio albums
Live albums
Extended plays
Video albums
Singles
Featured singles
Other songs
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