Sob Rock has some endearingly good songs and memorable moments. But its confusing stylistic choices, inconsistent track listing and dated themes make it an unfortunate head scratcher from John Mayer.
John Mayer is the Connecticut-based singer and songwriter who has had a massive career over the years and has been acclaimed as one of the most iconic guitarists over the past twenty years. He's also "accompanied" with Dead & Co: a touring group including the remaining members of the Grateful Dead. Of course dear reader, I'm sure you need no introduction to the man, the myth, and the legend known as John Clayton Mayer. But what about his current whereabouts or his new musical ventures aside from the Dead? Well my friend, let me tell you. We last saw a John Mayer studio album back in 2017 with The Search for Everything. No, you're thinking of The Theory of Everything, the movie starring Eddie Redmayne as Stephen Hawking. This is not it. Anyhoot... back then, I found it to be fairly inoffensive and enjoyable. I even found many of the production choices and guitar tones to be quite tasteful with songs like "Helpless" and "Still Feel Like Your Man." For the most part I found it to be a decently strong record of his from start to finish. Of course there were hiccups ("Emoji of a Wave") but it was understandably fine. I can give him a pass.
So here we are now... four years of John Mayer studio silence. Until a few months ago when Sob Rock arrived to the listener's doorstep (or at least the music streaming service of their choice on their smartphone). There's a lot to unpack with Sob Rock. For starters, the name itself. I get that the advertising is tongue and cheek, Mayer and Columbia Records are indeed self aware of the album and the marketing cheesiness. But goodness, when it comes to the songs themselves, I did not see this record coming. Aside from the marvelous single "New Light," which is three dang years old at this point, I didn't know what to expect. I was hoping for an album similar to the 80's influenced quirky groovy production of "New Light," which is fantastic and refreshing especially coming from a typically safer artist like Mayer. But boy oh boy, that is not what we got at all.
Sob Rock features the 80's rock and pop-isms that I was not hoping for. The production itself is truly the biggest issue for me personally. The songs for the most part are solid, well sung and written. But the overall sound of this thing is so drenched in the most dated production stylings I've heard on any record this year. I totally get where John and his producers are coming from. It is definitely an homage to the soft rock and pop from the 80's, no question. But did it have to sound this safe, this drab, this bland? I mean add a little bit of color or spice into this John! Some of these songs fortunately don't have this issue. Like I mentioned, "New Light" is the best song on here by a mile and has great production from No I.D. that is both vintage and modern at the same time. "I Guess It Just Feels Like" doesn't go in this 80's direction at all. Instead, it's a straightforward pop rock tune that's laid back, chill, and likable. On the other end, "Last Train Home" features these synths straight out of the Toto playbook and it goes well for the most part. It's a sweet homage and goes over decently with some nice backing vocals from Maren Morris. I wouldn't say it's brilliant or anything but it's a better track on the record and it's more tolerable for sure.
I ain't gonna beat around the bush: "Why You No Love Me" is rough. It's soooooo cheesy with its Eagles-like guitar licks and yacht rock chorus, repeating the track's ridiculous title. It's my least favorite for sure. "Wild Blue" actually is decent, reigning the Steely Dan rhythms and guitars. "Shot In the Dark" carries the sonic appeal of a cheesy 80's tutorial commercial on VHS tape. "All I Want Is to Be With You" features the classic "woah" vocal harmonies from every awful, cliche folk pop band that you've heard in a Jeep commercial (The Lumineers, X Ambassadors, American Authors, etc). And that's my biggest issue. It's not only the cheesy 80's vibe on many of the tracks here but the blaring inconsistencies with the track listing. "New Light" sticks out like a sore, decapitated, throbbing, bloody thumb and doesn't belong on this record at all. It's three years old too. I think Columbia was just like, "yeah, this song has been super successful for you. Since it never came out on a full length album, let's just slap it onto this one."
Sob Rock simply doesn't know what it want to be. Does it want to be an homage to 80's pop and soft rock, does it want to be something new and modern? Does it want to play around in coffee house land? There's an awkward clash between the sounds all over this thing. I would've loved to see an album of "New Light" styled songs. That's what I was hoping for when I noticed that it is included in the track list. It's genuinely fun, charismatic, charming, and full of excitement. I haven't felt that excited for a John Mayer single in like forever it seems. I wished John and his team came out with a clear and concise idea before putting this album altogether. I personally don't find the majority of these to be bad songs at all. Just as an album it's very confusing, flawed, and poorly executed as a collection of tracks that are meant to be stacked together as one project. Pretty much every single has been out for at least a year (three years for "New Light," two for "I Guess It Just Feels Like" and "Carry Me Away") and I personally think they all either should've been left out or should've been placed onto an album where it would've made sense to have them. This simply doesn't make sense. I apologize guys... I'm not trying to bash Sob Rock or John himself. I love John Mayer. I don't think it's bad. Most of these songs are enjoyable. This album is simply shrouded either with confusing production choices or just head scratching inconsistencies within the track listing and themes. Give Sob Rock a shot and see for yourself. There are good songs on here, most of them being likable and enjoyable too. I'm just left with it being a really random and awkward experience that should've ended up being way more concise and consistent, considering the veteran status John Mayer is at currently.
My Rating: 6 / 10
Favorite Songs: "New Light," "Last Train Home," "I Guess I Just Feel Like," "Wild Blue"
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