He sings, he writes, he’s John Mayer, and he’s just released his major label debut, Room For Squares. Of course, one can guess the title by looking at the album’s cover, which features a photograph of Mayer sitting in a room divided into small square pieces. It’s an original concept, but the same cannot be said about Mayer’s music on this disc.

To be sure, Room For Squares is an expertly produced album. John Alagia and Jack Joseph Puig make the bluesy, jazzy riffs on songs such as “Neon” sparkle. The lyrics can be clever, too. On “No Such Thing,” Mayer sings of the “good boys and girls [who] take the so-called right track...they read all the books but they don’t find the right answers.” It’s this sort of imagery and intelligent language that make the lyrical concepts on Room For Squares sound fresh.

So what’s the problem? Mayer’s voice seems to nearly echoes that of Dave Matthews, making some really solid songs like “Great Indoors” sound like the work of a DMB cover band. This flaw consistently detracts from one’s enjoyment of the record.

It’s unfortunate, because Room For Squares makes it clear that Mayer is a charismatic, talented musician. Hopefully, the next record will also bring a unique voice.
John Mayer

Room For Squares

(Columbia)

reviewed by Gabrielle Grubka