Heavier Things

Infobox Album
Name = Heavier Things
Type = studio
Artist = John Mayer


Released = September 9, 2003
Recorded = Avatar Studios
New York, NY
Ocean Way Recording
Hollywood, CA
Genre = Folk rock
Blues rock
blue-eyed soul
Length = 46:17
Label = Aware Records
Columbia (Cat: "CK 86185")
Sony BMG
Producer = Jack Joseph Puig
Reviews =
*Allmusic Rating|3.5|5 [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:o7rb287l05na link]
*"Blender" Rating|3|5 [http://www.blender.com/guide/reviews.aspx?id=1173 link]
*"Rolling Stone" Rating|4|5 [http://www.rollingstone.com/reviews/album/_/id/300650/ link]
*PopMatters (mixed) [http://www.popmatters.com/music/reviews/m/mayerjohn-heavier.shtml link]
*Slant Magazine Rating|3|5 [http://www.slantmagazine.com/music/music_review.asp?ID=324 link]
Last album = "Any Given Thursday"
(2003)
This album = "Heavier Things"
(2003)
Next album = "As/Is"
(2004)
Misc = Singles
Name = Heavier Things
Type = studio
single 1 = Bigger Than My Body
single 1 date = October 7, 2003
single 2 = Clarity
single 2 date = 2004
single 3 = Daughters
single 3 date = 2004

"Heavier Things" is the second major label studio album by singer-songwriter/guitarist John Mayer, released in 2003. Since his successful debut album, 2001's "Room for Squares", Mayer had gained popularity as a creative and thoughtful songwriter, and this characteristic shines through on "Heavier Things". The title of the album itself is a subtle response to certain criticism of Mayer's music.

Production

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. Mayer took greater control of the creative side with this album; much of the album was recorded in his New York City apartment. [Eliscu, Jenny (2003-11-27), "Songs in the Key of Mayer". "Rolling Stone". (936):52-56] He also got final approval on all radio-edits.

Promotion

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." 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.

Reception

Billboard said the album "firmly establishes him as a legitimate--albeit still puppy-eyed--singer/songwriter." [Ault, Susanne; Paoletta, Michael (2003-09-13), "Heavier Things". "Billboard". 115 (37):33] James Hunter with Rolling Stone called "Heavier Things" an "equally available yet more sophisticated album" than "Room for Squares". [Hunter, James (2003-10-02), [http://www.rollingstone.com/reviews/album/_/id/300650/johnmayer?pageid=rs.ArtistDiscography&pageregion=triple1 "Corduroy Boy"] . "Rolling Stone". (932):116 Retrieved October 2, 2003] 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. [Arnold, Chuck 2003-10-06, "Heavier Things". "People". 60 (14):51] 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?" [Mayer, John (June 2004), "THE RESIDENT ROCK STAR". "Esquire". 141 (6):48]

Mayer earned his first number one single with the song "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. [(2006). [http://www.songwritershalloffame.org/award_recipient_detail.asp?ceremonyId=27&awardRecipientId=150 John Mayer] SongWritersHallofFame.org. Retrieved on September 29, 2006.]

The album did well commercially, debuting at number one on the Billboard 200.

Track listing

All tracks written by John Mayer except where noted.

# "Clarity" – 4:32
# "Bigger Than My Body" – 4:26
# "Something's Missing" – 5:05
# "New Deep" – 4:09
# "Come Back to Bed" – 5:25
# "Home Life" (David LaBruyere/John Mayer) – 4:13
# "Split Screen Sadness" – 5:06
# "Daughters" – 3:59
# "Only Heart" – 3:50
# "Wheel" – 5:32

Personnel

The following persons worked on the production of "Heavier Things": [ [http://www.cduniverse.com/productinfo.asp?pid=6155067&BAB=E Heavier Things] CDUniverse.com Retrieved 2007-11-20]

Musicians

*John Mayer - vocals, guitar
*Greg Leisz - lap steel guitar
*Dan Higgins - saxophone
*Jamie Muhoberac - keyboards
*Steve Jordan - drums
*Matt Chamberlain - drums
*J.J. Johnson - drums
*Michael Chaves - guitar
*Larry Castro - percussion
*David LaBruyere - bass

Personnel

*Jack Joseph Puig — Producer, Engineer, Mixing
*Lars Fox — Engineer

Credits

* Chapman Baehler - cover photo

Chart positions and certifications

Australia

*Peak chart position: #4
*Sales certification: 1x Platinum

USA

*Peak chart position: #1
*Sales certification: 2x Platinum - sales: 2,951,992 [www.soundscan.com]

References