music, shmusic: John & Jon

May 22nd: 'Born and Raised' by John Mayer

"Goodbye cold, goodbye rain

Goodbye sorrow, goodbye shame

I'm headed out west with my headphones on

Boarded a flight with a song in the back of my soul

And no one knows" 

-Queen of California

I've been listening to this album pretty much non-stop for a week now and I'm definitely not sick of it. This album is John Mayer's first in two years and it was worth the wait. John took a hiatus of sorts for the last couple years... moved to Montana, had surgery on his vocal cords, grew up a bit, and wrote and recorded this album. (More on all that here: interview with Ellen, interview with NPR)

I have been able to relate on some level with most of John's songs, I'm emotionally attached to almost every one. (Except for 'Waiting On the World to Change', I avoid politics like the plague.) This album has a lot less angst than his previous albums, angst might not be the right word. So I'll say that this album feels to me like a huge sign of relief. I feel like these songs reflect a man that is beginning to see his potential, beginning to be ok with the musician that he is. I suppose he said as much in his interview with NPR, but I feel like he did a great job making the listener feel it in the tracks that make up Born and Raised.

(obviously not my photo.)

My two favorite tracks on the album are "Walt Grace's Submarine Test, January 1967" and the title track, "Born and Raised". 

"Walt" is a song about a man that "...took a homemade, fan blade, one-man submarine ride." I love story songs and this song is not only fun to listen to, but has been fun for me to dissect. The story is about a man who builds a submarine and takes it to the other side of the world. He uses it to start his next life, leaving everything (including his wife and kids) behind. I wonder if John used this fictional man to give life to some of the emotions he's experienced over the last few years. Considering the backlash he received for his infamous Playboy and Rolling Stone interviews, facing the uncertainty of the state of his voice, and who knows what else it would make sense that'd he'd want to get away for a while. In his interview with Ellen he talked about his big move from California to a remote part of Montana and how good it's been for him. I suppose it seems a little bit silly, a man building a submarine, but I love the emotion in the song, and specifically in these lines.

"And for once in his life, it was quiet

As he learned how to turn in the tide

And the sky was a-flare when he came up for air

In his homemade, fan blade, one-man submarine ride."

Life is too busy sometimes and I lose myself in the craziness. I wouldn't mind locking myself in a quiet submarine and shipping off somewhere.

"Born and Raised" is the title track and after hearing the song and listening to the couple interviews I've heard with him, it makes sense. Essentially this song is about growing up. Pretty basic concept, but when you look back to tracks like "Stop this Train" off of Continuum it's obviously something he's struggled with and avoided. 

"And all at once it gets hard to take
It gets hard to fake what I won't be
Cause one of these days I'll be born and raised
And it's such a waste to grow up lonely"

My favorite line in the whole song is that last one from the section above. Probably because it's true. [: I appreciate the honesty in his songwriting... the things he's writing about are completely relatable; very little fluff.

The album finishes off with, "Born and Raised - Reprise" and it's a very happy outlook on growing up. I love the contrast between the two tracks... the first feels like facing the mountain and the second and final track is coming down on the other side. It's another moment where you can hear the peace in getting past so much that had been holding him back before. 

The album as a whole is great. Even though Continuum is still my favorite, I think this album is his best so far. The songwriting is poignant and transparent... he doesn't hide much from the listeners. SO GO LISTEN.

More May 22nd releases:

• That's Why God Made the Radio by The Beach Boys
• Once Upon Another Time - EP by Sarah Bareilles
• Vows by Kimbra
• Gestalt by The Spill Canvas

"Restless" by Switchfoot

(obviously not my photo.)

I went to a Switchfoot concert last week. I'd never seen them live so I didn't really know what to expect. Jon Foreman is one of my favorite songwriters, his Season EP's changed my life. A few years ago I spent over $60 to own all four on vinyl, that's how much I love them. If you haven't heard them they really are brilliant. Anyway... the show was great despite a crappy venue and poor sound and I ended up being super glad I went.
One of the songs off Vice Verses called, "Restless" is the newest addition to my list of favorite songs. Jon writes about restlessly seeking after Jesus. The biggest desire in my life is to love Jesus well and through that love the people around me well. This song hits me so hard every time I hear it. In a cool way God is using Jon to convict me of own complacency/laziness in my relationship with Jesus. There will never be an end to the things God can teach me, so I should be restless in seeking them out. If I'm not growing and seeking Jesus I'll never see the love I desire to give live out in my actions.
Up until last Wednesday I hadn't given Vice Verses a real chance, but in between listening to Born and Raised I've been jamming it and it's really good.

"I am restless
I run like the ocean to find your shore
I’m looking for you"

Sometimes my DSLR weighs me down and takes away from enjoying the music... so I left it home for this show. However not having a camera just makes me feel really anxious so last minute I asked my friend Heather to pick up a disposable camera for me. She very kindly stopped at a Walgreens so I could keep my prime parking spot at the venue. The three photos below are from Switchfoot's set...

More MUSIC!:

• Sigur Rós' upcoming album, Valtari is streaming on NPR right now - it's good.
• Regina Spektor's upcoming album, What we Saw From the Cheap Seats is streaming on NPR - also very good.

Both albums drop next Tuesday and I'm stoked! 

What are you listening to today??

xoxo 

-c