Heavier Things

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Heavier Things
Heavier Things cover
Studio album by John Mayer
Released September 9, 2003
Recorded Avatar Studios
New York, NY
Ocean Way Recording
Hollywood, CA
Genre Folk rock
Blues rock
Length 46:17
Label Aware Records
Columbia (Cat: CK 86185)
Sony BMG
Producer Jack Joseph Puig
Professional reviews
John Mayer chronology
Any Given Thursday
(2003)		 Heavier Things
(2003)		 As/Is
(2004)
Singles from Heavier Things
  1. "Bigger Than My Body"
    Released: October 7, 2003
  2. "Clarity"
    Released: 2004
  3. "Daughters"
    Released: 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.

Contents

[edit] Production

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[1]

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.[1] Mayer took greater control of the creative side with this album; much of the album was recorded in his New York City apartment.[2] He also got final approval on all radio-edits.[1]

[edit] 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."[1] 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.[1]

[edit] Reception

Billboard said the album "firmly establishes him as a legitimate--albeit still puppy-eyed--singer/songwriter."[3] James Hunter with Rolling Stone called Heavier Things an "equally available yet more sophisticated album" than Room for Squares.[4] 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.[5] 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?"[6]

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.[7]

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

[edit] Track listing

All tracks written by John Mayer except where noted.

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

[edit] Personnel

The following persons worked on the production of Heavier Things:[8]

[edit] 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
  • - bass

[edit] Crew

  • Jack Joseph Puig — producer
  • Lars Fox — engineer

[edit] Credits

[edit] Chart positions and certifications

[edit] Australia

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

[edit] USA

  • Peak chart position: #1
  • Sales certification: 2x Platinum - sales: 2,951,992 [9]

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c d e Newman, Melinda; Whitmire, Margo. (2003-09-13), "John Mayer Gets Heavy". Billboard. 115 (37):1-14
  2. ^ Eliscu, Jenny (2003-11-27), "Songs in the Key of Mayer". Rolling Stone. (936):52-56
  3. ^ Ault, Susanne; Paoletta, Michael (2003-09-13), "Heavier Things". Billboard. 115 (37):33
  4. ^ Hunter, James (2003-10-02), "Corduroy Boy". Rolling Stone. (932):116 Retrieved October 2, 2003
  5. ^ Arnold, Chuck 2003-10-06, "Heavier Things". People. 60 (14):51
  6. ^ Mayer, John (June 2004), "THE RESIDENT ROCK STAR". Esquire. 141 (6):48
  7. ^ (2006). John Mayer SongWritersHallofFame.org. Retrieved on September 29, 2006.
  8. ^ Heavier Things CDUniverse.com Retrieved 2007-11-20
  9. ^ www.soundscan.com
Preceded by
Metamorphosis by Hilary Duff		 Billboard 200 number-one album
September 27 - October 3, 2003		 Succeeded by
Grand Champ by DMX
v • d • e
John Mayer
Discography
Studio albums
Room for Squares · Heavier Things · Continuum
EPs
Live albums
Singles
Other songs
John Mayer Trio
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