Smitty City

Continuum, Mayer's third major release, finally eclipses the breathy pop-acoustic vibe that he previously discharged. With a brilliant mix of Motown type soul and Chicago blues, Mayer's smooth voice and guitar will captivate even the staunchest of blues aficionados. I first heard Mayer on an episode of the highly popular medical drama, House. At first, I had no idea who the singer/songwriter was until I Googled the lyrics of his soulful and emotional single, "Gravity." This particular song did something to my spirit.

There is not a song on the album that isn't worth stopping the train of your day to listen to. The critically and commercially recognized single, "Waiting on the World to Change," a falsetto-laden "Vultures," and a phenominal cover of Jimi Hendrix's "Bold as Love" help sculpt this record into a piece that will forver aid the definition of this generation's music. I would strongly recommend listening to this album start to finish, there is an emotional purpose in it's order.

There are few albums that have ever swept me away, but Continuum has succeeded. I would consider it to be one of the greatest cds I have ever heard (if your curious of it's company...ask). I was particularly impressed when at times he would coat a song with his own background vocals (one of the reasons I love Michael Jackson so much), as well as the placement of his stout guitar riffs. I must also admit that his rich, distinct voice is beyond sexy. There is an amazing unity in his voice, music, and lyrics that I rarely hear. Ultimately, preference is present, but you must know that Smitty doesn't get excited about music too often. Check out this 28 year old's work and let me know what you think. Connecticut's own, a drop-out of Berklee College of Music, has secured his seat as the savior of blues. Do you dig Clapton or Stevie Ray Vaughn? Dig the evolution.

Dave Campbell and I often discuss modern music that people will listen to decades from now... I think Gabriel's son will know of Continuum-Music by John Mayer.

My heart has been ripped out of my chest and thrown over a cliff. My emotions are unstable. My world is now blurry. My mind tells me to continue no more. There is only one thing that can extinguish the pain...time travel. I must travel back to my childhood and re-live it. I need to re-breath the earth's air at the age of six. I must re-experience Mrs. Simpson's class all over again. Things have changed. Life must be done all over. If 8 was the number then, my life would look completely different now. How could they do this to us? How dare they? I was happy. I was content. My life had been established with the knowledge of nine. Albeit, tucked away in a dark, damp corner under the cranium, that knowledge has influenced my mind's functioning for 22 years. I was wrong when I lost my first tooth, I was wrong when I gave my life to Christ, I was wrong when I graduated high school, when I got married, when I had my first child. How could they do this to me now? I cannot go on without re-living life as it is now. I will never forgive them.

I announce my text, then run to the cross.