release date: Sep. 24, 1999
format: cd (2002 reissue)
[album rate: 3,5 / 5] [3,34]
producer: John Mayer, Glenn Matullo, David LaBruyere
label: Columbia - nationality: USA
Track highlights: 1. "Back To You" - 2. "No Such Thing" - 3. "My Stupid Mouth" - 4. "Neon" - 6. "Love Soon"
Studio ep debut by John Mayer is originally a self-released album on Mayer Music containing nine tracks; however, the original cd was released in limited numbers and it was reissued in 2002 by Columbia now leaving one track out from the original.
Stylistically, it's mostly pop / rock but with a clear inspiration from jazz, blues rock, and rhythm & blues. The first four songs would later be included on his full-length studio album debut Room for Squares (2001) in slightly completely altered versions. Especially the track "Neon" - here an acoustic solo, is transformed into a more electrified pop / rock band-version on the 2001 album.
The album contains both slick produced tracks as well as completely narrowly produced compositions showcasing Mayer as a singer / songwriter, folk artist picking his acoustic guitar while singing. And actually, the overall negative aspect about the ep is that Mayer stays undecided as to whether he wants to appeal to a predominantly pop / rock audience or a more folk and jazz-based crowd. Something that he should always be in doubts about it seems.
This first collection of songs points in two separate directions, but it also reveals a gifted artist with a broad repertoire. All in all, it's fine, although, it leaves you thinking, it could have been great.
