Heavier Things
| John Mayer
Heavier Things
Heavier Things is the second studio album by American singer-songwriter John Mayer, released on September 9, 2003 by Aware and Columbia Records. The album debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200, selling over 317,000 copies in its first week of sales.Despite some criticism towards Mayer's songwriting, Heavier Things received generally positive reviews from critics.-Wikipedia
Critic Reviews
Show All-
Rolling Stone
September 9, 2003. With his follow-up, Heavier Things, Mayer offers an equally available yet more sophisticated album. . . . Heavier Things marks no grand departure from Mayer’s previous calm. Yet it does profit from a few key adjustments.
-
AllMusic
. . . Mayer is smooth, slick, and streamlined on his second or third album (it all depends if you count his 1999 debut, Inside Wants Out, half of which was re-recorded for Room for Squares, which itself was released in two different incarnations), playing things straight and following the blueprint his big radio hit, "Your Body Is a Wonderland," provided.
-
Slant Magazine
September 10, 2003. Rather than signaling an overall change of sound, Heavier Things instead showcases Mayer’s growing maturity as a pop songwriter.
-
musicOMH
October 13, 2003. Heavier Things is, as the title suggests, a less poppy affair than its predecessor, and while the songs may not be as immediate, it makes for a more satisfying listen.
-
PopMatters
December 1, 2003. Overall, Heavier Things is a sophomore effort that doesn't have as many drawbacks as one might assume. Seems he's in it for the long haul.
-
Entertainment
September 12, 2003. Overall, ”Heavier Things” is snappier than, say, a Bruce Hornsby CD, if not as rockin’ and emotion-drenched as the latest from Dashboard Confessional.
-
Plugged In
“Daughters” makes a strong social statement, but most of Mayer’s mellow, Sting-like meandering on Heavier Things is lyrically lightweight.
-
Snippets
September 29, 2004. Heavier Things does have a bit of a different sound than his first album, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. The songs are wonderful, and the lyrics, as I expected, are innovative and unique.
-
Medium
December 4, 2017. Heavier Things stands out as a descriptive and engaging album of importance to any and all music fans. With smooth rhythm, and colorful solos his Mayer-esque uniqueness dances into your ears.
-
Mind Equals Blown
May 22, 2012. With Heavier Things, John Mayer turned away from the mostly straightforward pop-rock of Room For Squares to develop a more bluesy sound, demonstrating his skill and growth as a guitarist, singer, and songwriter. He maintained his pop sensibilities but added extra layers of depth.
-
Common Sense Media
As a whole, this CD all works: beautiful imagery, heartfelt emotion, deft storytelling, and exceptional musicianship. Mayer saves himself, more than once and with admirable skill, from over-the-top drippiness with a welcome edge of self-deprecation.
-
Teen Ink
Sometimes, a heavy dose of things can be a good thing, and this is definitely true with Mayer's sophomore album. He brings all the sounds he's got, and offers mature, free ideas not present in his first album, "Room for Squares."
-
Daily Vault
January 17, 2005. On Heavier Things, the fuller, mostly electric arrangements feel organic, even when strings or synths are occasionally added to the mix. Even more importantly, Mayer carries the day with a breezy confidence and natural charm that is absolutely winning in the context of songs as full of thoughtfully delivered emotional truths as these.
-
The Sydney Morning Herald
September 19, 2003. On Heavier Things, his third album proper, you can't fault the songs' construction, with their '70s Californian feel mixed with Cat Stevens at his most pleasant, their ever-so-polite funkiness and Mayer's close-to-your-ear voice.
-
Everyday Marvin Reviews
July 19, 2018. So there you have it a solid album all the way through I feel. I would give John Mayer's Heavier Things an "A". It has a solid songwriting, production value and his voice sounds good and is pleasant to listen to.
-
Soul Shine Magazine
The music on this album is good, but nothing terribly special.
-
Album Reviews with Jack Evans
October 21, 2012. All in all, it's a good album - nothing great. From this point in his career going forward I feel like he's continually gotten better and better.
-
Billboard
April 14, 2017. While it didn’t necessarily match up to its predecessor, what Heavier Things did do for Mayer was prove that he wasn’t a one-and-done kind of artist.
-
Los Angeles Times
September 7, 2003. Mayer's 'Heavier Things' not quite weighty enough.
Rate This Album and Leave Your Comments