Battle Studies

Finally, after three years of messing about with famous women and popping up everywhere from Fantasy Factory to the Oscars, John Mayer has remembered that he’s actually a musician and he’s made an album!

When Battle Studies arrived on my doorstep last week, I was excited. I’m a big Mayer fan and I’d been following the process of recording and putting the record together through his website, twitter and some leaked live shows. I already knew a few songs on the album but the majority of the ten tracks were fresh to my ears.

And...I hated it. No, hate is too strong; I was disappointed. It was a departure from the blues/pop/rock that I’d grown used to the last few years. Instead, it sounds like a California, laid back rock record. Considering I’m currently in rainy, flood ravaged England anything that sounds like it should be accompanied by warm sunny breezes was a bit of a stretch. Plus it’s a concept album on heartbreak. Concept. Album.

Then I gave it some time. I felt it out, listened to it over and over and now...I love it. Now I can feel that warm sunny breeze and I like the laid back feel. I like that I don’t have to pretend to appreciate long guitar solos and can enjoy the lyrical quality. I still hate the cover art though. So. Bad.

My favourite tracks are Half of my Heart with our favourite Taylor Swift (although really, she should’ve had a lot more to do on the track than the measly three words she was given), Assassin is the coolest song I’ve heard in ages and Heartbreak Warfare makes me excited to see him live next year.

Welcome back Mayer. Let’s not make it such a long wait next time okay?

Posted By: Cat

Taylor Swift

We’ve been doing this blog for a year now, and although we agree on many of the things we post on here, Nicci and I have never written an entry together. And what is the honoured topic for this occasion? Well its right up there in bold. Taylor Swift.

Not only does she produce insanely catchy pop/country crossover songs, but she writes them, and performs them live. This is not a common occurrence in the world of teen pop idols. Her video for You Belong With Me is dorky and cute and the kind of video I would have made if I ever had an ounce of music talent or was a pop star. Playing two characters fighting over the same boy? Having a Cinderella style prom ending? Wearing huge geeky glasses? All amazing.

Sometimes I think that Taylor wrote the story of my teenage and early twenty years a few years too late. It’s amazing how relatable her songs are. Case and point: I sent a text to one of my best friends saying, “Youtube “Fifteen” by Taylor Swift.” She responded almost immediately saying, “Oh dear, that is us.” And there are like fourteen other songs of hers that tell the story of my life. I really think that most anyone can pinpoint a song on any of her two albums, or even a track of hers floating around that hasn’t found a home on an album and relate to it on an extremely personal level.

Not only does Taylor have major talent, but she genuinely seems like a classy and humble lady. She’s only nineteen, and where she could be out underage drinking and getting into cars sans underwear, she instead holds herself with respect. Her Twitter posts are witty, sweet and she never has a bad word to say about others. In other news, I covet her eyeliner. I, Nicci, love her because she represents for the tall girls. I should also add that besides her representing for the tall girls, she always seems legitimately excited to be wherever she is performing, always makes time for her fans, and seems genuinely interested in what her fans has to say and makes them feel like they’re one of her best friends.

Its rather topical for us to blog about Taylor. Since Sunday night she’s been the talk of internet Kanye West and his ever growing ego tried to steal her limelight with a jumped up idea of how he rules the world and ergo, award ceremonies. He’s almost twice Taylor’s age and yet she has a thousand times more class, composure and humility. Guess he's just mad because she's outsold him and his 808 repetitiveness.

Mostly we like her because we would like to be her best friend.

Posted By: Nicci and Cat