With Continuum, John Mayer solidifies himself as one of the premier talents of our day. Not only does he surpass expectations, he crushes them.

This is an album oozing with confidence, passion, and mastery in every square inch. A subtle, yet intricate masterpiece, that strives to achieve excellence in musicianship rather than an attempt to make a “popular” album.

This isn’t an album that you automatically love. Rather, it’s an album that you really have to listen closely to appreciate. To be honest, if you listen to this album without really hearing it, you may find it to be a rather dull experience, but that is the farthest thing from the truth.

Instead of the nearly-acoustic piece of immature lovability that was “Room For Squares” or the overly produced yet highly enjoyable “Heavier Things,” we get an album full of bright, beautiful, yet simple moments. Touching, truthful sentiments surrounded by melodic, soulful guitar solos. Slow, soft songs that beg to be appreciated for the qualities they possess, not the fluff that they lack.

John Mayer admits that he didn’t really love his past albums, because they weren’t what he truly wanted to play. Rather they were quality albums made by an exceptional songwriter/musician, but not the music that he longed to create.

Since he amassed critical acclaim as well as commercial success, John Mayer took full control of his latest effort to create a smooth R&B record. That is his love, and it truly shows with every song. It is by far his most passionate and personal record to date. Some artists aren’t given their ability to find their voice, luckily for John Mayer, he was given the opportunity to do so after delving into this style of music with the live album “Try!”.

While listening to “Continuum,” you may be thinking to yourself, “Wow, this is my favorite song. This is really good.” Then, by the next song you have found yourself a new favorite. I’ve listened to this album numerous times, and every time I found myself thinking this same thing over and over again, to be pleasantly surprised that the limits of my expectations are pushed to their limit.

After the single “Waiting on the World to Change,” we are immediately greeted by a two-song set that is well worth the album price. The funky bass line of “I Don’t Trust Myself (With Love)” is immediately catchy. Then “Belief” is another exceptional tune.

“Gravity” then becomes my new favorite, with it’s slow paced yet entirely engaging guitar, it’s exceptional lyrics, and a strong vocal performance, it easily solidifies itself as a standout track, albeit one of many.

Once “Stop This Train” rolls around, the real treat begins. Call me fruity, but there is one song on every John Mayer album that seems to pull on the heart strings, something that is so universally relatable, but completely personal. On “Rooms” it was the wonderful “3×5″ and “Not Myself.” On “Heavier” it’s “Something’s Missing,” Split Screen Sadness,” and “Wheel.”

“Stop This Train” is so damn truthful it is almost painful to listen to. Growing older is a part of everyone’s life and something that everyone wants to avoid, but the lyrics here capture the feeling so well it is near impossible not to feel the sting, yet reminisce on your memories and those of with your parents with adoration.

Don’t know how else to say it / don’t wanna see my parents go / So scared of gettin’ older / I’m only good at being young / So I play the numbers game / to find a way to say that life has just begun / Had a talk with my old man / said help me understand / he said turn 68 you’ll re-negotiate / don’t stop this train / don’t for a minute chase the place you’re in / and don’t think i couldn’t ever understand / I tried my hand / John, honestly we’ll never stop this train / Once in awhile when it’s good / it’ll feel like it should / And they’re all still around / and you’re still safe and sound / And you don’t miss a thing / til you cry when you’re driving away in the dark / singing “Stop this train.”

“Slow Dance in a Burning Room” perfectly captures a relationship that is going down in flames, yet both members try to hold onto some semblance of what made them happy to begin with. “Bold As Love” is the faster paced song on the album, and it is a welcome addition to give the listener a quick change of pace. The guitar solo here is a joy to listen to. Honestly, if this was a 3-song EP, I think I would listen to it over and over again. These three songs in succession rival a full-length album’s quality in that short span of time.

The end of the album is just as good, but the major high points and aspects of praise can be applied to these, so I’ll just conclude this thing. Bottom line, this is an exceptional album, and it should probably be graded with an A-plus. Guitar work from one of the best the best in the biz, some of the best lyrics I can remember that could make a hardened criminal sentimental, and soulful melodies are all on full display. However, there are points that can drag, and this is not an album for anyone with a short attention span. It’s an album that takes effort, and most likely is best listened to in a dimly lit room sipping on something to relax ya nerves. But, if you make the effort, it’s a near-perfect musical experience that you’ll want to repeat many-a-time. Honestly, just give this man the Grammy already, because I don’t think there’ll be a better album this year.

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