Customer Reviews

Inside Wants Out

5 star:		(66)
4 star:		(13)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Okay, I'll admit it. My little sister turned me on to John Mayer last summer during his tour promoting "Room for Squares."

I own RFS and would give it a 5 out of 5. It is outstanding, and this isn't even my favorite genre of music, so that's saying a lot. And no, I'm not a Dave Matthews fan and I think Mayer sounds nothing like Dave Matthews, though I may be in the minority on that.

I bought "Inside Wants Out" knowing it was a "prequel" disk and that it is not full length. That is important for you to know, this album is not full length. It is more of a demo that he used to promote himself, and now that he has achieved acclaim it is being re-released.

However, those caveats being said, I would still suggest purchasing this album if you are a Mayer fan. There are enough new songs (songs not on RFS) to make it worthwhile. The songs that appear as fully-realized songs on RFS are in their pre-production stage on IWO, which is not to say they are bad at all. These songs are accoustic and simple and in a way give a more intimate feel.

I was turned on to John Mayer shortly before he broke out into mainstream, having seen/heard him on Conan O'Brien. I couldn't recall his name afterward (I knew it was John M-something), and I hadn't caught the name of the song in the first place, but I often reflected back on the chorus of what I'd later find out was "No Such Thing" and wonder if I'd hear it again so I could pick up the album.

"Room for Squares" came out, and I heard "No Such Thing" on the radio, and I did pick it up, and it remains one of my favorite singer/songwriter albums, but then I heard about "Inside Wants Out." The album is John's earlier work, recorded independently with him on acoustic guitar and no fancy mixes or backing. The four tracks present on both this album and "Room for Squares" (No Such Thing, Back to You, Neon, and My Stupid Mouth) come across as more honest and heartfelt in this version, with an intimate, rough-edged quality to them that brings to mind private concerts or livingroom performances.

In my personal opinion, if you haven't heard "My Stupid Mouth" done acoustically, you haven't heard it. The "Inside Wants Out" version of this song is by far my favorite John Mayer song, bar none, and is presented the way the song was meant to be heard--as an open, honest ballad rather than a big production. "Neon" stands out in this album, as well, and while I believe it superior to the "Room for Squares" version, both are excellent and worth listening to (perhaps simply in different settings). "Back to You" comes across almost exactly the same on both versions, and "No Such Thing" is equally good on both albums.

The real gem of this CD is the new content--the B-Sides Victoria, Love Soon, and Comfortable. The wistful, romantic "Comfortable" is a song for a dearly-missed ex-lover, and tugs at the heartstrings of all who have loved and lost, even if we loved again. "Victoria" is a melancholy, sad ode to someone who had to move on rather than stay where she was, with lovely but depressing lyrics and progression. And finally there's the upbeat, optimistic "Love Soon," the song for a man in love with an older woman, presenting an ages-old situation in a fresh-faced light.

While acoustic music may not be everyone's bag, this album is definitely worth getting, and makes a fantastic companion to "Room for Squares" rather than seeming superfluous due to overlapping tracks. The differences are marked enough that it's almost like listening to a different song entirely.

I feel like a spoilsport only giving 4 stars but I'm a tough grader and there are a few songs here that don't move me. But I heartily recommend this especially if you appreciate clean acoustic guitar and small combo arrangements.

I'm a recent discoverer of John Mayer, and the choice in front of me was this or Room for Squares. Listening to song samples of the common songs between the albums, I found the production of the RFS album to be muddy sounding, with overproduced instrumental tracks. As a guitar player, I love the clean, pure qualities of this album. Also, one of my favorite songs on this album is Comfortable, not on the other.

A number of reviews draw comparisons to Dave Matthews. Maybe there's a superficial similarity of vocal quality, but Mayer's melodies and guitar style don't sound at all like Matthews to me. The performer that Mayer really sounds like is probably less well known than he is, David Wilcox. Mayer's vocal quality, melodies, lyrical style, everything is extremely reminiscent of Wilcox's "How did you find me here" album and if you like Mayer, try that album. Wilcox's guitar parts are played with unconventional open tunings, and I wouldn't be surprised if Mayer is doing that too on some of these songs.

If you've already bought Room for Squares and like it, don't let it keep you from getting this one too. I'm betting you'll end up liking these versions better.

Before I bought this album I liked John Mayer. He was good. After I bought this album I freaking loved John Mayer. He was absolutely amazing.

I liked his Room For Squares album alot, and I decided to buy this because it was new music, and I'm extremely picky. But the acoustic-sounding, less-processed sounds of his songs that I already knew immediately turned Mayer into my favorite artist whom I contrast all music against. Here's what I think of Inside Wants OUt:

1) BACK TO YOU: I never really listened to this song on RFS, but this version, being the first track really made me understand the song. Impressive lyrics, as with all Mayer songs ("I'm so good at forgetting and I quit every game I play but forgive me, love, I can't turn and walk away.")

2) NO SUCH THING: this version is SO MUCH better than the RFS one that plays on the radio. Its not as pop sounding.

3) MY STUPID MOUTH: this song is good either version, but this version, like No Such thing, isn't as radio-friendly. Awesome lyrics, too.

4) NEON: Oh. My. Gosh. I liked neon on RFS because the guitar was different. But on this version, it is the same riff played on an acoustic guitar and is simply beyond words.

5) VICTORIA: New song! One of the best songs I've heard in a long long time. Beautiful guitar, words, melody and story.

6) LOVE SOON: probably the weakest song on the album, but I still find it catchy. It's a little cheesy ("I understand I wasn't part of the plan/ a dollar short/ a minute early/ but I am your man")but I still like it.

7) COMFORTABLE: This is the lovey-doveyest song ever created. Its good and it has a beautiful sound, but I find it boring. Especially when I'm lonely. Then I just have to turn it off and say "Enough love already!" Plus it kind of gets boring the 83rd time you listen to it.

8) QUIET: I freaking love this song. The guitar in it is so melodic and peaceful. Mayer does an excellent job of creating the mood of the story he's telling with music, and that really shines through on this song. Wise words too ("Daylight is climbing the walls/cars start and feet walk the halls/the world wakes and now I am saved/ at least by the light of day") It's about not being able to sleep because you're thinking too much.

If you don't love JOhn Mayer, you should. He proves himself on bith albums as one of the most promising musicians of all time.

And if you want another good Mayer song, download "Lifelines". It has some very very very good lyrics.

Basically, this album was originally released independently, way before Room for Squares, when John was primarily touring by himself (and sometimes his bassist) with just his acoustic guitar. Wanting to cash in on John's sudden success and emergence into mainstream in the year 2002, the 'big-league' record company has decided to rerelease this earlier album (as was the case with RCA rereleasing Dave Matthews Band's independent release Remember Two Things after they hit it big, for example). I would think that good musicians usually let their sound mature from album to album, but in this case, I think that this album is more mature and introspective than Room for Squares. While many of the songs are the same on both albums, this is an entirely acoustic album (no band backing him) which gives the songs a calmer, more intelligent sound (in my opinion). Don't get me wrong, it is not that I don't like the electric versions on Room for Squares, but I find those songs to be produced and recorded in a very "poppy" manner (for lack of a better word), which I feel don't mesh with John's lyrics or general style for that matter. Most hardcore John Mayer fans that I've met prefer this acoustic version of Neon to the electric one, and I would agree. Other songs like Comfortable are pure gems. Listening to this album makes you realize why John got really famous in the first place. It jams without being too improved, it is calm and upbeat at the same time, and it is good for any mood. This album perfectly blends acoustic pop with slight, funky jazz...and you'll just have to buy the album to know what I mean. John's musical influences, Dave Matthews, Stevie Ray Vaughn, and Miles Davis to name a few, are all evident here.
In conclusion, this album won't change rock and roll. John's acoustic pop isn't something that has never been done before. But it is the way John convey's his experiences with love, loss, boredom and happiness that seem to be so familiar. He seems to speak to the listener in a way where you can really identify with him. This album belongs in anyone's collection who enjoys catchy acoustic songs, with deep or introspective meanings.
And anyone who enjoys Room for Squares, buy this album NOW! I enjoy it a lot better and I bet you will too. I think the acoustic, non-band sound fits John a lot better.

I'm a fairly new fan of Mr. Mayer, drawn in by the suprise hit single "No Such Thing". Recently, after getting his "Room For Squares" album and loving it, I took the opportunity to also get this re-released EP album. An even cut between original versions of the "RFS" tracks and some totally exclusive stuff, this little album is a real gem. The single "No Such Thing" sounds much more raw vocally here than it does on the album. It's not worse or better, it's different. The song and lyrics are great either way though. The original of "My Stupid Mouth" is another jewel. The 'new' tracks are all high quality. While "Victoria", "Comfortable", and "Quiet" are all great, my personal favorite of this whole mini-album is the track "Love Soon". That track just totally clicks for me. An EP that's totally worth the cost, I can't wait for further works from John Mayer.

I discovered Inside Wants Out, like most everyone else, after thoroughly enjoying Room For Squares and I was very pleasantly surprised by the striking differences between these two albums. Inside wants out is a bare-bones, scaled back session and because of this, the emphasis shifts very much to the lyrical content and song writing of the album. This is not to say that room for sqares was overly polished and over produced, but some times when things are simplified, their true beauty shines through even more. I am a classical musician, and teacher and because of that, I have learned to be very critical. Inside wants out comes across to me as being incredibly sincere and really original. I would give it five stars, except for the fact that this album has really put me in anticipation over what John Mayer will write and record next, and I think that he has showed enormous potential. My personal favorites from this album: Victoria (you should really see this one in concert), Comfortable and Love Soon. Listen and Enjoy.

To those of us who love John Mayer's music, listening to Inside Wants Out is a true pleasure. This first CD by John Mayer (re-released) is basically an accousitc disc giving it a personal feeling. When listening to it you feel as if you are part of it - envisioning yourself in the novel or video or something extraordinary. The lyrics are honest and witty, dealing with issues/feelings that many of us choose to ignore, but all of us can relate to. One of the best experiences is hearing the evolution from this first CD to the newer fully orchestrated Room For Squares. A few same songs on these two CD's do not even compare and it is definitely worth owning them both! John Mayer is talented beyond his years and demonstrates that through the words and music he writes - as well as how he performs. The songs on this CD can be listened to time and time again - the mark of a true artist! This is a must have for all of his fans (and potential ones)and leaves us wanting more of this artist's music.

John Mayer originally put out this CD himself before he became famous. It is NOT a full CD-only has 8 tracks. Four of them are on Room For Squares. What makes this CD worth 5 stars is the fact that it is John Mayer on an acoustic guitar without any editing or altering. It is his wonderful, humbling voice in its natural form. If you think you like an artist, you have to hear their natural voice; you will either love it or be disappointed. I love it. Editing takes away from an artist's individuality. If the artist is talented (John is), this is bad. If the artist is bad, then editing will probably help them sell CDS. You can hear the difference between "My Stupid Mouth" on this CD and Room for Squares. Buy this CD if you are a JM fan.

The four songs ("Neon", "Back to You" "My Stupid Mouth" "No Such Thing") that are on Room for Squares don't sound different enough for anyone who loved them on Room for squares to dislike these earlier versions. Basically they're just stripped down acoustic versions. But the awesome difference is on Inside Wants Out you get to hear his voice a little more which of course is awesome. The four other songs are absolutely worthy of a major label release. Anyone who loves Room For Squares will absolutely love this but I think for those who don't know him, let Room For Squares be your introduction and Inside Wants Out be your second meeting.