Born and Raised (John Mayer album)
Born and Raised is the fifth studio album by American singer-songwriter John Mayer, released on May 22, 2012, by Columbia Records. It marked yet another change in Mayer's musical style, incorporating elements of folk and Americana, as well as influences from Bob Dylan, Neil Young, David Crosby, Stephen Stills, and Graham Nash. Its cover, as well as that of the single "Queen of California", was designed by David Adrian Smith.
Born and Raised
May 22, 2012
- April–September 2011
- February 2012
- Electric Lady Studios, New York City
- The Village, Los Angeles, California
- Berkeley Street, Santa Monica, California
- Ocean Way Recording, Hollywood, California
46:25
- John Mayer
- Don Was
Born and Raised received generally positive reviews from critics, who praised Mayer's technical skills as well as Don Was' production work.[6] The first single "Shadow Days" was released on Mayer's blog on February 27, 2012, and was made available for purchase as a digital download on March 6, 2012.[13] The second single "Queen of California" impacted Hot AC radio on August 13, 2012, and the third single "Something Like Olivia" impacted Triple A radio on November 5, 2012.
Promotion[edit]
Promotion for Born and Raised was hampered by the return of his throat granuloma, and thus he was limited to only interviews. Mainstream promotion included interviews on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon and The Ellen DeGeneres Show, in which he described Born and Raised as his most "honest" and "cohesive" album.[19][25] He also appeared as a musical guest on the Late Show with David Letterman, playing guitar with the house band.[26] On May 10, 2012, the Clive Davis Theater hosted An Evening with John Mayer in which Mayer discussed Born and Raised and his career.[27]
Touring[edit]
In September 2011, Mayer was forced to cancel a small run of live dates upon the discovery of a throat granuloma. In spring 2012, he was scheduled to tour North America, but was forced to cancel the tour after being informed by doctors that his throat granuloma had returned. He has said that he is to undergo surgery again, but that he has "no choice but to take an indefinite break from live performing."[28][29]
On January 16, 2013, Mayer performed on stage for the first time since April 1, 2011. He was joined by David Ryan Harris, Sean Hurley, Aaron Sterling, Ben Bullington, and Lil Jane & The Pistol Whips at the Emerson Theater in Bozeman, Montana. The concert was part of a benefit organized to help firefighters who battled the previous summer's Pine Creek Fire.[30][31]
The Born and Raised World Tour began on July 6, 2013, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.[32] In November 2013, Mayer enjoyed the number one Boxscore on the Billboard chart, grossing a $2.3 million box-office from his first concert appearance in Brazil on September 19. The sold-out performance at São Paulo's Arena Anhembi had more than 30,000 in attendance.[33]
Reception[edit]
Commercial performance[edit]
Born and Raised was John Mayer's third number one album on the Billboard 200 in the United States, selling 219,000 units in its first week.[34] The following week, it was again placed at the top spot, being Mayer's first album to spend more than a week in the top spot on the chart.[35] In Canada, the album debuted at number one, selling 17,800 copies, making it Mayer's first number one album in Canada.[36] The album also entered the UK album charts at number four.[37][38] On September 12, 2012, Born and Raised was certified Gold by the RIAA, selling 500,000 copies.[39] As of December 6, 2012, the album had sold 514,000 copies.[40]
Critical reception[edit]
The album garnered generally positive reviews. The album was listed at #17 on Rolling Stone's list of the top 50 albums of 2012, saying "It's a shot at redemption that's as on target as anything he's done."[41] People magazine stated, "This is a shimmering album, perfect for taking on the road in the glow of spring and summer."[42] Billboard called the album "his most consistently satisfying release yet."[43] Entertainment Weekly gave the album a "B," saying that the Laurel Canyon-inspired, "ramble-tamble style suits him."[44]