Last night,I pulled out Mayer Hawthorne's 2009 debut album A Strange Arrangement and I was like "Wow,this still sounds great!" This is a superb debut album,capturing the soul and the vibe of late 60s/early 70s soul music."Just Ain't Gonna Work Out" sounds like a long-lost Delfonics track.His second album How Do You Do? continued down a similiar path,for the most part.Neither album turned Mayer into a "superstar",but he built up a loyal following who supported him and went to his shows.Sadly,his third album Where Does This Door Go?,was largely ignored when it was released last year.This album finds Mayer branching out and leaving the retro-soul sounds behind,in favor of retro-pop,New Wave and hip-hop sounds.It's a good album,but I think his debut album is his masterpiece.I wonder what direction he will move in next.I would hate to see him totally abandon what he started with the first two albums.

Thoughts?

Mayer's exploring and expanding his sound. I get what you're saying, I have similar feelings but I'm enjoying the ride.

"Just Ain't Gonna Work Out" was recorded as an experiment and then he was asked to build an album around that sound. I am guessing his latest album is actually closer to his sound.

Always a shame when an original fanbase is left behind.

I just feel that he created his own niche with the first two albums,but now that he's moving on,he might get lost in the pop world.Wouldn't want that to happen.

I think his record company didn't even know what to do with his last album.The promotion was non-existent! Great songs like "Allie Jones","The Innocent" and "Crime" with Kendrick Lamar were begging to be released as singles.Not sure what went wrong.My guess is that they don't know how to market him.

SoulAlive said:

I think his record company didn't even know what to do with his last album.The promotion was non-existent! Great songs like "Allie Jones","The Innocent" and "Crime" with Kendrick Lamar were begging to be released as singles.Not sure what went wrong.My guess is that they don't know how to market him.

I was hoping he would get more of a push being on a major label, but it seems like the advertisements were in the same websites and magazines that Stones Throw had him in. (That could just be me reading the same schitt for years though )

Cinny said:

SoulAlive said:

I think his record company didn't even know what to do with his last album.The promotion was non-existent! Great songs like "Allie Jones","The Innocent" and "Crime" with Kendrick Lamar were begging to be released as singles.Not sure what went wrong.My guess is that they don't know how to market him.

I was hoping he would get more of a push being on a major label, but it seems like the advertisements were in the same websites and magazines that Stones Throw had him in. (That could just be me reading the same schitt for years though )

I liked it better when he was on Stones Throw.On that label,he was a priority.They always hyped up his albums and singles,and seemed genuinely proud of him.I was always afraid that,if he went to a big label,he would get lost in the shuffle and that's exactly what happened.

I sooooo loved his first two albums, and yes, No3 was a bit of a turnaround...
but it was a grower! and a rather quick one for me... and now I would almost put it on the same level as the other two. different, but equally enjoyable.

should he return to the old sound? I don't care personally. I'd be interested to see his faksimile take on other sounds & styles from the past. but whatever he does will be fine with me I guess

Short answer: HELL NO.

Songs like "Her Favorite Song" show growth. His older work sounds like he's just appropriating a sound that has already been done. I have a strong distaste for "retro" artists who don't bring anything new to the table. Most of them just sound like they are ego-tripping, saying "this is how I would have done it if I were around back then." Anyone can come with an idea after the fact and then interpret it. When you do retro, in order for it to work, you have to do it like Cee-Lo and D'Angelo have done it. It has to sound new, otherwise - it just sounds like you are knocking off old material. He has to keep doing music that have elements of his own personality in them and bring something new to the table or else he's just going backwards. You can be retro without sounding old and dated.

SoulAlive said:

Cinny said:

I was hoping he would get more of a push being on a major label, but it seems like the advertisements were in the same websites and magazines that Stones Throw had him in. (That could just be me reading the same schitt for years though )

I liked it better when he was on Stones Throw.On that label,he was a priority.They always hyped up his albums and singles,and seemed genuinely proud of him.I was always afraid that,if he went to a big label,he would get lost in the shuffle and that's exactly what happened.

Stones Throw is my favorite label. They seem to really cultivate their artists. Their stable is fascinating -- Madlib, Ras G, The Stepkids, Jonti, Freddie Gibbs, etc. And of course, Madvillain . . .

BTW, the Stepkids have a free summer download on the site.

BlaqueKnight said:

Short answer: HELL NO.

Songs like "Her Favorite Song" show growth. His older work sounds like he's just appropriating a sound that has already been done. I have a strong distaste for "retro" artists who don't bring anything new to the table. Most of them just sound like they are ego-tripping, saying "this is how I would have done it if I were around back then." Anyone can come with an idea after the fact and then interpret it. When you do retro, in order for it to work, you have to do it like Cee-Lo and D'Angelo have done it. It has to sound new, otherwise - it just sounds like you are knocking off old material. He has to keep doing music that have elements of his own personality in them and bring something new to the table or else he's just going backwards. You can be retro without sounding old and dated.

I loved Mayer's first album. I thought he brought something new to the table with his writing. Sure, it has the sound of a curator at times but it was enjoyable.

But I also agree with you that his second and third albums have shown some growth. His background was in hip-hop, he only went the R&B route as a lark to get some visibility. So I think AST was a way for him to develop his musical side, and forms the floor for him to explore his own sound, like I said above. And he's doing it; I heard it in songs like "No Strings Attached" on the 2d album and "Her Favorite Song" on this one.

(There was some criticism in this forum that he cribbed some Steely Dan grooves on this 3d album on WDTDG . . . )

namepeace said:

SoulAlive said:

I liked it better when he was on Stones Throw.On that label,he was a priority.They always hyped up his albums and singles,and seemed genuinely proud of him.I was always afraid that,if he went to a big label,he would get lost in the shuffle and that's exactly what happened.

Stones Throw is my favorite label. They seem to really cultivate their artists. Their stable is fascinating -- Madlib, Ras G, The Stepkids, Jonti, Freddie Gibbs, etc. And of course, Madvillain . . .

BTW, the Stepkids have a free summer download on the site.

I love Stones Throw,too! Very good label.Are you familiar with Myron and E? They are on Stones Throw and they have that same kind of retro-soul sound that Mayer had.I highly recommend their album!

SoulAlive said:

namepeace said:

Stones Throw is my favorite label. They seem to really cultivate their artists. Their stable is fascinating -- Madlib, Ras G, The Stepkids, Jonti, Freddie Gibbs, etc. And of course, Madvillain . . .

BTW, the Stepkids have a free summer download on the site.

I love Stones Throw,too! Very good label.Are you familiar with Myron and E? They are on Stones Throw and they have that same kind of retro-soul sound that Mayer had.I highly recommend their album!

Thanks, I'll check'em out!

SoulAlive, you have that direct-to-disc Mayer Hawthorne live album on Stones Throw? It's 2 vinyls, 3 sides.

Cinny said:

SoulAlive, you have that direct-to-disc Mayer Hawthorne live album on Stones Throw? It's 2 vinyls, 3 sides.

YES,I have that album!! That album is EXCELLENT! The live version of "Just Ain't Gonna Work Out" is better than the regular (studio) version.Mayer absolutely shines in a live setting.

2/LP: MAYER HAWTHORNE LIVE DIRECT TO DISC