Chris Willman Music WriterJohn Mayer’s new album seems like the material of which Grammy nominations are made — but the question is, should it be up in a pop or comedy category?
Not that “Sob Rock” is outrightly comic at its earnest songwriting core, but everything else about it provides at least a gentle nudge to the ribs, starting with the very overt slap to the knee that is the cover art and the funniest marketing campaign in recent music history.
That campaign is really inextricable from the new record itself, a dare that invites you to enter the album already having laughed till you’ve cried, then stick around for a less ironic dab at the eyes.So, is it possible to wink and cry at the same time?
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