Ten Top Tips If You're Considering Studying Journalism At University

I would have loved a list like this for when I started university. Journalism isn't a core subject so is often overlooked and it can be quite hard to find basic information that would help you make the choice on whether it'd be a subject you'd want to study at degree level.

That's where I come in - to make a life little easier for you aspiring/possibly considering maybe going into it but you're not sure yet journos.

For those that don't know, I'm a first year Journalism student at the University of Winchester.

1. STUDY A-LEVELS

I chose to do a BTEC in Journalism at college and it was absolutely brilliant - don't get me wrong. I had helpful and considerate tutors and had a great time whilst I was there... but now I'm at uni, I think it may have helped more to do A-levels. Although you'd think it be better to study Journalism at college before you do it at degree level, it's not necessarily the case. In the first year, you study different areas of Journalism to the areas you study in college and it feels a bit like going back to square one. By a bit, I mean it feels like going back to square one.

A-levels that would be good to choose to help you would be: (in order of importance)

• English Language
• Law
• English Literature
• Philosophy
• Film Studies
• Photography

If you have the option to do Journalism as an A or AS Level or as an enrichment programme, I would recommend you choose it.

2. HAVE AN IDEA OF WHAT KIND OF JOURNALISM YOU WANT TO GO INTO

Although this isn't a necessity, it is certainly helpful. There are several different areas in Journalism; investigative, radio, television, travel, culture, news, political... the list goes in.

Different universities specialise in different kinds of Journalism. You can pick the uni you think would be most appropriate to you if you know what you want to get into. That way you'll be concentrating on what you're interested in mainly, rather than focusing on television for instance, if you want to work for a newspaper.

3. IMMERSE YOURSELF IN THE NEWS

I know this seems obvious but I know all prospective journo's don't necessarily read/watch/listen to the news as often as they should. Don't pretend you do.

I found it difficult to get into the habit of paying attention to the news regularly as it didn't fit in with my busy schedule, or so I thought, but there are ways of getting around it.

I would recommend downloading The Times, The Guardian and The Independent app if you have an iPhone or iPad. However, heed my warning, some lecturers do not regard the above newspapers as any good. I feel differently, as I feel they appeal to students so they're reaching a market that isn't often appealed to newspapers.

I'd like to point out at this moment in time, The Daily Telegraph won National Newspaper of the Year in 2010. The Guardian then took the title from the Telegraph in 2011.

Anyway, enough of that.

What I have been told to do by a Journalism lecturer is;

• Listen to the Today Programme on the radio from 7.45. At 8.10, the most important person in the country on that day will be interviewed. I know most of you won't still have or regularly use a radio unless it's in your car, you can still listen on line or even buy a cheap radio. It's perfect to listen to whilst you're getting ready for your day as it'll keep you up-to-date with minimal effort. Just turning it on.
• Whenever you can, listen to Radio 4 and Radio 5. They may not be your first choice but they do broadcast useful material that can teach you techniques for your own career.
• Read The Daily Telegraph. Although the majority of the readership is 40+ and it can be hard to understand, it is considered at the best newspaper around.
• Read at least one tabloid and one broadsheet a day. This will increase your knowledge of the different kinds of journalism whilst still keeping your news awareness high.

4. RESEARCH DIFFERENT UNIVERSITIES

This is something I definitely didn't do enough. I relied on other people to tell me about good universities and courses - but no one knew. I even ended up applying to two universities by accident! I applied to Sheffield Hallam and Leeds Metropolitan thinking they were just Sheffield and just Leeds. 

Luckily, my dad is from Winchester so I was forced to an open day here. Despite hating the opening university lecture, I fell in love with the course as soon as when to the subject lecture. I wouldn't choose my route though, I was lucky.

I know it's hard to find out the best universities for Journalism so I made a list for you (in no particular order).

1. University of Winchester
2. University of Sheffield
3. Bournemouth University
4. City University London
5. University of Kent

You can't really go wrong with studying at any of the above Universities, but as I said earlier, it's all about finding the course that suits you.

5. MAKE A BLOG

Every University is going to want you to create a blog, no matter what kind of Journalism you want to go into. It's best to get it started as soon as you can.

I started my blog around nine months before my course started and it helped me understand readership, traffic sources, promotion and basically, just helped me get to grips with maintaining it.

The recommended sites to create a blog on are Blogger - the best choice - and Word Press.

Below is a tutorial video on creating a blog.

Remember, the more you post, the more you'll understand over time. Practise your writing, your skills and eventually it'll all come to you.

6. RESEARCH YOUR TUTORS

The university you are considering may having shiny Mac's and brand new equipment but that's no good if your tutors aren't any good. 

Read up on them - do your research! You're starting to become a journalist already.

Key things to look for when researching your tutors are:

• Are they still in practise? You don't want to be taught about how the industry works 20 years ago, you want to know how it works now.
• Will they have contacts in the industry? It's all well and good if they've written for a tiny, local newspaper or magazine but if you want to make it big, you want lecturers who know the ropes.
• Where have they worked before? You need quality publications - BBC, ITV, Independent, Telegraph, Channel 4, Radio 1 - don't settle for anything less.
• What are the specialities? If you want to go into Television Broadcasting, make sure one of your tutors is in it!

7. GET SOME WORK EXPERIENCE

I'm not talking at the BBC or anything, just your local newspaper, magazine or radio station.

It'll give you a heads up on how the industry works. Everyone has to work their way up from the bottom unless they're incredibly, super duper rich or amazingly good looking. If you hate it, maybe Journalism isn't the route for you.

8. KNOW WHO THE MOST IMPORTANT PEOPLE IN ENGLAND ARE

It may seem basic, but you have to know who the most important people in all areas, not just the areas that interest you.

Here's a general overview;

PRIME MINISTER - David Cameron

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER - Nick Clegg

THE QUEEN - Elizabeth II

SECRETARY OF STATE - William Hague

LEADER OF THE LIBERAL DEMOCRATS - Nick Clegg

LEADER OF THE LABOUR PARTY - Ed Miliband

LEADER OF THE CONSERVATIVE PARTY - David Cameron

ENGLAND'S FOOTBALL MANAGER - Roy Hodgson

Don't worry if you don't know them all now, it'll all come in time when you start keeping up to date with the news.

9. LEARN THAT YOUR OPINION WON'T COUNT FOR A LONG TIME

This is definitely something I have not yet got to grips with.

One of my tutors said to me today, "The best article I'll read by you will be one I can't tell you wrote."

I completely couldn't understand it at first. Surely that's the whole point?

But it's not. You have to start at the bottom. People don't always want your opinion. Normally they never want your opinion.

News is about facts, not until you are well established within the industry will people care about your opinion.

It doesn't mean your not entitled to have an opinion, just don't put it into your work.

10. DEVELOP TOUGH SKIN

The Journalism industry can suck at times. You are constantly against people that are better than you that are applying for the same position you are. You will constantly receive criticism and will constantly make mistakes and do things wrong. You might misprint someones name and then get your publication sued. The person you want to interview might be a complete arsehole.

BUT, it'll all be okay. As long as you stay strong, all the bad things will make you stronger and hopefully, you can learn from them and be the best damn journalism the whole world has seen.

So there you have it - the basic tips if you want to study Journalism at uni. Think long and hard about what you want to do, it's a lot of money and a lot of work - but the outcome could set you up for the rest of your life.

Jean-Jacques Rousseau - What A Mind

"People are born free but are everywhere in chains."

The quote above is from Genevan philosopher, Jean-Jacques Rousseau. He is really influential in two aspects, one in The Social Contract and secondly, he was considered the founder of romanticism. Essentially Rousseau was anti-establishment and thought society would cause nothing but a negative effect upon a human's life. He believed that the regulated systems with laws, governments and elitist groups were wrong and the 'Newtonian world'  wasn't a true of full expression of what it meant to be to be a human being. It's often said Rousseau was quintessentially anti-enlightenment - he was a noble savage.

After researching Rousseau, it becomes clear he saw the society as the enemy, the main thing that corrupted a man's true nature. He felt as if he was removed from society was he was still pure and true to his human instinct and hadn't yet been indoctrinated into society's way of living and didn't really care how society viewed him. He acted on the way he thought was best and stood true to his instincts and believed others should do this also in order to be a 'truer' human being. This was a different way of looking at things and met controversy against philosopher, John Locke, who had the idea that a labouring man in the heart of society would have a nicer life than the king of a primitive tribe - whereas Rousseau thought the opposite. Rousseau felt that the further away a man was from the society, the better that man would be.

This really sparks the debate of the practical, tangible, Newtonian was of life vs the spiritual, instinctive way of living. Essentially, it became the realists against the spiritualist.

Although these ideas originated in the 1700s, they are far from forgotten. The 1960s saw a rebirth in Rousseau's ideas and people began to live by their own rules and started to live on the outside of society. The song below is John Lennon's song 'Imagine' released in the early 1970s and is a new age adaption of Rousseau's theory.

Despite appearing to be the father of so many movements; the hippie movement, the green movement, communism and so on, Rousseau's ideas and thought weren't necessarily clearly formed. He wasn't trying to make a society or a movement - he was just picking up ideas and throwing them out there. Maybe 'throwing' isn't the right word, but they were just his thoughts about the nature of man kind and the adverse effect and influence of society upon man kinds behaviour. People postulate what he said, when in my opinion, they were just ideas - not laws of life.

Rousseau believed in the supremacy of the strength of the majority and direct democracy, however, due to his early life in Greece, he knew that his ideas would only work in small societies. The larger a society became, the worst it became and soon enough it would be corrupt and run by elitists. After all, Rousseau refuses to believe society was created by people. There wasn't a point where everyone agreed a government would be a good idea - it is just the way that man kind evolved. Rousseau believe that there is a state of nature when people in their primitive form were given free will, free spirit and open expression of their passions and feelings. He felt as if people shouldn't be bound by a governing body but should live as far away from society as possible, only getting together for necessary reasons such as building a house or putting out a large fire, but after the task is complete, he felt the group should completely and immediately dissolve. Rousseau was completely anti-association.

Part of the idea Rousseau was going for was thoughts and cognitive thinking being entire separate from instinct. Men are like other animals. It's only when you put another man's influence amongst others and create a political society then things go wrong. It starts making the human kind possessive, greedy and corrupt.

Many say Rousseau was a great influence of The French Revolution. Although I do agree with this, in my opinion, The French Revolution would have still happened due to the situation the country was in, similar to the rising of the Nazis which I believe would have still occurred without Hitler because of the state of the country after the World War I. France was a totalitarian state and it was run by individuals who believed they were righteous and God had directly blessed them with their power. This basically stripped all power from the common, working man is France and made them completely powerless as those in power believed when they were creating new laws, it was 'the voice of God' and the decision of God. The country was bound to have a revolt, it is just the way of society. Something had to give.

If it wasn't for Jean-Jacques Rousseau, the world would be a very different place. The idea of alienation by society has been picked up throughout the centuries and throughout the different eras. Rousseau was about free will, basic instinct and being as far away from society as possible. His idealism weaves it's way through literature, political thinkings and music. His influence is seen everywhere to this day. Who is to say whether it's right or wrong?

The Meaning of Life

Probably the biggest question there is - what is the meaning of life?

In my opinion, there is no one meaning.

Life is what you make it, the meaning of every person's life is different. You should never try and live your life the way anyone else wants you to live it or tells you to live it. You have to discover the meaning of your own life.

I don't know what the meaning of my life is - and I'm quite happy not knowing for now. I am too busy trying to find out who I am rather than trying to find out why I am who I am.

As this blog clearly establishes, I am a huge John Mayer fan. The video below is of him live in LA covering a Jimi Hendrix song called 'Bold As Love'. During the song, he sums up what he thinks life should be about. As corny as it is, I think he's pretty on key.

The Essential Dos and Don'ts in Media Law

Do you want to become a journalist? A celebrity feature writer? A news reader? A travel journalist? An investigative journalist like the great Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein? Or even a modern day William Rees-Mogg?

If your answer is yes, then you'll need to know the essential dos and don'ts of media law.

So let's get started.

THE DON'TS

• DO NOT write/say/publish anything that you know to be untrue or if it is purposely to harm another without any justification or without just cause.
• DO NOT dishonestly present sources or information. Avoid interviews or information directly from family members or friends.
• DO NOT pay people to pretend to be a source. That's not cool.
• DO NOT make up sources, interviews or any other content you wish to publish unless clearly stated it is fictional.
• DO NOT purposely cause disrepute or disruption. It is not wise or even funny to edit your work after it has been cleared by your editor or superior, all you will get is a bollocking.
• DO NOT publish discriminatory or racially offensive material. Not only is it not socially unacceptable, it is against the law.
• DO NOT publish your work without checking the simple attributes such as grammar, spelling and sentence structure.
• DO NOT even consider publishing your work if you are not sure if it complies with the law.
• DO NOT be stupid. Don't breach any privacy, confidentiality, trespassing, copyrighting or child protection (and so on and so forth) laws. That'll just get you in trouble.

That's about it with the don'ts. Now to the more positive side - the dos.

THE DOS

• DO try and detach yourself from the subject you are writing about. Disinterestedness is key.
• DO get out into the industry and find yourself some useful sources. A lot of journalism is to do with who you know, not what you know.
• DO be professional and responsible at all times when presenting yourself or your publication. If you want to be taken seriously in the media industry, you must make yourself appear to be someone who can be taken seriously.
• DO check your facts over and over again. Facts are brilliant in publications if they are 100% accurate.
• DO maintain an up-to-date working knowledge of media law and media regulation. Unfortunately, not knowing if changes have been made isn't an excuse for breaking the law.

Although media regulation can put you 'in a box' and limit you as a journalist, it is there for a good reason - to try and regulate the media. 

What would happen without media law? Would the newspapers be full of lies? Would the radio be more interesting? Would publications start growing legs and walking around the streets throwing news at us?

Probably not.

However, we'll never know.

_________________________________________________________________________________

KEY WORDS AND DEFINITIONS IN MEDIA LAW

DISREPUTE 

A low standard of esteem or credit.

i.e. Unfortunately, Rupert Murdoch brings disrepute into the journalism industry.

MALICE

The intentional allowing, publication or creation of a wrongful or harmful act with no justification.

i.e. The newspaper was full of malice, it wasn't even worth reading.

DISINTERESTED

Being unbiased, unattached and not influenced by exterior motives.

i.e. He was perfect to write to article as he was disinterested in the subject.

DEFAMATION

A false accusation of an offence or act by another which could result in damaging their reputation.

i.e. Her soul intention of that article was defamation of Lady Gaga.

SLANDER

Defamation by saying the accusation.

i.e. Stop with all the slander, I'll sue you.

LIBEL

Defamation by writing the accusation.

i.e. With all this evidence, you have a definite libel case on your hands.

RECKLESSNESS

Disregard and paying little attention to produced work.

i.e. He wrote the article with complete recklessness, the spelling mistakes were atrocious.

MEDIA REGULATION

The use of legal means to regulate and control the media industry.

i.e. Your knowledge of media regulation must be kept up to date in order to pass this course.

Five Films You MUST Watch

Call me Bronte - the ultimate film geek.

I watch far too many films - anything from psychological thrillers to comedies to kids films to horrors. The only genre of films I don't really watch is rom-coms because, if we're honest, they're all the same.

I thought it was about time to devise a film of the top five films that you HAVE to watch. These have been carefully selected and are all just absolutely brilliant. They're not in order because I just can't decide which is the best.

I've also included the IMDB (Internet Movie Database) rating - although I don't necessarily agree with all of them, it's usually a pretty good stance on how good the film is.

Without any further ado - here they are;

AMERICAN GANGSTER

Frank Lucas: "This is my home. My country. Frank Lucas don't run from nobody. This is America."

Bronte's Rating: 9/10

IMDB Rating: 7.8/10

Genre: Biography, Crime, Drama

Release Year: 2007

Director: Ridley Scott

Starring: Denzel Washington, Russell Crowe

Plot: This film is based on the true story of drug lord Frank Lucas. Set in 1970s America, the film follows Richie Roberts (Crowe), an honest and dedicated police officer, trying to bring down the dope empire Lucas controls. 

Review: The film is an emotional and thrilling journey. The attention to detail through each part of the heroin smuggling to selling was incredible whilst still not making the film 'uncomfortable' to watch. I also love the soundtrack, the choice of music fits the film, the era, the country... absolutely perfectly. One of the best soundtracks of all time without any shadow of a doubt.

THE DEPARTED

Colin Sullivan: "What Freud said about the Irish is: We're the only people who are impervious to psychoanalysis."

Bronte's Rating: 9.2/10

IMDB Rating: 8.5/10

Genre: Crime, Drama, Mystery

Release Year: 2006

Director: Martin Scorsese

Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, Jack Nicholson

Plot: A confusing one! The two main characters are both undercover. One is an undercover cop within the Irish Mafia and one is a member of the Irish Mafia undercover as a cop. As you can guess, it gets quite messy as the truth gets closer and closer to being uncovered.

Review: The actors for each character in this film were chosen perfectly. Although it can be hard to follow with the amount of characters and the immense detail of the plot, this film is full of surprises and twists - it leaves you guessing right until the end. PLUS, it's such a quotable film - who doesn't love that?

THE GODFATHER PART II (only if you've watched the original The Godfather first - or you won't understand it and it won't be as good)

Vito Corleone: "I'll make him an offer he can't refuse, don't you worry."

Bronte's Rating: 9.3/10

IMDB Rating: 9.1/10

Genre: Crime, Drama, Period

Release Year: 1974

Director: Francis Ford Coppola

Starring: Al Pacino, Robert De Niro, Robert Duvall

Plot: The film has a double story line. It recalls the early life of the previous Don, Vito Corleone, in the 1920s as well as portraying the life of Don Michael Corleone, as he expands the Corleone empire to Hollywood, Cuba and Las Vegas.

Review: Everyone knows The Godfather films are legendary but in my opinion, the second is the best. It's as if someone created a formula to create my perfect film and it came out with this. Gangsters, sophistication, twisted plots, drugs, shooting, love, family, Italian men? WOW. If I was a 14 year old girl, I'd be #TEAMCORLEONE.

BIG DADDY

Sonny Koufax: "I know this is the right thing because I would die for this kid just so he won't feel one ounce of sadness."

Bronte's Rating: 8.9/10

IMDB Rating: 6.2/10 (WHAT A JOKE)

Genre: Comedy, Drama, Family Film

Release Year: 1999

Director: Dennis Duggan

Starring: Adam Sandler, Joey Lauren Adam

Plot: Sonny (Sandler) adopts a child in order to show his girlfriend that he isn't the lazy loser that everyone seems to think he is. After that fails to impress, he tries to give the child back but after various events, Sonny ends up fighting for the child he once didn't care for.

Review: Every one that watched this film must have had goosebumps at one point. I'm not normally a huge fan of these kind of films but it was so heart-warming, funny and serious all in one. It's so worth watching, words can't explain. And who doesn't love Adam Sandler?

SE7EN

William Somerset: "People don't want a hero. They want to eat cheeseburgers, play the lotto and watch television."

Bronte's Rating: 9.3/10

IMDB Rating: 8.7/10

Genre: Crime, Thriller, Mystery

Release Year: 1995

Director: David Fincher

Starring: Brad Pitt, Morgan Freeman, Kevin Spacey

Plot: The film follows a wise and calm detective and his new associate, a total rookie, as they try and chase an intelligent and psychopathic murderer as he uses the seven deadly sins as his modus operandi. 

Review: I remember the first time I watched this film, I thought it was THE BEST FILM EVER. I think Brad Pitt and Morgan Freeman are both incredible actors that have both, in this film, been given the perfect roles to suit their acting styles. You will not be able to guess the outcome of this film if you sat and thought about it for weeks - it really is amazing.

So, there you have it. The five best films ever. Buy them from HMV, bid on them on eBay, illegally download them off some dodgy site, watch them on Netflix - I don't care. But whatever you do, make sure you watch them!

The XX

I'm not a big fan of music like this, due to the fact, quite frankly, it requires no talent whatsoever.

However, considering most people in Winchester wouldn't recognise musical talent if it slapped them in the face, I have been forced to constantly listen to music such as The XX.

I could never imagine going to see The XX live, as I think most people at the gig would be sitting down and crying. They are definitely one of the most depressing and apathetic bands I have ever listened to.

But today, I am in an awful mood so this awful music is suiting.

(That's my way of trying to compliment the band.)

This is Angels, one the The XX's most highly acclaimed songs.

iPhone 5 vs iPhone 4s vs iPhone 4

I love my iPhone 4s. Absolutely adore it. It is, by far, the best phone I have ever had.

I bought it over the iPhone 4 because it has Siri - which I was amazed by.

Yet now, the iPhone 5 is out. What is the difference between all three phones? 

Are you thinking of spending the £529 it costs to buy a new iPhone 5?

Don't get me wrong, if I had a load of money I'd get it without a second thought... but I don't. Lets face it, with today's economy not many people will be able to spend £529 without thinking about it.

So, I've discovered the EXACT difference between the three phones.

		Black & Slate White & Silver	Black White	Black White
1		Height: 123.8 mm (4.87 inches) Width: 58.6 mm (2.31 inches) Depth: 7.6 mm (0.30 inches) Weight: 112 grams (3.95 ounces)	Height: 115.2 mm (4.5 inches) Width: 58.6 mm (2.31 inches) Depth: 9.3 mm (0.37 inches) Weight: 140 grams (4.9 ounces)	Height: 115.2 mm (4.5 inches) Width: 58.6 mm (2.31 inches) Depth: 9.3 mm (0.37 inches) Weight: 137 grams (4.8 ounces)
		4-inch (diagonal) Retina display 1136x640 resolution 326 ppi	3.5-inch (diagonal) Retina display 960x640 resolution 326 ppi	3.5-inch (diagonal) Retina display 960x640 resolution 326 ppi
		GSM model: GSM/EDGE UMTS/HSPA+ DC-HSDPA CDMA model: CDMA EV-DO Rev. A and Rev. B LTE3 Wi-Fi (802.11a/b/g/n; 802.11n on 2.4GHz and 5GHz) Bluetooth 4.0 GPS and GLONASS	GSM/EDGE UMTS/HSPA - CDMA EV-DO Rev. A2   - Wi-Fi (802.11b/g/n; 802.11n on 2.4GHz) Bluetooth 4.0 GPS and GLONASS	GSM model: GSM/EDGE UMTS/HSPA - CDMA model: CDMA EV-DO Rev. A   - Wi-Fi (802.11b/g/n; 802.11n on 2.4GHz) Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR GPS
		Nano-SIM iPhone 5 is not compatible with existing micro-SIM cards.	Micro-SIM	Micro-SIM
4		Siri Use your voice to send messages, set reminders and more.	Siri Use your voice to send messages, set reminders and more.	-
		8 megapixel Autofocus Tap to focus LED flash Backside illumination sensor Five-element lens Face detection Hybrid IR filter ƒ/2.4 aperture Panorama	8 megapixel Autofocus Tap to focus LED flash Backside illumination sensor Five-element lens Face detection Hybrid IR filter ƒ/2.4 aperture Panorama	5 megapixel Autofocus Tap to focus LED flash Backside illumination sensor Four-element lens - - ƒ/2.8 aperture -
		1.2MP photos 720p HD video Backside illumination sensor	VGA-resolution photos VGA-resolution video	VGA-resolution photos VGA-resolution video
5		FaceTime iPhone 5 to any FaceTime-enabled device over Wi-Fi or 3G	FaceTime iPhone 4S to any FaceTime-enabled device over Wi-Fi or 3G	FaceTime iPhone 4 to any FaceTime-enabled device over Wi-Fi
		1080p HD video recording 30 fps Tap to focus while recording LED light Improved video stabilisation Take still photos while recording video Face detection	1080p HD video recording 30 fps Tap to focus while recording LED light Video stabilisation - -	720p HD video recording 30 fps Tap to focus while recording LED light - - -
		Apple EarPods with Remote and Mic Storage and travel case	Apple Earphones with Remote and Mic	Apple Earphones with Remote and Mic
		Lightning	30-pin	30-pin
6		Talk time: Up to 8 hours on 3G Browsing time: Up to 8 hours on 3G Up to 10 hours on Wi-Fi Standby time: Up to 225 hours	Talk time: Up to 8 hours on 3G Browsing time: Up to 6 hours on 3G Up to 9 hours on Wi-Fi Standby time: Up to 200 hours	Talk time: Up to 7 hours on 3G Browsing time: Up to 6 hours on 3G Up to 10 hours on Wi-Fi Standby time: Up to 300 hours
		- 16GB 32GB 64GB	- 16GB - -	8GB - - -

So, there's not much difference... I won't be buying the iPhone 5 in a hurry. If I walk into a lot of money, then definitely but for now, the iPhone 4s will suffice.

So You Want To Soothe Your Soul?

Here is the way...

John Mayer

-

the man who soothes soul with his beautiful voice and brilliant guitar skills

Let me introduce you to a man that will take away your troubles in four minutes of music.

(if you wanna skip the facts and just hear some really awesome music, scroll to the bottom of the post)

A BIT ABOUT THE MAN:

FULL NAME: John Clayton Mayer

DATE OF BIRTH: October 17, 1977

HOMETOWN: Bridgeport, Connecticut, United Status

MARITAL STATUS: Full time womaniser

JOB: Making beautiful sounds

YEARS ACTIVE: 1998 - present

LABELS: Arista, Aware & Columbia

Mayer has been around for a very long time and has had various different "sounds", varying from each album, of which he has made five (excluding one live album). The majority of his music is blues rock and it is clear he is heavily influenced by such legends as Jimi Hendrix (bless his soul), Stevie Ray Vaughan and Robert Cray.

It is incredibly rare to find a musician as good live as they are recorded. John Mayer is that person all over. In fact, I prefer his live music to his recorded music. BUT, more about that later.

He is also a well renowned player - dating (and breaking hearts) of Jennifer Anniston, Taylor Swift and most recently, Katy Perry. Now, lets be honest, although Mayer isn't ugly, he's hardly drop dead gorgeous... how do you think he managed to pull these ladies? Soul soothing.

Mayer and Swift

Mayer and Anniston

       

Mayer and Perry

Now, 'player' tendencies aside, Mayer is a talented musician that brings to the music industry what it's lacking - a musical innovator, someone with potential, ideas, thoughts and talent, someone that wants to be a new Hendrix and is heavily influenced by blues rock.

ALBUMS (in chronological order)

ROOM FOR SQUARES

Originally Released: June 5, 2001

Released: September 18, 2001

Label: Aware/Columbia

Bronte's Rating: 8/10

This was Mayer's debut album and was originally released by the independent label Aware and then was later re-released by Columbia Records. It peaked reaching number 9 in the Billboard 200 chart. As a whole, the album received generally postitive feedback and even got Mayer nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance for his song 'Your Body Is A Wonderland' which he later went on to win. 

Here is that song;

HEAVIER THINGS

Released: September 9, 2003

Label: Aware/Columbia

Bronte's Rating: 7/10

Heavier Things is the second recorded album by Mayer. The album debuted at number one in the Billboard 200 chart, selling a whopping 317,000 copies in first week alone. Despite reaching number one, there was some criticism of Mayer's songwriting. But who cares, they were probably just jealous or something... hahaha.

This is my favourite song from the album.. wowza.

CONTINUUM

Released: September 12, 2006

Label: Columbia/Aware

Bronte's Rating: 9.5/10

WHAT AN ALBUM. SERIOUSLY. This is most probably my favourite album of all time with some great tracks such as Slow Dancing In A Burning Room and a cover of Hendrix's Bold As Love. Amazingly, this album only made it to number two in the Billboard 200 chart when it definitely should have been number one. The album earned Mayer another grammy and also saw him have Rolling Stone magazine name the album eleventh best album in 2006. 

It was incredibly hard to pick to best song from this album as they are all SO GOOD. After hours of thought, I decided on this song;

BATTLE STUDIES

Released: November 17, 2009

Label: Columbia

Bronte's Rating: 6.5/10

Mayer's talent is obvious throughout every album but by 2009 - how should I phrase it? - he started to let the team down. In a live performance during 2009, Mayer said, "The album is called Battle Studies and that's because it incorporates a lot of the lessons, a lot of the observations, and a little bit of advice. Like a handbook, like a heartbreak handbook." And that does sum up the album pretty well - a bit too cheesy and lacking depth. It still produced some good songs as Mayer is a talented musician; here's on of the best:

BORN AND RAISED

Released: May 22, 2012

Label: Columbia

Bronte's Rating: 8/10

Now reviewing this album is a tricky one. Being Mayer's fifth studio album, it's obvious he wanted to explore something new in music - so this is kind of a Country Western Rock album, differing from my love of the blues rock Mayer plays so well. However, he chose this to be his new sound and it's quite good. It's not as electric as his third album but it's a good listen and it great to have as background music if you're working or falling asleep or have friends over. It's a shame Mayer didn't explore more of the blues rock sound because I think he could have really gone somewhere but y'know...

Here's a current favourite song of mine that is from Born and Raised:

NOW FOR THE BEST ALBUM OF THEM ALL (okay, so this isn't chronological, but it's a live album so it doesn't really count. Damn, I ruined the surprise)

WHERE THE LIGHT IS: LIVE IN LA

WHAT AN ALBUM.

Released: July 1, 2008

Label: Columbia

Bronte's Rating: 10/10

This is the album that extenuates Mayer at the VERY BEST of his career. It was all recorded during his gigs at the Nokia Theatre in LA and is just incredible. Recording took part of three nights, the first night Mayer played an acoustic night by himself, the second night with the John Mayer Trio featuring the highly acclaimed session musician Pino Palladino and Steve Jordan and the third night with Mayer's touring band.

I can't even say anything more about it except that this album is perfection... this album is what will soothe your soul.

LISTEN.

I strongly recommend you buy the Live In LA album. Put it before food. This album is better than food.