Last Train Home
This slick, catchy opener sets the album’s 80s MTV’ tone beautifully - with a synth sound reminiscent of Toto’s 1982 hit Africa. Mayer peppers the main, E-major riff(A/E/A/E/B/E/A) with both funky/ bluesy minor and major pentatonic licks, his processed tone – light chorus, tubey gain, gentle slapback – evoking that of Clapton in the late-80s.
Shouldn’t Matter But It Does
With one F-bomb spiking its reflective mood, this bittersweet ballad sees the troubadour squarely in his wheelhouse. The mild synth strings and sparse pianos are given movement by the bass, drums and acoustic guitar, which strums the verse’s main I/iii/ vi/IV progression (E/G#m/C#m/A), while laconic electric arpeggios enter on the song’s slow fade.
New Light
This story is from the September 2021 edition of Total Guitar.
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This story is from the September 2021 edition of Total Guitar.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
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