10 Best Soft Rock Albums Of The 2000s
8. Room For Squares - John Mayer (2001)
John Mayer's debut LP served as a neat showcase of the bluesy singer-songwriter's flare for acoustic, soft rock vibes.
Boasting hit singles such as No Such Thing and Your Body Is a Wonderland, Mayer impressed listeners with his catchy riffs, soulful vocals, and sensitive lyricism. Memorable and relatable, Mayer sifts through a litany of thoughtfully human topics, including navigating early adulthood and self-discovery, to subtle, thoughtful effect. Blending a litany of genres from pop to soul, Mayer quickly established a new, eclectic direction for the soft rock scene as the noughties rolled on.
Producer and Drive Music co-founder John Alagía delivers the goods on the production value front. The polished sound and slick attention to detail elevates each track, neatly showcasing Mayer's vocal and guitar-playing talents.
With his impressive knack for infectious melodies and the seamless blending of genres, Room for Squares stands tall as an influential, beloved record in Mayer's decorated discography. Closing track St. Patrick's Day rounds the LP out on a suitably emotional note, reflecting on loneliness and romance in the cold of winter, leaving listeners on an introspective note. Overall, the blend of relatable lyrics and inventive guitar work makes this among the finest debut albums the soft rock genre has ever seen.