"Queen of California" John Mayer

Once known for his womanizing and "racist penis," John Mayer's public persona has mellowed considerably in recent years. (He's been out of the spotlight almost entirely since last fall, when he underwent surgery to remove granulomas growing on his vocal cords.) New single "Queen of California" is equally devoid of the qualities that have made him an intriguing—and at times infuriating—artist over the past decade. Foregoing his bluesy ambition (and self-seriousness), Mayer heads further into jam band territory, turning in a flat, folky ditty about moving on to the next phase of life. The homey acoustic guitar might get your foot tapping, but the lack of any musical or emotional build-up robs the song of much interest. C+