Okay, I'll admit it. My little sister turned me on to John Mayer last summer during his tour promoting "Room for Squares."

I own RFS and would give it a 5 out of 5. It is outstanding, and this isn't even my favorite genre of music, so that's saying a lot. And no, I'm not a Dave Matthews fan and I think Mayer sounds nothing like Dave Matthews, though I may be in the minority on that.

I bought "Inside Wants Out" knowing it was a "prequel" disk and that it is not full length. That is important for you to know, this album is not full length. It is more of a demo that he used to promote himself, and now that he has achieved acclaim it is being re-released.

However, those caveats being said, I would still suggest purchasing this album if you are a Mayer fan. There are enough new songs (songs not on RFS) to make it worthwhile. The songs that appear as fully-realized songs on RFS are in their pre-production stage on IWO, which is not to say they are bad at all. These songs are accoustic and simple and in a way give a more intimate feel.

I feel like a spoilsport only giving 4 stars but I'm a tough grader and there are a few songs here that don't move me. But I heartily recommend this especially if you appreciate clean acoustic guitar and small combo arrangements.

I'm a recent discoverer of John Mayer, and the choice in front of me was this or Room for Squares. Listening to song samples of the common songs between the albums, I found the production of the RFS album to be muddy sounding, with overproduced instrumental tracks. As a guitar player, I love the clean, pure qualities of this album. Also, one of my favorite songs on this album is Comfortable, not on the other.

A number of reviews draw comparisons to Dave Matthews. Maybe there's a superficial similarity of vocal quality, but Mayer's melodies and guitar style don't sound at all like Matthews to me. The performer that Mayer really sounds like is probably less well known than he is, David Wilcox. Mayer's vocal quality, melodies, lyrical style, everything is extremely reminiscent of Wilcox's "How did you find me here" album and if you like Mayer, try that album. Wilcox's guitar parts are played with unconventional open tunings, and I wouldn't be surprised if Mayer is doing that too on some of these songs.

If you've already bought Room for Squares and like it, don't let it keep you from getting this one too. I'm betting you'll end up liking these versions better.

Basically, this album was originally released independently, way before Room for Squares, when John was primarily touring by himself (and sometimes his bassist) with just his acoustic guitar. Wanting to cash in on John's sudden success and emergence into mainstream in the year 2002, the 'big-league' record company has decided to rerelease this earlier album (as was the case with RCA rereleasing Dave Matthews Band's independent release Remember Two Things after they hit it big, for example). I would think that good musicians usually let their sound mature from album to album, but in this case, I think that this album is more mature and introspective than Room for Squares. While many of the songs are the same on both albums, this is an entirely acoustic album (no band backing him) which gives the songs a calmer, more intelligent sound (in my opinion). Don't get me wrong, it is not that I don't like the electric versions on Room for Squares, but I find those songs to be produced and recorded in a very "poppy" manner (for lack of a better word), which I feel don't mesh with John's lyrics or general style for that matter. Most hardcore John Mayer fans that I've met prefer this acoustic version of Neon to the electric one, and I would agree. Other songs like Comfortable are pure gems. Listening to this album makes you realize why John got really famous in the first place. It jams without being too improved, it is calm and upbeat at the same time, and it is good for any mood. This album perfectly blends acoustic pop with slight, funky jazz...and you'll just have to buy the album to know what I mean. John's musical influences, Dave Matthews, Stevie Ray Vaughn, and Miles Davis to name a few, are all evident here.

In conclusion, this album won't change rock and roll. John's acoustic pop isn't something that has never been done before. But it is the way John convey's his experiences with love, loss, boredom and happiness that seem to be so familiar. He seems to speak to the listener in a way where you can really identify with him. This album belongs in anyone's collection who enjoys catchy acoustic songs, with deep or introspective meanings.

And anyone who enjoys Room for Squares, buy this album NOW! I enjoy it a lot better and I bet you will too. I think the acoustic, non-band sound fits John a lot better.

I discovered Inside Wants Out, like most everyone else, after thoroughly enjoying Room For Squares and I was very pleasantly surprised by the striking differences between these two albums. Inside wants out is a bare-bones, scaled back session and because of this, the emphasis shifts very much to the lyrical content and song writing of the album. This is not to say that room for sqares was overly polished and over produced, but some times when things are simplified, their true beauty shines through even more. I am a classical musician, and teacher and because of that, I have learned to be very critical. Inside wants out comes across to me as being incredibly sincere and really original. I would give it five stars, except for the fact that this album has really put me in anticipation over what John Mayer will write and record next, and I think that he has showed enormous potential. My personal favorites from this album: Victoria (you should really see this one in concert), Comfortable and Love Soon. Listen and Enjoy.

John Mayer originally put out this CD himself before he became famous. It is NOT a full CD-only has 8 tracks. Four of them are on Room For Squares. What makes this CD worth 5 stars is the fact that it is John Mayer on an acoustic guitar without any editing or altering. It is his wonderful, humbling voice in its natural form. If you think you like an artist, you have to hear their natural voice; you will either love it or be disappointed. I love it. Editing takes away from an artist's individuality. If the artist is talented (John is), this is bad. If the artist is bad, then editing will probably help them sell CDS. You can hear the difference between "My Stupid Mouth" on this CD and Room for Squares. Buy this CD if you are a JM fan.