Jack Johnson is an Acoustic guitarist and songwriter born in Hawaii. This is his third album and is a characteristically mellow offering and should appeal to anyone who knows how to chill out.
The album is packaged in a nice cardboard case which is a yellow background and a silhouette of a tree with a lone guitarist resting against it. This guy is seriously laid back. his album has 15 tracks but also comes with a bonus track when bought in the UK. A lot of people who have read my reviews will tend to like something completely different but I don't think many people will dislike JJ. My only complaint is that he's TOO chilled.
The Album
[Track 1 - Better Together]
A floating acoustic riff drifts through the beginning of this track and the vocals make it practically feel like a lullaby. The lyrics are positive and the tune is so calm that I'm drifting off into a deep sleep as I type. A nice pleasant opening and a sign of things to come on the album.
[7/10]
[Track 2 - Never Know]
the guitar opens the song slowly and then as the drums subtly creep in the guitar increases its tempo and Jack reaches his no-so-lively upper echelons of pace. The vocals are soothing and he draws out some words in the chorus
to create nice harmonies. The guitar adds a little funky edge to the track and I prefer a little more than the last one, mainly for this reason.
[8/10]
[Track 3 - Banana Pancakes]
The guitar strums away effortlessly and JJ opens with 'Can't ya see that its just rainin... aint no need to go outside' which sums up this song really. It conjures up vibes of of just lying there and forgetting the world. the drums are so infrequent that they are barely noticeable and as in most of his tracks, Jack is the one man army that plays the song and sings.
[7/10]
[Track 4 - Good People]
The guitar is a little edgier here and the lyrics are a little less downbeat. I suspect Jack might have had a bit of a bad day when he wrote this one. The tune livens up towards the end, but only by JJs standards. Its still miles away from rock. However, the track is good, just a little negative compared to Jack's usual chirpy musings. 'Where did all the good people go?' is his question, and to be honest, I don't have the answer. If anyone knows where they went, feel free to let me know.
[7/10]
[Track 5 - No Other Way]
This songs is another one to help you drift off, it's unbelievably relaxing and mellow. A bit like Jack Johnson is in real life I imagine. I can't really think of an original way to describe it apart from 'laid back.'
[6.5/10]
[Track 6 - Sitting, Waiting, Wishing]
This track is probably my favourite on the album. The guitar provides its own beat and Jack sings out properly for the first time in the album. When the drums come in, albeit quite in a subtle manner the track gets quite lively in comparison to some of the others and Jack sings really melodically and is joined by a piano towards the end of the song.
[8.5/10]
[Track 7 - Staple it Together]
The guitar is a little quicker this time but still acoustic and the drummer keeps tapping his cymbals. There is also a bassline to this track and few random background instruments. The song has an upbeat vibe and keeps up the momentum of the previous track for the most part. Another good song.
[7.5/10]
[Track 8 - Situations]
A short track here, only 80 seconds long. Just Jack and his guitar but not a bad track.
[6.5/10]
[Track 9 - Crying Shame]
The song starts very, very slowly but begins to gather a little pace until it reaches its lazy peak. The vocals are the most dominant part of the track which suggests to me that the instruments are just a backdrop in this track. A little more laid back than the last song and I feel like I'm running out of adjectives to describe acoustic guitar playing.
[6.5/10]
[Track 10 - If I Could]
I think it's a harmonica possibly that opens the track and some bongo-like drumming. The lullaby effect takes the lead after a short while and Jack's melodies sooth the track along a nice leisurely pace. Pretty good.
[6.5/10]
[Track 11 - Breakdown]
The guitar is very Hawaiian on this track and the drums are low but very complementary. It's forcing me to relax and I can't help yawning and thinking about saving this review as a draft and going to sleep. But I'm not going to... lets push on...
[7/10]
[Track 12 - Belle]
The guitar has makes me thing of a kind of relaxing acoustic guitar you might find in a secluded parisian restaurant and the lyrics are partially in french so I'm guessing thats what Jack wanted me to feel. I'm sure its French because I know what some of it means. The track has finished quickly though and I just noticed it's less than 2 minutes long.
[6/10]
[Track 13 - Do You Remember]
The guitar is a little sharp bu tthe tune still keeps its whistful, relaxed atmosphere. this album is so mellow that even my cat has fallen asleep next to me. Not sure if there's a direct connection because it seems to sleep whenever it isn't eating. Anyway, basically this is more of the same. Music to recline to...
[6.5/10]
[Track 14 - Constellations]
Possibly the most charmingly lethargic guitar riff of the album. A melody that is causing me to sway along from left to right on my chair, I think I usually fall asleep before I get to this track but I quite like it.
[7.5/10]
Track 15 is a Demo Version of the previous track but there isn't much difference really.
Track 16 is a live version of a track called 'Mudfootball' from a previous album and is quite a good so in fact.
Overall
The album is perfect to take a break to and should have you snoring blissfully before you get t the end. But in a good way. The songs tend to usually be quite similar to each other. Although I don't see what variation can be made by one man, his guitar and his Hawaiian chill-out session. A very good album and much lighter listening than what I usually choose. No amplifiers, no rappers, no drum solos, just simple acoustic music. And a very good example of it.
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Feb 10th, 2009
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