Jack Johnson-Sleep Through The Static

Record Label: Brushfire Records

Year: 2008
Track Listing:
01. All At Once
02. Sleep Through the Static
03. Hope
04. Angel
05. Enemy
06. If I Had Eyes
07. Same Girl
08. What You Thought You Need
09. Adrift
10. Go On
11. They Do, They Don’t
12. While We Wait
13. Monsoon
14. Losing Keys

Jack Johnson is a particular artist you either going to love or you’re going to hate. Most fans love him because he stays exactly the way he is, and most hate him because he’s the artist least likely to evolve.

The simple fact is that Jack Johnson is comfortable in his own skin. He knows that his music works for him, and doesn’t feel the need to change the mellow, soothing sound that has made him a star.

His latest album was recorded using nothing but solar power. Rather apt-fitting for someone who spends so much time surrounded by nature in his native Hawaii.

Like his previous albums, there is an almost soothing lull to Johnson’s music and you can almost hear the wet rain on the roof and warm breeze through the trees.

Critics have hailed this as a much darker album to Curious George, which is no surprise since Curious George was essentially an album for kids.

However, don’t expect too much different from Johnson on this album. Sure, the themes are darker and there is a somber, downtrodden tone, but essentially it’s still the laid back style of Johnson. Johnson has good intentions, with his underlying messages but on tracks such as the ‘All At Once’, and ‘Enemy’ they fail to deliver.

The laid back singing style just does not fit well with his view of the saddened state of the world. In fact, he comes across as someone who has accepted he can’t make a change and doesn’t want to try.With many fans used to his upbeat vocals, and catchy hooks, the underlying messages with their mellowed out vocals and style simply are not enough to pull a listener in. If anything, they’ll make them want to go to sleep.

Thankfully, Johnson is well aware his song-writing strengths lie in songs about relationships and tracks such as ‘Adrift’ and ‘Angel’ are pure winners.

With just the simple strum of his acoustic guitar, and warming lyrics, Johnson manages to get back to basics.

Although this style of song is rare on this album, they are definitely worth holding out for, as are ‘If I had Eyes’ and ‘Same Girl’.

Jack Johnson is at his best stripped down. Track such as ‘Go on’, a song about his children are raw, simple but focused.

One of the biggest problems I had with tracks such as ‘They do, they don’t’ and ‘All at once’ is that his heart isn’t as much in it as it is when he is singing about his family, his home and his relationships.

While it’s a tentative step in a different direction for the former Pro-surfer, I’m not sure if it’s the right one.

Stick to what you know, and you’re good at Jack.

I give it HHH

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