Jack Johnson in one word: consistent.
I bought Jack Johnson’s latest (his fifth) studio album when it officially came out this past Tuesday, not really knowing what to expect. After listening to it all the way through, however, it’s obvious that I should have known all along what to expect—the same kind of stuff Jack Johnson always does. Mellow-acoustic-surfing music. Most of the tracks sound like they could be tucked neatly within Sleep Through The Static or In Between Dreams without a notice.
Even though To The Sea follows strictly to Jack Johnson’s formulaic production, there are a few moments when Johnson gets a little bolder, or I guess I should say, a little louder. There’s a pretty cool electric guitar solo in “At Or With Me,” along with some riskier vocals on Jack’s part. “Red Wine, Mistakes, Mythology,” steps out of line a bit with a jazzy piano lick, rough vocals, and an actual identifiable bass line. Besides those tracks, the single, “You and Your Heart,” stands out most of all—great harmony in the vocals and an addicting guitar riff that repeats over and over. Johnson has a great group of backup vocals. Ever heard of Zach Gill? Check him out, awesome stuff.
So no, I was not deeply moved by this album, but that’s neither a negative nor positive statement. While the record isn’t groundbreaking by any means, it’s still some great summer music, and isn’t that what Jack is going for anyway? Keeping everyone chilled out on a back porch somewhere? That’s what I’ll be doing with To The Sea this summer.
You can catch Jack Johnson here in Indy at Verizon Wireless Music Center on July 23. Ticket info here.