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He hit the music scene soon after teaching himself to play guitar. Though that was the early 2000s and the music industry has certainly changed over the past several years, his style has stayed the same. Jack Johnson and his chilled-out surfer sound is the hook that has driven him out of his home in Oahu, Hawaii, to the stage of the public eye under the persona of local rock star.
With the fourth studio album out and a world tour on the way, Johnson is keeping his mainstream audience enticed but never satisfied. The most recent album, dubbed “Sleep Through the Static,” harks back to the days when an artist’s CD was based around a single idea.
“Sleep Through the Static” is the most relaxed concoction of songs that Jack Johnson has released to date, unfortunately scaling no boundaries. Johnson sticks with what he knows will work, weaving immense imagery with his lullaby styles, adding a touch of pop antics in when you think he’s about to lose you in “the static.”
The songs roll together on this album keeping the flow going. The sad part of this aspect is the way it doesn’t allow many of the songs to stand alone. One will certainly remember songs and certain parts of the catch phrases, but one most likely won’t be able to stick a name to most of them specifically.
It’s always unfortunate to see that an artist is sticking to what they know will work with an audience they are comfortable with. With “In Between Dreams,” Johnson’s third album, we heard everything from acoustic/folk/beach tunes to jazz electric, nearly R&B style dance songs. On “Sleep Through the Static,” all the audience is catered to a chop up of acoustic/rock/beach lullabies. Johnson takes a step, albeit in a somewhat horizontal approach, towards more mainstream by adding electric guitar in nearly every song.
Now that the bad stuff is out of the way, the good parts are still plentiful. If you happen to be a fan of Jack Johnson, then the same old, chilled out, yet energized, feel is still there that everyone knows and loves. The new electric guitar tracks add an interesting depth that remind the listener of “F-Stop Blues” from “Brushfire Fairytales,” or “Fortunate Fool” off of the same album.
“What You Thought You Need” is an acoustic/folk tune, not unlike “Taylor” first heard on “In Between Dreams.” “If I had Eyes” is a new side to Johnson with an almost all-electric feel but still leaving the coveted hip-hop drums.
One other thing one will hear is Jack Johnson’s voice. I’m not talking about his vocals; I’m talking about his political voice. The way he uses his “rock star” image and influence to reach his audience through song is far more prominent on this latest formula of listening.
With that said, one will honestly have to make one’s own decision on the matter. I’m just here to tell you what to look out for and what to emphasize when you first look into the “static.” One can find the album at any local CD shop, or online through iTunes and the Web site BrushfireFairytales Records.com.
Grade B-
Bangor Daily News