Jack Johnson keeps to his signature acoustic guitar sounds on a solid new album, "In Between Dreams." Influenced by such artists as Nick Drake and Ben Harper, Johnson adds appeal to simplicity with intricate guitar solos and fun yet contemplative lyrics.
This former filmmaker first turned heads with the hit single "Flake" from his debut album, "Brushfire Fairytales" (2002). Johnson's second album, "On and On" (2002), was also a commercial success, allowing him to launch his own label, Brushfire Records, in the same year.
Adding to his success on the airwaves and in album sales, Johnson played to enthusiastic crowds all over the world. Beginning with his sold-out tour in October and November of 2002, Johnson has been on the road constantly since then, performing everywhere from Spain to Hawaii. Currently, Johnson is hitting the concert circuit in Australia with plans to tour the United States in the fall.
Consistency is key for a musician, and Johnson continues to deliver with his newest release. Like his previous albums, "In Between Dreams" illustrates Johnson's laid-back, no-worries surfer persona (he grew up on the north shore of Oahu, Hawaii). It contains a good mix of mellow to more upbeat tunes, and those who enjoyed his previous albums are sure to be pleased.
In "Sitting, Waiting, Wishing," the first single off "In Between Dreams," Johnson addresses the universal agony of waiting for someone to return one's affections-but in a more optimistic, less melodramatic way. In it, he asks, "Must I always, always be waiting on you? Must I always, always be playing your fool?" The great thing about this song is that it avoids being whiny, so what could easily have become another woe-is-me lament is actually a highly enjoyable tune. It's more of an ode to unrequited love than a rant on the subject.
"Banana Pancakes" is a feel-good love song in typical Jack Johnson fashion. This song can instantly draw the listener into Johnson's worry-free musical world. In it, he sings, "Maybe we could sleep in / I'll make you banana pancakes / Pretend like it's the weekend now." He asks listeners to imagine what they could be doing instead of mechanically going about their busy workdays. Its sound and lyrical style are reminiscent of Johnson's past hit single "Bubble Toes" off of "Brushfire Fairytales," a catchy cut that the singer-songwriter penned for his wife.
The more contemplative tracks include "Never Know" and "Good People." In "Never Know," Johnson sings, "We're just human, amusing but confusing / We're trying, but where is this all leading?" As he explores the limited emotional capacities of human beings, he adds, "We feel certain but we'll never, never know." It's basically a song about the uncertainties that all people have in life.
Johnson voices his concern about society today in "Good People." He asks, "How many train wrecks do we need to see? / Before we lose touch / Well it's bad, getting worse." The song is not meant to depress anyone. Rather, it's simply a thoughtful contemplation of how things are in a modern society. There is no added anxiety in Johnson's voice; it's the same cool, soothing voice that draws listeners to his other songs. In "Do You Remember," Johnson reminisces about the history of a current romance. He sings, "The craziest thing of all is over 10 years have gone by and you're still mine." His are the words of someone truly content with his life at the very moment that he sings the song.
No matter what the subject may be, each track on this album is unmistakably Jack Johnson. The cool, rhythmic acoustic tunes take listeners back to the shores of Hawaii where it all started. Upon hearing the songs, one cannot help but simply unwind and slip away "In Between Dreams."
