Since the release of his first album, "Brushfire Fairytales" (2001), Jack Johnson has come a long way.
He experienced commercial success with his laid-back, beachside relaxation inspired tunes. His albums "On and On" and "In Between Dreams," released in 2003 and 2005, respectively, cemented his place in the pop scene and in the heads of jam-oriented, cannabis-loving music fans. Ever the humanist and environmentalist, Johnson explores his domestic life, the world that his children will come to see and the perpetual change that life presents in his songs.
In his latest release, "Sleep Through the Static," Johnson reunites with J.P. Plunier, the producer behind "Brushfire Fairytales." It feels like it's been a long time since surfer tunes hit the air, but with his fifth album, Johnson resoundingly declares that he is here to stay.
The album also marks the first time Johnson has recorded in a location other than his native Hawaii, perhaps signaling a change in Johnson's loose, sun-drenched lifestyle. It was recorded using entirely solar energy - much to the delight of his numerous environmentalist fans.
The first single, "If I Had Eyes," is a resolution of goodbyes - the story of two people hanging on to the memories of good days, refusing to acknowledge that the time to part has arrived.
But in the lyrics and music itself, Johnson does not sound bitter or even remotely angry. Instead it seems that he feels sorry, singing, "And if you could've tried to trust the hand that fed/ You would've never been hungry/ But you never really be."
He wants to try to make this sing-song relationship work, but sees that it takes two and "sometimes time doesn't heal." The song is yet another reminder that Johnson, however emotionally intelligent he may be, has very little acquaintance with his angry side.
"Sleep Through the Static" starts slow with "All At Once," a concerned song about the worsened condition of the world, environmentally and socially. In his typically empathetic yet slightly reserved way, he grows worried at society's lack of control.
Johnson mentions global warming in passing and laments the growing hubris of the global community. However, he remains hopeful that members of society can pull together to help each other out.
Overly optimistic? Certainly. Catchy and happy? Definitely.
The real gem of "Sleep Through the Static" is the tune "Angel." It is, for lack of better terms, the quintessential Jack Johnson love song. Although musically and lyrically simple, a style that is Johnson's forte, it is intricately beautiful. His simple voice carries the love between a father and his child: "She wears a heart that can melt my own/ She wears a smile that makes me want to sing/ She gives me presents/ With her presence alone." Johnson embraces his fatherhood (he had his first child, Moe, in 2004) with this lovely melody.
"Hope," the third track, picks up the tempo with an enthusiastic beat that immediately inspires timely head-bouncing. However, the album peaks early with sparse upbeat songs interspersed among the many slow ones.
Although the album is a good effort, Johnson does not manage to do anything different with his sound; he is still producing within his comfortable range of hippie-pleasing themes.
But then again, it would be a lie to say that anyone was expecting anything different going into this album. Johnson has always excelled in making chill music that easily fits into the background at any local PacSun, but is never avant garde in any way. If you're looking for a familiar voice singing familiar songs, "Sleep Through the Static" is for you.
