Jack Johnson, “To the Sea” (Brushfire)
Jack Johnson has quietly become one of the biggest pop stars in America. And when we say quietly, we mean it. The Oahu-reared surfer-turned-singer has never relied on bombastic pop production or controversial off-stage antics for his stardom. The secret to his success: Low-key, inoffensive, acoustic songs about life, love and his unique relationship with the water.
They’re all here on his fifth full-length, “To the Sea,” dedicated to the memory of his father, Jeff. The CD’s first single, “You and Your Heart,” is a jangly, likable track that plays with harmonies and that trademark Johnson sentiment that is so popular with the kids. “You and your heart shouldn’t feel so far apart,” he sings casually.
And Johnson is nothing if not casual. Like his other records, this effort sounds like a shoes-optional outing best enjoyed in a hammock or on a beach. It’s no cliche: Johnson and his intimate connection to the water is a very real relationship. His love of stilted rhythms and pointed pauses mirrors the tide’s in-and-out flow. That said, this record won’t likely turn Johnson’s critics around, as it’s alarmingly similar to his previous releases.
Jack Johnson is one of the headliners at this summer’s Mile High Music Festival on Aug. 14-15. More: .
Ricardo Baca
