Jack Johnson: Sleep Through the Static
Jack's back and as relaxed as ever on his brand new album.
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Saturday, 02, Feb 2008 10:53
Brushfire/Island, out February 4th.
In a nutshell...
Relaxed, dreamy, smooth, bluesy, poetic
What's it all about?
Sleep Through The Static is Jack Johnson's fourth solo studio album, following his debut Brushfire Fairytales, On & On and the incredibly successful In Between Dreams. With the latter shifting more than 1.3 million copies in the UK alone and Johnson achieving worldwide sales of over 15 million, his sound seems to have found favour across the globe with his surf-inspired melodies and lyrics. Sleep Through the Static sees the singer-songwriter team up with producer JP Plunier once again, the mastermind behind Johnson's debut. The CD was recorded using 100 per cent solar energy, as Johnson's commitment to the environment and recycling takes another huge step. It's about bringing Johnson back from the quirky/questionable sounds that fit an animated film to the laid-back melody filled masterpieces of In Between Dreams.
Who's it by
Jack Johnson's popularity in the UK was highlighted in 2005, when he ventured to play on these isles for the first time. Shows in Shepherd's Bush and Cornwall - planned as low-key - sold out in just nine minutes as people fought to hear the relaxed, melodic and almost hypnotic acoustic sounds of the Hawaiian-based musician. Johnson lists his musical influences as the likes of Nick Drake, the Beatles, Radiohead, Otis Redding, Bob Marley and numerous others. Also among those Johnson claims to have influenced him is Ben Harper who is managed and produced by none other that JP Plunier, the guy who got his hands on the first Johnson-penned soundtrack and propelled him into the wider music conscious.
As an example.
"I've got an angel/She doesn't wear any wings/She wears a heart that could melt my own/She wears a smile that could make me want to sing." - Angel
Likelihood of a trip to the Grammys
Well he's been nominated before - Sitting, Waiting, Wishing from In Between Dreams was nominated for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance at the 2006 Grammys - and with his lyrical, melodic, feel-good style, there's always someone who's going to think "I like that. Let's give him a Grammy." Even though that's not really how it works.
What the others say
"Sleep Through the Static has one gear, and that's the one marked 'Actually, can we do it tomorrow?'." - Guardian
"Sleep Through [the] Static is tuneful, mellow and warm with a lovely soulful, solar power - quite literally, as this may be the first major label album recorded with 100 per cent solar energy." - Mirror
So is it any good?
Sleep Through the Static is vintage Jack Johnson, who - despite huge commercial success - stays focused on the things that matter: great melodies, inspired lyrics and remaining true to his roots.
However, Sleep Through the Static does offer something new. It is proudly eco-friendly, having been recorded purely using solar energy, and the social consciousness shines through in the lyrics penned by the surfer-songwriter.
In the title track, he comments on war: "Mind your manners/Wave your banners/What a wonderful world from this angle we see," and about people's apathy: "You could watch it instead from the comfort of your burning beds... /Or you can sleep through the static."
But he is still Jack Johnson and the optimism always returns. No matter what happens in the world, he has his same girl who is his angel without wings. Corny to some, but delivered in that smooth troubadour voice, there is something irresistible about everything Johnson conjures up.
While his latest offering is a clear continuation - and in my opinion, a step up - from In Between Dreams, there is a sense of harking back to the first bootlegs and the early success of his first albums.
So with Sleep Through the Static, Johnson brings something that will impress his early cult followers as well as satisfy new fans.
9/10
Karen Moller