Various: A Brokedown Melody
Jack Johnson and friends in chilled-out mood
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Monday, 13, Nov 2006 01:58
Island, out now.
In a nutshell.
Cool. Chilled out. Feel-good. Summery. Happy.
What's it all about?
Jack Johnson teams up with buddy Matt Costa and other surfer-singers for this 13-track CD with songs from and inspired by the 2004 film of the same name.
Who's it by
Hawaiian surfer Jack Johnson had been enjoying a strong cult following until a few years ago, when Brushfire Fairytales launched him into the public consciousness. And with two solo tracks (Home and Breakdown) on the soundtrack, as well as a song with Matt Costa and Zach Gill, he shines on the album. His influence is also clear in other featured songs.
Pearl Jam frontman Eddie Vedder puts in an unexpected appearance alongside The Beta Band and Culver City Dub Collective.
As an example.
"The number of surf writers keeps growing and growing and we cling to our tried and true and, you know, we're creatures of comfort and we find our patterns and stick to what we know best but there's a big wide beautiful world out there and for those that want it it's out there."
"Don't talk, don't say nothing. I've just packed my things and I'm headed for something. Where I'm headed well I don't really know but the road is calling and I'm on my way."
- Matt Costa's intro to The Road
Likelihood of a trip to the Grammys
Perhaps too uncomplicated for critics, this CD will be a surefire hit among fans - both old ones and the new ones who have yet to look beyond Johnson's commercial successes.
What the others say
"As undemanding driving music for people who worry they're too old for loud music, A Brokedown Melody is a perfectly fine collection. Which is to say it's a perfectly good collection for people who don't really care about music anymore and are happy with a bland selection of acoustic pop songs with the occasional detour into reggae or soft focus Latin beats." - MusicOMH.com
So is it any good?
This album has a lot to offer beyond simply being the background music to a film - it actually transports the listener to long, lazy, sunny days hanging with mates on an unspoilt beach.
Easy listening and unpretentious, A Brokedown Melody is hard not to like. The tunes are varied enough to guard against the album being boring and samey, but they remain in harmony through the chilled beats and great vocals.
Jack Johnson's newfound celebrity could give the album a boost, but his three appearances aren't crucial to its success. Matt Costa's The Road has the potential to achieve the same airplay as Johnson's Breakdown.
The film the music is based on follows the experiences of a tribe of surfers in search of the "spark of life" who aim to pass this on to a next generation. This idea is also behind the album, with Johnson's influence on the lesser-known musicians evident.
Eddie Vedder's haunting voice is often associated with somber lyrics, and on this album it is no different. However, the upbeat melody of Goodbye sounds like nothing we've ever heard from Pearl Jam and the song fits in perfectly with the rest of the album. The album also remains true to its surfing roots, with bits of dialogue interspersed with the music. This gives the end product a sense of intimacy - it doesn't have a studio feel but instead conveys a summery sense of relaxation.
You don't need to have seen the film or be a surf music fundi to love this album. It has mass appeal yet manages to stay authentic surf music.
8 /10
Karen Moller