Jack Johnson - In BetweenDreams

Thu 17th Mar, 2005 in Music Reviews

Growing up in Oahu, Hawaii, making his own surf films, Jack Johnson teamed up with Merlo (bass) and Adam (drums/percussion) to release their own music. With influences such as Ben Harper, The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix and Radiohead we were first given the highly successful Brushfire Fairytales (2001), then On and On (2003), both of which were popular worldwide and threw their music into the limelight with its cool, cruisy feel.

The new release, In Between Dreams, is not quite of the same calibre, however it does stay true to the simple sound and along with the relatively short album (only 41 minutes) you also get a DVD component that provides a little insight to the Jack Johnson we know and love. But more on the DVD later…

In essence, it is a very easy album to listen to. So when you are in those “I just want to sit, chill and do nothing” moods, it is guaranteed to do the trick. The universal lyrics of finding love, losing love and being in love, to environmental issues and everything that is going wrong in today’s society feature predominantly. Combine this with the smooth crooning voice of Jack and hey presto! Another low-key, warm and relaxed blues/roots album.

In Better Together being in love is the very obvious topic. It is evident even the first line: “There is no combination of words I could put on the back of a postcard, and no song that I could sing but I can try for your heart”. Likewise in Banana Pancakes.  A personal favourite of mine, he sings of doing everything possible to keep the one you love from “doing what you’re supposed to do”. It is quirky, upbeat and leaves you with those wonderful warm n’ fuzzy feelings!

The first single released, Sitting, Waiting, Wishing, has had huge airplay and basically, everyone should be able to relate to it. Ever been hurt? Played? Kept waiting for eternity? Obviously at some point Jack has. It’s a catchy tune and one that I’m sure lies close to the heart of so many others.

Staple it together  is an optimistic tune, if only for the line “Better staple it together and call it bad weather.” Situations, the shortest song at just 1 minute 16 seconds, leads into the beautifully crafted Crying Shame. A nice melody that tugs on the heart strings, it would make a fantastic second release that would reinforce the credibility of the album.

A recent recruit into parenthood, when Jack sings the lullaby-like If I Could, you can sense the pride and pleasure within, despite the over-bearing issue of losing a friend. “They say that new life makes losing life easier to understand, Words are kind they help to ease the mind, I’ll miss my old friend” Please, someone hand me a tissue!!

The DVD component is comprised of three sections. The first is the making of In Between Dreams. Jack talks of recording and setting up a studio in Hawaii. And on writing songs: “They just come or they don’t.”

The second section is a brief look at the upcoming DVD Live in Japan. Even in a super-busy and chaotic country, the tunes of Jack Johnson can still overcome it all. And the third section is Scenes from A Brokedown Melody, which shows us the other side of Jack’s life – his surf culture. Great footage, interesting comments and a great way to see the whole picture on what makes Jack, well, Jack.

And finally, if you look closely at the back of the cover, In Between Dreams sports the ‘1% for the Planet’ logo. So of every copy sold, 1% will be donated towards environmental organisations around the world to help our planet!