En Concert Review

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(More customer reviews)Hey People, you please have to disregard the 2 star review. I'm usually not someone to diss other reviewers, but that one screams "clueless" so loud I couldn't resist. It's a LIVE Album!!! So of course it's well known (and beloved,by most) songs and no new material. "Sleep through the Static" is not even that old yet (Feb 08). No serious musician or band throws out a new album every year, Jack never did! And I don't think he needs something to stay in peoples head's either, unless he would be aware of the fact that the majority of his fans suffer from severe memory loss, which I believe they don't!
This Live album is great! And I think it's a good time in his career to release one! The live vibe is transported well and the dynamic of the songs is different from the studio albums through lot's of great musical interaction within the band and guest musicians! A fact that was already noticeable on the first Live DVD " A weekend at the Greek" (If anything you could argue if the time was right for another Live DVD only 4 years later, but as a fan I'd rather enjoy than scream sellout!)
Plus there is a couple cool coversongs mixed in too. So theoretically there is some "new" Jack Johnson stuff.
Keep the balance and keep it positive!

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This deluxe edition will feature both the film, and CD as well as an extended 60 page book of photos from the tour.The 2008 world tour had a ton of special moments, and this CD represents some of the finest. From sharing the stage at Bonnaroo with Eddie Vedder, to leading a massive singalong at Bercy in Paris, to wowing a festival crowd at Outside Lands, to stepping onto the stage alone to close the show at Red Rocks. Longtime crowd favorites from Jack's catalog are interwoven with passages from some of Jack's own favorite songs (Do You Remember segues into a verse from Jimi Hendrix's "Remember"; Jack's "The Horizon Has Been Defeated" blends into Paul Simon's "Mother and Child Reunion" in front of a mainstage headlining crowd at Bonnaroo, and "Bubble Toes" dips into the Charles Wright classic "Express Yourself").

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Sleep Through The Static Review

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(More customer reviews)I'd read interviews where Jack Johnson had stated that his next album would feature a different direction with electric guitars. Well, he's not quite right. "Sleep through the static" isn't a radical departure, which is fine by me as what he does is great; Gently rolling surf like acoustic music. One listen to opening cut "All at once", "Enemy", or the lovely "Same girl" tells you that.
Lead single "If I had eyes" is bluesy and upbeat (well, by his standards), and you can hear the subtle difference new band member (pianist Zach Gill) makes to the music. I like the OO OO OOs!! Similar in feel is "What you thought you needed", with light marching beats and lightly buzzing guitars.
"They do they don't" is slower but with edgier (slightly distorted) sounding guitars (I really like this one), while "Hope" is lite reggae. "Adrift" is a tender piano sprinkled bluesy number, lovely!
I guess where there is more of a change in direction is lyrically; title track "Sleep through the static" sees him going political and lyrically references the Iraq war ("we went beyond where we should have gone" he says) or "Go on" (a lovely acoustic/piano ode to his growing brood, presently 2 children), and the very tender "Angel" (about his wife).
As long as you're not expecting a radically different sound, you should enjoy this,that is if you like the guy's music in the first place.


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My friends and I have just finished recording a new album called Sleep Through the Static. At this point in my life I weigh about 190 lbs and my ear hairs are getting longer. I also have a couple of kids. My wife popped them out, but I helped. Some of the songs on this album are about making babies. Some of the songs are about raising them. Some of the songs are about the world that these children will grow up in; a world of war and love, and hate, and time and space. Some of the songs are about saying goodbye to people I love and will miss. We recorded the songs onto analog tape machines powered by the sun in Hawaii and Los Angeles. One day, JP Plunier walked into the studio and told us, "It has been 4 to 6 feet and glassy for long enough," and so we gave him a variety of wind and rain as well as sun and so on. And Robert Carranza helped to put it all in the right places. After inviting Zach Gill to join Adam Topol, Merlo Podlewski, and myself on our last world tour, we decided to make him an official member of our gang. So our gang now has a piano player, which probably makes us much less intimidating, but Merlo, our bass player, is 6'3" so we are still confident. All of these songs have been on my mind for a while and it is nice to share them. I am continually grateful to my wife who is typing this letter as I dictate it to her. I hope you enjoy this album. Mahalo for listening, Jack Johnson
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To the Sea Review

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(More customer reviews)Jack's new release 'To The Sea' feels like a day at the beach. It has a more raw, upbeat feel than his other CDs, but I think thats a good thing. There's nothing groundbreaking here, but Jack is not a groundbreaking artist. He is true to himself, and I think the direction he went with this CD is positive. There is definitely a noticeable influence from Zach Gill on this record, but I dont think that is a bad thing. Some people will complain that he's moving away from the simpler acoustic stuff, but for me it is a welcome change. Jack has turned it up a notch from Sleep Through The Static, IMO. Top to bottom its a rock solid CD that almost any Jack Johnson fan will like.
You And Your Heart - 8/10 - Took a few listens to grow on me, but its solid and a great opener to the CD. Great video, too.
To The Sea - 8/10 - A home run. Funky, fun, and just plain good. Love the guitar work near the end. Very Hendrix-like. This will be new vintage Jack in a few years.
No Good With Faces - 9/10 - I LOVE this song. One of the best on the CD, IMO. A simple song with a haunting feel. But lets not get ahead of ourselves, theres more songs to review...
At Or With Me - 10/10 - Wow. Best song on the CD, IMO. This song was recorded in a single take in the studio as a demo, but they liked the raw feel so much they put it on the CD. Very upbeat, very catchy, and a great live jam. Unlike anything hes ever done. Love the blues harp that comes in unexpectedly towards the end. I hope he keeps this in his live setlist. Oh-Oh-Oh-Ohhhh!
When I Look Up - 4/10 - I wish this was a longer song, and the length is the only reason I give it a low score. Could have been left off the CD and it wouldnt have made a difference. It sounds like an intro, and thats how I see it...as an intro to...
From The Clouds - 8.5/10 - I REALLY like this song. Its a summer beach song for sure. Love how the guitar and piano compliment each other. "Youre so sweet to me, when you beat me in double solitaire...and youre so sweet to me, in a world thats not always fair". Vintage Jack.
My Little Girl - 7/10 - A nice little love song. Simple, sincere, and to the point. Jack does mellow and tender like nobodys business. Best acoustic song on the CD.
Turn Your Love - 7/10 - I love the music on this track, and this song is growing on me quickly.
The Upsetter - 6/10 - My least favorite song on the CD...Just too much going on, it feels kinda clunky. I like parts of it and the lyrics, and get what he was trying to do, but it just doesnt work for me.
Red Wine, Mistakes, Mythology - 9/10 - Another song that WOWED me. A raw, jammy feel. Reminds me of something Id hear in a New Orleans club. Just a fun song with a funky vibe and great lyrics. This is summertime porch music.
Pictures of People Taking Pictures - 7.5/10 - This song had to grow on me. At first it annoyed me...but the more I listen, the more I like it. Ray Davies comes to mind when I hear the lyrics. And although it seems a bit repetitive at times, it somehow works. Give it a few listens and I think you'll agree.
Anything But The Truth - 7/10 - like the other slower, acoustic songs on this CD, this one is growing on me. Its soothing to listen to and the music is beautiful.
Only The Ocean - 8/10 - This song feels like a sunset on the beach, which is fitting for the closing song on the CD. Haunting music...good lyrics...it pulls me in every time I hear it. A great final track. Having the CD for a few days, I now believe this may be his best release to date. Overall, a must have for any Jack Johnson fan, and for anyone who likes fun, mellow, feel-good, non-pretentious music. Two enthusiastic thumbs up.

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2010 release, the fifth studio album from the acclaimed singer/songwriter. The album was produced by Robert Carranza, Jack Johnson, and his bandmates Merlo Podlewski, Zach Gill and Adam Topol. To The Sea features guest appearances from the likes of G. Love, and Paula Fuga. The album was recorded at the Mango Tree Studio in Hawaii, and the Solar Powered Plastic Plant in LA using 100% solar power.

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