6.01.2010

CD REVIEW: Jack Johnson "To The Sea"

To The Sea Jack Johnson has become synonymous with laid back mellow acoustic tunes, so it's unlikely that he will stray too far from what he does best. This time he decided to plug in and kick the energy up a few notches with a little electric guitar sprinkled throughout his newest release. The mellower acoustic tunes on this release are actually some of the most mellow and quiet songs he's ever written, particularly "When I Look Up" and "My Little Girl." On the flip side, his most energetic tunes on this album are "The Upsetter," which is equal parts Santana, the Rolling Stones, and Bob Marley, and "At Or With Me" which finds Jack at his funkiest on this album. G. Love lends his bluesy harmonica skills to "At Or With Me" and "Red Wine, Mistakes, Mythology" and Hawaiian singer Paula Fuga also contributes her soulful backing vocals on a few tracks. The entire album was self produced by the band, making it the most hands on recording experience of their career. The single "You And Your Heart" is an instant classic, bridging the gap between Jack's old and new sounds for a track that is mellow and electric all at the same time. The song "From The Clouds" is also sure to become a single, as the music is catchy and the lyrics are easily singable. This album is a very personal album, as is evident on "No Good With Faces," "Only The Ocean," and "Turn Your Love," with Jack staying away from lyrics relating to politics and activism. Certainly a different recording, Jack Johnson has proven that he can do the same old thing and still make it new and exciting. He always creates outstanding albums that are thematic and cohesive, and "To The Sea" is just as awesome as all of his previous albums. As Jack grows, so do his fans, his music, and his messages. His latest is a testament to where he came from, where he is, and where he is going, and from start to finish he makes an incredible connection to his fans by bringing them along for a great ride.

BURN THIS / June 2010



  1. The Beautiful Girls "10:10"
  2. Michael Franti & Spearhead "Shake It"
  3. C-Money (featuring G. Love) "Arroz Con Pollo"
  4. Dirty Heads "Sails To The Wind"
  5. Iration "Let Me Inside"
  6. Passafire "49th"
  7. Timmy Curran "Swim"
  8. Ry Cuming (featuring Sara Bareilles) "Always Remember Me"
  9. Kai Brown "Moments Like This"
  10. Justin Nozuka "My Heart Is Yours"
  11. Pete Francis "Light Up My Day"
  12. Josh Ritter "Southern Pacifica"
  13. Good Old War "My Own Sinking Ship"
  14. Griffin House "River City Lights"
  15. Robert Francis "One By One"
  16. JBM "Friends For Fireworks"
  17. Ruarri Joseph "An Orchard For An Apple"
  18. Angus & Julia Stone "Yellow Brick Road"
  19. Xavier Rudd "Set Me Free"
  20. The Cat Empire "Beyond All"

New Release Tuesday

New releases out today worth checking out:
  • Chase Coy - Picturesque
  • Good Old War - Good Old War
  • Jack Johnson - To The Sea
  • moe. - Smash Hits: Volume One
  • Tamarama - Tamarama