MORE OF THE SAME
Sleep through the Static is exactly like every other Jack Johnson album I’ve ever listened to–full of breezy, acoustic grooves that make me want to be barefoot and gently swaying in a hammock somewhere. Every time I listen to it I find a new favorite song. The first go-round I fell in love with the gentle and meditative “All at Once,” probably because it’s the first song on the album. I had to listen to it three times before I could go on to the second song, “Sleep through the Static,” which pretty much says everything I’d like to say about the war on terror but in a cheeky, melodic way. Then there are a couple of love songs like “Same Girl” and “What You Thought You Need” that are so tenderly romantic and stripped down that they literally give me goose bumps. Jack’s just that good of a songwriter and singer and now I have 14 new favorite songs. This fourth album is infused with a little more harmonica and keyboard sounds than I remember hearing on other albums, which is fantastic, and the entire album was recorded using solar power. I say, keep it coming. [Jessica Armstrong]
GROWN-UP JACK
Unlike some reviewers, I actually listen to an entire album before rating it. With that said, the first I time I listened to Sleep Through the Static, I was a little upset. “Jack,” I cried to my speakers. “How could you do this to me!?” You see, in the newest album, there’s more electric guitar and keyboard than the usual, acoustic-heavy crooning. It was like seeing a new boyfriend trying on my sexy lingerie. It felt a little awkward and I was a little let down. But after listening to the album a few more times, I thought to myself, “I could get into this…” This is not the Jack Johnson I listened to while I was fresh out of high school. But this is the Jack Johnson that I’m listening to while worrying about changing, dynamic relationships, the War in Iraq and global warming. Sleep Through the Static is reflective of Jack’s own experiences with family and friends, socio-political stances, environmental concerns and personal philosophies. All of this is conveyed and mixed with soothing guitar melodies, feel-good phrases and bits of stoner wisdom. Think of this as a slightly more grown-up, edgy version of classic Jack music. Sure, it might be somewhat darker and ruminates on more mature themes, but it’s still wearing slippers. [Ynez Tongson]
QUIRKY, CUTE AND WELL-ROUNDED
In my opinion, Sleep Through the Static is great. Yeah, it sounds like Jack Johnson with a twist and, yeah, it was recorded with solar power. Both of those are selling points of their own. But, if you must know what really sold me on this album, it was the press release. I’m a sucker for a great press release. In it, he’s personal, informative and even a little political. The trick is he manages to be all these things while remaining someone you’d feel comfortable bringing home to Mom. Speaking of moms, he praises his wife and mother of his kids. I guess it’s kind of like his music. It just made me feel happy and just a little bit wistful. [Starr Begley]
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