CD Review

Artist: Jack Johnson

Title: Sleep Through The Static

Label: Brushfire Records/Universal Records

Released: February 5^th, 2008

 3 ½ Stars

Reviewed By: Kindah Mardam Bey

Oahu is gorgeous and would induce anyone to sit, immersed in the ocean breeze (not the drink, but the weather), pick up a guitar and sing a laid back song. Jack Johnson, born and raised on the North Shore of Oahu, did just that. However, slightly more entrepreneurial than your average surfer (competitive no less), Johnson now has a career in music, a record label (Brush Fire), filmmaking and a fifth album to his credit.

Sleep Through The Static has that great laid back acoustic rock appeal that has a lazy day on a sunset beach feel to it. However, an added appeal to Johnson's music is his politically charged lyrics that are easy to swallow but relevant in their levity. Johnson's style reminds me greatly of that early 1990s acoustic rock that many bands fashioned, with even a leaning towards Counting Crows lead singer Adam Duritz brand of vocals.

Well enough is Jack Johnson's Sleep Through The Static, but the collection did seem to slip to much of the same most of the time; each song relatively in unison with the previous one. Overall this is a solid album to add to Johnson's thriving career, but not quite a break out collection. If you are looking for an album with the entire beachside campfire draw, coupled with lyrics of substance, than Sleep Through The Static will be a pleasing addition to your music library.

1. All at Once

2. Sleep Through the Static

3. Hope

4. Angel

5. Enemy

6. If I Had Eyes

7. Same Girl

8. What You Thought You Needed

9. Adrift

10. Go On

11. They Do They Don't

12. While We Wait

13. Monsoon

14. Losing Keys

15. Goodbye (iTunes Bonus Track)