Jack Johnson’s latest album ditches his laid-back sandals-and-surf acoustic rock for … laid-back sandals-and-surf electric rock. Unfortunately, the electric rock sounds just like its acoustic predecessor. Net gain? Zero.
Johnson’s latest, Sleep Through the Static, moves along at a uniform, plodding pace. The album’s tracks bleed in and out of each other without offering a whole lot for the listener to take away. While there is far more electric guitar on Sleep Through the Static than any of Johnson’s other works, it doesn’t feel like the singer/songwriter really knows how to use it. Don’t pick up this album expecting to hear him rip through frenetic solos like Hendrix – you’ll be sorely disappointed.
“If I Had Eyes” is the fast-paced standout among a sea of dawdling tracks. The bouncy rhythm is a welcome change from the standard guitar melody that fills the rest of the disc. It’s a perfectly catchy pop song, and it represents the best of what Johnson has to offer – unfortunately, it’s the only one of its kind on this album.
On the slower side, “Angel,” a love ballad, is a treat. The track is short but sweet, a loving ode to (presumably) his wife. With sugary lyrics such as “She gives me everything I could wish for/ She gives me kisses on the lips/ Just for coming home,” the song is practically a candy conversation heart.
On the lyrical side of things, there are bursts of depth, although they feel forced. For example, when Johnson opens up about his anti-war sentiments, there’s no rush of inspiration for the listener. And even though the album’s title track itself is a meditation on the war in Iraq, it feels out of place when coming from the guy who has built a career on surfer shtick.
Overall, Sleep Through the Static feels like Johnson doing what he is most comfortable with. This isn’t necessarily terrible, as devoted fans will likely devour this work as voraciously as his prior albums, but it would have been nice to see Johnson do a little more than just what he’s most at ease with.
Johnson shows a willingness to extend beyond his limits with lyrics, evidenced most obviously by the heavier themes he delves into, but he doesn’t extend this open-mindedness to his musical side. Because he went to all the trouble of getting an electric guitar, it would be nice to hear him take it for a spin, but it never happens.
As it stands, Sleep Through the Static is mostly a ho-hum addition to the Jack Johnson catalog. If you liked his previous efforts, you’ll likely enjoy this, but don’t expect anything special. It’s not there. Instead, you’ll get 14 tracks that would fit in on any of Johnson’s other discs. There’s nothing wrong with staying in the edge of the surf, but it would be nice to see Johnson paddle out past the breaker and try to catch a bigger wave.
tripp.laino@yahoo.com
RATING: 3 STARS OUT OF 5
