Simplicity is the Key

Cowabunga dudes, welcome to the wonderful world of the pot smoking, laid-back surfing age. Let’s meet our underground representative, Jack Johnson. A new artist in the music business who still remains slightly underground, he has one foot in the door and the other out. His very traditional guitar playing and relaxed music makes the CD and anthem to this sort of summer. As proof from recent releases from bands like Incubus, 311, John Mayer, and Jack Johnson, this is to be one of the most relaxed and whatever kind of summers.

I personally like the vibe that I am receiving from the music lately. The way I got to truly experience all that is Jack Johnson is by my brother. After hearing Jack Johnson’s single, “Flake,” on the radio, he started proclaiming, “My God, this song is so amazing! Must buy CD.” So he bought the CD, because he has more money than I could ever possible imagine (why do you think I write epinions [kidding]). When he got home, he popped the CD into his huge stereo setup and was pleasantly surprised. The whole CD was really worthwhile. The next thing I know, I wake up, I hear Jack Johnson, I go to sleep, I hear Jack Johnson, I’m eating, I hear Jack Johnson. It was almost like the whole CD was on replay. Jack Johnson is God, according to my brother. At least at that point in time.

So finally, I think, I want to know what is so good about this guy, so I “borrowed” the CD without asking (he wasn’t home). I let the CD play and I became pleasantly surprised. The more and more I listened, the more and more I liked what I heard. The whole CD was slightly upbeat but simple and slow. I choose to categorize it in the “Three S’s.” Short, Sweet, and Simple. The songs aren’t very long so you really can’t get sick of it, the music really is “sweet” in the lyrics and how he expresses himself and even in the slang term, and the songs are very simplistic.

If anyone was to tell you that Jack Johnson was a great guitarist, slap him please, for me. Yes the guy can play riffs, and yes the guy can play chords clearly but that’s about the extent to this former professional surfer turned artist. Actually, he was a pro surfer and in his surfing videos, his music would grace the soundtrack.

These simple tracks are just created by three people. Jack Johnson with the vocals, guitars, and the beautiful piano, Adam Topol on the drums and other percussion, and Merlo is the bass (sounds like wine). On the single, “Flake,” Tommy Jordan joins the crew for the effect of steel drums and the acclaimed guitarist Ben Harper who has appeared a few times with the Dave Matthews Band plays the slide guitar.

Actually, if you are a fan of the Dave Matthews Band, you can hear tints of similarities between the two with the acoustic guitar sound and even certain inflictions in the singing tone. I am not sure if Jack Johnson is a fan, but he strikes me more as a Bob Marley type for some reason.

So, without further ado, explanation of songs as I hear them and what I think as if my matter opinions. (Opinion matters : ) ) :

Inaudible Melodies – “Slow down everyone/ You’re moving too fast./Frames can’t catch you when your moving like that.” The chorus seems to say, its okay to you’re your time, as if this CD is the introduction to a slow and relaxed time. This song is the perfect theme song for the whole CD. “Unobtrusive tones” a lyric used more than once on the CD as if saying this CD isn’t bothersome so just take it in. Also, the title of the CD comes from this song, as evident in the first words uttered by the normal guy Jack. I really like the idea of Brushfire Fairytales, although I’m not sure I know what that means.

Middle Man – This song reflects how it just so happens that he gets stuck in the middle when people fight and how the person in the middle always has to tell the others what one said. Although a song about unhappy feelings toward the middle man, he sings happily sings in so many words, “How could you relay that message back to me?” A true song of, “Don’t kill the messenger.”

Posters – Posters on the wall, usually our idols, people that we emulate, or people we’d like to be. A situation where people feel intimidated by the posters because they can’t live up to them. They can’t be what they see, they aren’t good enough. I think it is an interesting message, and all in all it’s a good up beat song.

Sexy Plexi – This song has sort of a mariachi feel or “Spanish-tango-lets-get-up-and-dance” music. It is a great sounding and great dancing type of song that is among the best of the CD. I have yet to decipher if he says, “Breaking your mind” or “Wreaking your mind,” over and over again. What does it matter though, just dance!

Flake – The first single of Jack Johnson and Ben Harper adds his guitar expertise which makes the song all the more interesting. Starting of slow, singing “Maybe/ Pretty much always means no,” which is the truth. After that starts up the bridge to the ending in a very funky feeling as apposed to the very different beginning.

Bubble Toes – The song starts of slow and then in the middle breaks into a completely different song. Almost a lot like Flake. You could hardly tell it is the same except for the same lyrics sung in both parts. It is a good song talking about how his girl who was a friend turned into a girlfriend. The beat is captivating and moving after it moves to the second part. Even the “La Da Da Da Da Da Da,” is catchy.

Fortunate Fool – Mmm Mmm. How yummy is this girl who is too good to be true seems to be the theme of the song. I really dig this song. Slowly it builds adding more instruments. In the first verse, it just has the light percussion, acoustic guitar and bass, and then in the second a little heavier drums with light bells in the back, finally jumping into heavy piano which adds a lot to the music.

The News – By far, this is my favorite song on the CD. It is the same two chords throughout the whole song, but the simplicity of it makes it so good

Drink the Water – This song seems to strike me as yet another song desperation. If he keeps on drinking, he is going to drown and won’t make it ashore. That’s what I got out of the song. The words a little fumbled, so I still have yet to catch them.

Mud Football (For Moe Lerner) – I’m guessing this song is about someone Jack knew and had passed away, also as evident to the lyrics. They were always hanging out, a group of friends, going places, chilling, and playing football. The chorus has the idea of we always had fun never thinking that things could change. Most people have that outlook that things aren’t going to change, always stay the same and that mentality leaves as soon as things do change.

F-Stop Blues – Yes, in case you’re wondering, this is a blues song. It is about wasting your life after you had gloated about all that you would be. In the end you turn out to be the same person. Not making a name for yourself and regretting all that you did not do. “Clouds bring the F-Stop Blues” meaning a clouded vision or maybe just rain.

Losing Hope – It is a song of desperation as if afraid of change. All of your friends are gone because things are changing and because you are afraid of it, you are alone. You can seem to feel the sadness even though it has more of a lighter feel to it. It is a captivating song especially with a slight pause after singing “Losing hope is easy” PAUSE “When your only friend is gone…” and then again it jumps into the chorus. That kind of thing just grabs you.

It’s All Understood – This is really a very good song. “Fact and fiction work as a team.” The whole song seems to have many things of contradictions. Even if you don’t get it, “it;s all understood.” It must be one of the longest songs and really is the correct song to top off the worthwhile CD. I would have to say it is among the top songs on the CD.

Jack Johnson has an interesting way of singing about sad ideals (sometimes happy), and conceals the feelings of any sadness with upbeat music.

Although I really admire the songs that Jack sings and writes, I don’t know if he will have the same response with the “pop” crowd. If he has another single, I’m afraid that it might not catch as well as “Flake.” It seems around the time for him to have another one because the flare of “Flake” is dying, be it a good song. We’ll, maybe its better that he is underground. Some of the best artists and bands are.

Also, keep in mind, if you are one of those people that can’t listen to music without loud beats and music that makes your body move whether it’s voluntary or not, this may not be the CD for you. Although it could make for a good change of pace.

So go forth and share the good news about our dear friend, Jack Johnson, whose music as my friend describes is perfect after concert music. Just when you want to relax and chill, pop in the music and let it set in.