In Between Dreams [Digipak] by Jack Johnson

In Between Dreams
Released: March 1st, 2005
Label: Universal
Tracks: 14
http://www.jackjohnsonmusic.com/
All songs recorded at The Mango Tree, Hawaii, October 2004

----- Jack Johnson, himself -----

I'd never heard of Jack Johnson until last summer when I heard a CD playing at my job that I just had to find. I begged the owner to let me know who the artist was, and he was obviously surprised by the am-I-supposed-to-recognize-him look on my face after he said "That's Jack Johnson". Apparently while I'd been oblivious to the entire radio scene, Johnson had made a name for himself quite quickly on the mainland.

I say mainland since Jack's home is over the waves in lovely Hawaii, where we'd all rather be if we were truthful. :) As one of the very few genuine surfer-poet-singers in this age of modern music, Jack has a very upbeat yet introspective look at the world. After listening to a few of his songs you always feel a little better than you did before you hit 'play'. This phenomenon is more than obvious on In Between Dreams. Jack even admits he tried to make this release an up-beat CD, great for summer days with the top down or the surf up. I'd say he succeeded in a big way, and I predict In Between Dreams will be a bigger hit than either of his previous albums. His previous releases include 2001s Brushfire Fairytales and his follow up hit
On and On. You may not recognize the names, but if you hear Flake or Bubble Toes you'll recognize them. As a full-fledged Johnson fan I now own both the above albums, plus the 25 track limited release titled iTunes Originals, which unsurprisingly is only available on Apple's iTunes website. These 25 tracks are a mixture of commentary by Johnson about his inspirations and the stories behind some of his songs, and quite a few acoustic versions of songs from both Brushfire & On.

----- Track list and other stuff... -----

Okay, back to In Between Dreams again. Here's where I get all detailed and blather on about what the songs are like. I recommend you just skip reading this, go drive somewhere (or click your way to Shopping.com) and buy this CD now!

If you're still reading I guess I'll need to convince you... okay I'll try my best.

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1. Better Together: A lilting (yeah, I said lilting) tune about what life is like when two great things are combined. Relaxing, comforting, and uplifting at the same time, I just love this as an opening track. Look for the piano after each chorus, it's simple yet perfect.

2. Never Know: I guess I couldn't expect Jack to take a whole album off from commenting on the media, TV, and the direction of modern entertainment. Definitely a more driven track with a faster pace and more of the smooth patter we're used to from Jack.

3. Banana Pancakes: I busted out laughing the first time I heard this tune, and it's not's just because of the name. It's the perfect song for making every day the weekend. "When the whole world fits inside of your arms, do we really need to pay attention to the alarm". Cheesy? Yes, but it's great stuff.

4. Good People: So far this is my favorite track by far since it's exactly what I feel about pop culture. The vocals are just perfect, with Jack harmonizing with himself in a slightly minor key. A bouncy and upbeat piano backbeat gives Good People a very unique sound for a Johnson song, as I said this could be his best song on In Your Dreams.

5. No Other Way: Sliding into a more introspective mode with this song, the listener can easily reflect on times gone past and missed chances. A simple acoustic guitar plays lead and plays alone. As usual Jack leaves and open door and hope and the end of the tunnel as the song closes.

6. Sitting, Waiting, Wishing: Kick it up a notch with a song about those oh-so-familiar relationship frustrations. For anyone who's had someone string them along and then let 'em drop, this is your song. You can still find that piano playing in the background along with the standard six-string.

7. Staple It Together: At #7 I found the first track I didn't really like. I think it's the guitar riffs that sound like a bad 70s show theme song, or maybe it's because it SOUNDS like a 70s show theme song! For some reason Staple is just plain irritating... sorry Jack!

8. Situations: A little one minute ditty about nothing in general, the kind of song you write just hanging around pickin' 'n' thinkin'. See, that's the beauty of Jack Johnson, most artists wouldn't put this stuff on their album... but Jack does. :)

9. Crying Shame: Another shot across the bow of politics, peace, and everything in general. This is just another random rant more or less, a little too loaded for me too enjoy but a staple in the folk genre.

10. If I Could: Oooh, a harmonica? I love the pace, cadence, sounds, and uniqueness of this track. Jack almost coos his lyrics in a lullaby-esque song that makes you a confidante more than a listener. Relaxing to the extreme, yet it makes you think quite a bit... typical Jack Johnson.

Down the middle drops one more,
Grain of sand... they say that,
New life makes losing life easier to understand
Words are kind, they helped ease the mind,
Of this, my old friend,
And though you gotta go,
We'll keep a piece of your soul...

11. Breakdown: Lots of mandolin strumming on this song, the more the better I say. Breakdown is another chilling-out ballad about times gone by and things up ahead. Breathy vocals accompanied by great folk/bluegrass sounds make a masterpiece, not a 'breakdown'.

12. Belle: Another little jingle like Situations, only this one is 90 seconds long. A little bit Louisiana and a little bit French, I can't understand what he says, but I like it!

13. Do You Remember: Wow, a great song for an anniversary night at home with your wife. Another acoustic masterpiece with just a simple six-string picking away in the background. I love how Jack can make a great song with no background at all, this is a perfect example. At times humorous, at times wistful, Remember is a look back at 10 years together with more to come.

Well all these times,
They come and go,
Along don't seem so long now,
Over 10 years have gone by,
We cant rewind,
We're locked in time,
But your still mine...
Do you remember?

14. Constellations: Nope, the last song isn't the best one on this album... but it's pretty dang close. Capping off the list of perfect laid-back tunes on In Your Dreams, this song is a harmonic blend of crooning Jack and a steady shuffle beat keeping soft time in the background. Beach blankets, star gazing, and stories with Grandpa all make their way into this last song of a great CD.

"It was just another night,
with a sunset and a moonrise,
not so far behind,
to give us just enough moonlight,
to lay down underneath the stars,
and listen to Papa's translations,
of the stories across the sky,
we drew our own constellations...

Bonus track 15: Constellations (Demo from The Mango Tree) For a limited time if you purchase In Your Dreams on Apple's iTunes website you'll get this free bonus version of Constellations. It's not much different but definitely worth the price.

NOTE: This album and most other albums are available on Apple's iTunes site for $9.99. Not that I'm working for them or anything... I just don't care about having a million CDs laying around and don't mind saving 3-6 bucks a disc.

----- Bottom Line -----

If you're like me and have't heard Jack Johnson before I URGE you to give him a try. His CDs are some of the very few I can toss in the player and not take out for a few months. In Your Dreams is great no matter what your mood, but it's especially effective when you're tired and stressed. Just hearing If I Could, Breakdown, Better Together, Good People, and... well heck I guess the whole disc (minus track 7) is just about the best cool-down album I've ever heard.

All these songs were written by Jack Johnson, which deserves a big thumbs-up if you ask me. In an era full of Hillary Duffs and Lindsey Lohans picking made-for-radio junk off a sampler platter, it's refreshing to see an artist build a whole CD from his own creativity and personal perspective. I'm sure you're wondering if the whole CD sounds the same, to which I have to say no. There is a continual thread throughout all Jack's songs, but it's more of a 'feeling' than a particular sound, and believe me you won't find his material repetitive.

So you ask, do I like it? Yeah, I guess you could say that. You can really feel Jack's Hawaiian attitude on this release, and I guess a little rubs off on me every time I hear these songs. I'll close with the CD jacket blurb written by Jack to the listener.

Dear Anybody,
How are you? I'm fine. I've finished recording a new group of songs. My intention was to fill this record up with songs that would make people feel good about being human. Somehow a few cynical songs about reality T.V., war, and people pushing on each other slipped in there. Try not to focus on those and let your heart feel warm.
Aloha,
J.J.



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