3-minute Summer breeze

While the contenders on JACK JOHNSON's niche - Folk singer-songwriter - get increasingly intrincate and "sophisticated" as the years go by, the Hawaiian citizen is content to rest on his simple laurels. Unadorned acoustic melodies of his own, uncomprimising vocals on the forefront, snippets of drums and basses on the background, everyman ruminations and shiny production.

The systematic, Spartan, approach to songwritting, loads of craftmanship and non-confrontational message involved in his work has something to do with the appeal of the outcomes - JACK JOHNSON is a hot commodity among middle and high classes, specially in Brazil. He is prolific, ballanced, a self-made man, an adventuring yet conscious individual (former Surf champion turned into musician) that nonetheless founds his niche in Pop market, as a fluffy, harmless bard. These days he's everywhere, from The O.C. to fashion weeks in Rio de Janeiro, in between courting Gisele Bundchen.

In Brazil, the closer comparison is with LULU SANTOS, another nice guitarist, albeit JACK JOHNSON is much more a coherent and effective (and less pretentious) artist working within a single genre.

This is the gift and the curse of his career - the guy is a consistent one. He can spawn as many nice songs as one can imagine, but his body of work sounds extremely seamless. It's hard to figure out the highs and lows, counting on radio experience. That's why I put this latest record under scrutiny.

2005's In Between Dreams is his third release overall, and it sounds a piece with the predecessors. Produced by Mario Caldato Jr (THE BEASTIE BOYS and, believe it, MARISA MONTE) and counting on the support of drummer Adam Topol and bassist Merlo Podlewski, JACK JOHNSON keeps the quality of the past while mixing a handful of new items on his agenda. They are blossoming well.

Better Together spurs a wondrous acoustic intro, but this guy quickly fells down to Earth, as in 9 out 10 of his songs. Even this said, the delicate acoustics reclaim some JJ CALE territory, including a tender childlike bridge, this I can't ignore but place the track above its peers. This is a loving waltz in straightforward mode. Put this aside for your cherished one!

Never Know keeps on easying the textures for your ears. Vocals are restrained, maybe too much. Promising intro, bouncy melodies once again, butterflies sprinkled from the glossy acoustic guitars far removed from campfires. If you can say predictable anymore, JOHNSON will provide additional synonyms. It reminds me of a bare-bones MAROON 5.

Banana Pancakes is another pretty acoustic "lounge-folk" somewhere between Bossa Nova and Hawaii, filtered through tender vocal harmonies. It satisfices - for a handful of listenings. This is the "it" about JACK JOHNSON - almost every song he writes will be worth one or two spins, but don't expect longer-term returns. The undeliable value of this guy is the event, the moment. Like a summer breeze, of course.

Good People rocks convincingly - at least for its few opening bars, before it turns into another folksy-hippie-pop rumination on "where all the good people go". JOHNSON at least provide more engaging vocals, unafraid to display panache on choruses. The brief soloing is passable.

No Other Way could arguably have been in some JOAN BAEZ record of 30 years ago. Not JONI MITCHELL due to the simplistic, but effective, love lyric. JOHNSON crawls with easy thru the delicate ringing passages. This is a pastoral plea to acquiescence and Zen-ish passion. It may even be his most representative number ever!

Sitting, Waiting, Wishing unveils some nice vocal acrobatics and keeps a basic underpinning acoustic rhythm supporting this exceed of emotional release. That is, above thr average here. Straightforward as JOHNSON intends to be elsewhere; finally he delivers. Loving impatience is a kinder and humbler item on his hippie-mentality agenda, not surprisingly this was the hit. Mentioned in my 50 best songs of 2005 listing.

Staple It Together manages to be a little bit Funky while keeping an upbeat Caribean beat, while remaining acoustic-rooted. JOHNSON shows he can be vocally smarter than you can imagine, an improved cross of SMASH MOUTH and SUBLIME. His playing reaches a technical peak while drums roar for the first (and only) time. A feelgood beach anthem.

Situations (this guy is an expert in such) is the closer we get to Lo-Fi here. No, just an underproduced track, nevertheless the bold vocals are there, in the forefront, limpid. Even though it barely trespasses the minute mark, this is no DEVENDRA BANHART, lyrics wander just a bit and drag off.

Crying Shame is the reflectul, yet energic, "power-acoustic" ballad. It is a livelier companion to Sitting, Waiting, Wishing and packs a pleasant acoustic solo. It's the poppiest and most accomplished track, really sounding like someone in between dreams.

If I Could introduce an harmonica moaning to shake a little bit the dust of tired formulaic bones; this is the closer JOHNSON cames to the Blues. The rhythm is as featherweight and pedestrian as one could expect, but heartfelt anyway. The approach is sentimental, not aesthetical.

Breakdown is closer to traditional Folk, until those forefront everyman vocals fill the room. Unfortunately, this time it sounds akin to DAVE MATTEWS cheesy efforts. Rhythm is window-dressing for an under-average narrative. It could have been a great treat, instrumental, of course.

Belle (what an apt name for a ballad) is his Bossa Nova impersonation - quite effective, indeed. But the bandoneon is purely Argentinian, what brings the track to Frenchier reigns - where in the world would anyone play Bossa Nova with Argentinean instruments? Spanish and French lyrics solve any remaining doubt. Unfortunately, all-too-brief.

Do You Remember insinuates a BLACK CROWES swaggery balladry, indeed the track is a Country-Rock attempt. JOHNSON is more than capable to handle Earthbound vocal duties. The acoustic guitars pretend they are swinging, and they pretend well. Lyrics mention "ten years gone by", this autobiography is quite cool.

Constellations is a curb on this straightforward road. Spanish-tinged guitars and moderate pace. This reflectful late-night Countrified ballad puts MARK KNOPFLER to shame. It's another high from this young seaside adult.

File under: Lounge Summer Folk

Tracklist:

(* * * * 1/2) Better Together
(* * * 1/2) Never Know
(* * * * 1/2) Banana Pancakes
(* * * *) Good People
(* * * * 1/2)No Other Way
(* * * * 1/2) Sitting, Waiting, Wishing
(* * * * 1/2)Staple It Together
(* * * 1/2) Situations
(* * * * 1/2) Crying Shame
(* * * *) If I Could
(* * *) Breakdown
(* * * *) Belle
(* * * *) Do You Remember
(* * * * 1/2) Constellations