Jack Johnson - In Between Dreams
By: Patrick Vu | Category: Album Reviews | 03/24/05 | 01:06 AM
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Grade: A- | Genre:
Rock
Summary: This is the CD you want playing at a late Sunday afternoon cookout when you're kicking back and sipping drinks. All you need is Jack and his guitar, and I swear you can almost feel a cool light breeze blow through. Gather 'round kids, because you're in for a treat. |
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 You may not realize this, but there is a void in your CD changer that Jack Johnson might be able to fill. Sure, you may think that your eclectic collection of Coldplay, The Shins, John Legend and 50 Cent perfectly satisfy as your musical taste buds. However, what you don't have is the easygoing surfer sounds that Jack has mastered on his third release, In Between Dreams.
We can call him Jack, not Mr. Johnson, because we feel like he's our friend. He's the guy that breaks out the guitar at a party...he's your neighbor that fiddles around on his back porch. His laid back style is infectious, and you know it's time to take things easy when In Between Dreams is playing.
Dreams fills a niche in an understated sort of way. His sound is so simple but yet refined and more crisp than his previous albums, On and On and Brushfire Fairytales.
"Better Together" begins and sets the pace for Dreams. It's a poignant admission of how one person can make your life worth living. You can even say that things just feel better with a daily spin of this album.
"Banana Pancakes" makes it easy to dismiss a rainy day because it keep things warm and sunny inside. You're happy to stay in because as Jack puts it, "There aint no need to go outside."
The album detours for a bit with the standout "If I could" which is a darker and more solemn side of Dreams. It's a helpless feeling of wanting to help, but knowing that there's nothing you can do. No worries though, because you are instantly comforted by "Breakdown's" reminders to slow down and enjoy what you have.
"Dreams" gets back on track with "Do You Remember," a 2 and a half-minute timeline of a developing relationship. It's a photo book of memories strung together by Jack's words and melodies.
I can't help but described this album as a "sober G. Love and Special Sauce" or maybe "G. Love the morning after." In Between Dreams is a stripped down expression of your everyday thoughts. It's a collection of familiar tales and anecdotes that are a source of comfort when you least expect it.
Do you remember story time when you were young that took you away from everything and stirred your imagination? Well, that's what Dreams is. It's like story time but for adults. Like a buddy says, "It just makes you happy." This is the CD you want playing at a late Sunday afternoon cookout when you're kicking back and sipping drinks. All you need is Jack and his guitar, and I swear you can almost feel a cool light breeze blow through. Gather 'round kids, because you're in for a treat.
Posted by: Camille at April 23, 2005 09:31 PM
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