jack johnson

With his newest release, Sleep Through the Static, Jack Johnson tries his hand at the whole reinvention thing. The album, his fifth studio release, was supposed to be a departure from the surfer sound that brought him onto the pop scene. While this is his first album recorded outside of Hawaii, the island native doesn't seem to be able to leave the North Shore sound behind.

It's in the subject matter where we see a glimpse of the desired change. With the title track, Johnson moves from the familiar territory of singing about bubbly toes and banana pancakes to singing about the war in Iraq. The lyrics may have changed, but his sound hasn't; it keeps the same rolling feel as his early songs. This combination fails to create the desired effect. Instead of producing a serious political statement, the song sounds more like, well, when that stoned surfer guy you know tries to talk politics. Don't bring me down, brah.

If the thought of a Jack Johnson album devoid of nonsensical lyrics makes you uncomfortable, as it does me, don't worry. Johnson can't quite make a clean break with the silly sound that made him famous. "Monsoon" is a light, airy track centered on the refrain, "monsoon-er or later." Here, Johnson with his laid-back, carefree attitude tells the listener not to sweat the small stuff.

As the lyrics go through an evolution of sorts, the music stays stagnant. Much of the sound is exactly the same as on previous albums. The instrumental breaks and solos seem a little timid as well. Instead of really jamming out, which could be possible with this type of reggae acoustic sound, the music holds itself back. There are no tidal waves on this beach, just the rocking motion of the ocean.