In Between Dreams |
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Artist:
Jack Johnson
Average Customer Rating: 
List Price: £14.99
Our Price: £4.95
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Disc 1:
| 1. Better Together | | 2. Never Know | | 3. Banana Pancakes | | 4. Good People | | 5. No Other Way | | 6. Sitting, Waiting, Wishing | | 7. Staple It Together | | 8. Situations | | 9. Crying Shame | | 10. If I Could | | 11. Breakdown | | 12. Belle | | 13. Do You Remember | | 14. Constellations | | 15. Mudfootball |
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 Chilled Out Music, 2010-04-08
Born on Hawaii in 1975. A professional surfer, film maker and dedicated family man, Jack Johnson is once again proving himself as an accomplished musician with his latest album "In Between Dreams".
Jack Johnson has a talent for writing songs that just feel good and are easy to listen to, sticking to an equation that combines his warm, relaxed voice with an acoustic guitar. Johnson has gained a large fan base across the globe and brings back the beach rock/pop image which has dwindled in recent years since the heights of the `beach boys'
"In between dreams" is what artists call the dreaded third Album for Jack Johnson. But you wouldn't have thought this. Jack decided to go back to the Producer Mario Caldato who helped create the `On and On' album and who helps by perfecting the sound of Johnson's summery backdrop for another playful set of songs. The instruments used in the album include an acoustic guitar and a piano both of which help add to Johnson's trademark feel good music
The first track on the album "Better Together" is the best way to start any album, this is because of the feel good factor which is the pinnacle of Johnson's work. The use of the lyrics "it's always better when we are together" helps show us that the song has a love narrative, this helps to add meaning to the song. Throughout the song the same guitar chords are used helping to keep a fast tempo.
He has not disappointed us by using again the classic chilled out nature which we have come to expect from Jack Johnson in his previous two albums. One of Jack's biggest tasks was trying to match the heights of his debut album "Brushfire Fairytales" which took the music world by storm with its modern blues style. This is not to say that his second album "On and On", which sold 2.1 million copies and reached the dizzying heights of no 1 in the Australian charts did not match up to expectations but it did however seem to lack as much energy and freshness. Some people would argue that this new album is Johnson's best work yet due to the fact that he manages to engage the listeneners in each song and enables them to feel a personal belonging to the music which he sings.
"In between dreams" is one of those albums where it is extremely hard to really decide which song is the best. This is mainly due to the fact that there are three strong contenders for this role, these are -
"Better Together" which, as the first song on the album has an important job because first impressions can sometimes make a difference from someone wanting to listen to the rest of the album or not. "Better together" does this well because Johnson fans will immediately recognise the style of music which has enabled him to become a college student favourite. The song should not be ignored for the message which it is trying to tell the audience that memories are better when we are together. Like many of the other songs which he has written this track thrives on the lyrics.
"Sitting Waiting Wishing" starts off with a small intro which helps give the song a build up. A guitar is used to show this and as the song progresses the pace increases, this could be due to the lyrics being sung quicker and also because the message is strong. Throughout the song the same chords are used helping to make the song fit in with the lyrics.
"Do You Remember" this is a song which starts off quickly, this pace continues throughout. The lyrics used in this song have the unmistakable trademark feel good nature which is common in Johnson's work. Because the story which is being told is done in such a way it makes it appear personal to Johnson himself helping to add to the personal feel of the song therefore helping to engage the audience.
All of these songs carry a lot of meaning and Jack has mentioned in various interviews that they were written to reflect things which have happened to him. This also helps the audience to relate to him when listening to the album.
Track six, "sitting waiting wishing" is the best track on the album. This is due to the strong lyrical content which we are presented with throughout the track as well as the bold story which is being told "A friend of mine was trying to get this girl named Michelle," said Johnson, "and I tried to write a song that would help him have a laugh at himself because he was spending so much time trying to get her and it obviously wasn't leading anywhere. That was one just to cheer up a friend".
If there was one thing wrong with the album it would be that there could have been one or two more songs instead of the bonus track of the live performance of `Mud Football' from the album `On and On'. This is only a selfish criticism because the 14 songs which have been recorded for the album are by far his best work yet and will prove a hard task to beat when he attempts to write a new album to better this and the previous two.
Verdict
A solid album which any fans of Jack Johnson should own because there are not any really down points. Although it must be said if you haven't listened to previous albums then it is a style of music you either love or hate. It is noticeable that Jack's style hasn't developed much throughout the 3 albums which he has produced, which isn't necessarily a bad thing but it wouldn't do him any harm to take a few more risks. The album is arguably his best yet and will prove a hard challenge to improve although the challenge will be one which Jack will enjoy and embrace.
feel good, 2010-07-06
a great album with a feel good factor.beautifully written and performed by jj.a great album to listen to whilst sipping a cool drink on a terrace with the summer sun setting in a warm haze.my personnel favourite is the dreamy constallations track...well worth the money...
 relaxing, 2010-03-11
This is the album i put on if i'm stuck in a traffic jam it completely chills me out. I am a big fan of JJ this is my favourite album of his. Perfect on a sunny day and as background music too.
Holiday cd, 2010-07-31
I heard this cd while I was on holiday in Turkey. I'd never heard Jack Johnson's music before. It was being played over and over so I asked who the artist was. As soon as I got back I ordered a copy. Great artist, very relaxing easy music. Will buy more of this artist. Nice reminder of a wonderful holiday.
Jack Johnson, 2010-06-27
It's a great cd, no problems with it.
Quick dispatch and arrival.
Recommended for anyone
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Amazon.co.uk Review
For a man who gets his biggest kicks surfing the waves and strumming his guitar on a lonely beach in native Hawaii, singer-songwriter Jack Johnson has carved out quite a remarkable career on the mainland. His 2003 album, On and On, went platinum on the back of hit single "The Horizon Has Been Defeated." The follow-up, meanwhile, seems destined to shine even brighter. The drifting chords and soft voice are still in place, only now Johnson's instinct for melody has sharpened alongside his ability to self-edit. These small concessions make third album, In Between Dreams, his most conspicuous, particularly on tracks like the three-minute relationship drama, "Sitting, Waiting, Wishing," and "Breakdown," a song he originally recorded for Handsome Boy Modeling School's White People album remade here to reveal its full stripped-down loveliness. Imagine all the coconuts it will buy. --Aidin Vaziri
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Binding: Audio CD
EAN: 0602498802526
Label: Universal / Island
Manufacturer: Universal / Island
Number Of Discs: 1
Publisher: Universal / Island
Release Date: 2005-04-20
Running Time: 46
Studio: Universal / Island |
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