Jack Johnson - In Between Dreams

Singer/songwriter Jack Johnson writes songs that just feel good, sticking to an equation that combines his warm, relaxed voice with an acoustic guitar. That cosy formula made him a favourite among American college crowds, so it's no surprise that Johnson sticks with what he does best for this third album. Producer Mario Caldato, Jr. is back again, touching up Johnson's summery backdrop for another playful set of songs. The genre-bending charm and sweetness that fueled Brushfire Fairytales and On and On hasn't changed that much, but does it really have to? Tender moments such as "If I Could" and "No Other Way" showcase a more reserved side on In Between Dreams. Other highlights include the lullaby-like "Breakdown" and the bossa nova rhythms of "Do You Remember". Whether he's singing about being in love or reflecting on its hardships, Johnson's laid-back approach is his biggest strength. A bit brighter and more upbeat, but his song remains the same.

A great example of how critics are often not all right, when Jack Johnson dropped his third studio album, In Between Dreams, music writers the world over adopted partisan positions. Some believed this definitely was worthy of catapulting him from Pretty Famous Acoustic Surf Rock Guy Popular With People Who Went Travelling Post-Millennium, to global superstar. Other were pretty non-plussed.

Suffice to say, we all know who won in the end - Jack Johnson. In Between Dreams rocketed to high chart positions, reaching number one in Australia and the UK, and number two in America, returning to reclaim that US position upon reissue in 2013. One of the most familiar records of the last couple of decades, even if you've never actually owned a copy (partly the result of all the advertising licensing that has taken place), perhaps now is the time to rectify that ownership issue.

Tracklist

A1        Better Together
A2        Never Know
A3        Banana Pancakes
A4        Good People
A5        No Other Way
A6        Sitting, Waiting, Wishing

B7        Staple It Together
B8        Situations
B9        Crying Shame
B10        If I Could
B11        Breakdown
B12        Belle
B13        Do You Remember
B14        Constellations