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 cozy formula made him a favorite among American college crowds, so it's no surprise that Johnson sticks with what he does best for his third album, In Between Dreams.
Producer Mario Caldato, Jr. is back again, touching up Johnson's summery backdrop for another playful set of songs.
The genre-blending charm and sweetness that fueled Brushfire Fairytales and On and On hasn't changed that much, but does it really have to? Johnson, alongside drummer Adam Topol and bassist Merlo Podlewski, makes safe records.
While there isn't anything wrong with that, taking a few more risks sonically and lyrically wouldn't work against him.
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 -- which he does quite well on "Better Together" and "Banana Pancakes" -- or reflecting on its hardships, Johnson's laid-back approach is his biggest strength.
In Between Dreams is a bit brighter and more upbeat, but his song remains the same.
| Title/Composers | Performer | Listen | Time | Size | Size | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Better TogetherJack Johnson | Jack Johnson | Play | 03:27 | 7 MB | 21 MB |
| 2 | Never KnowJack Johnson | Jack Johnson | Play | 03:32 | 8 MB | 22 MB |
| 3 | Banana PancakesJack Johnson | Jack Johnson | Play | 03:11 | 7 MB | 18 MB |
| 4 | Good PeopleJack Johnson | Jack Johnson | Play | 03:28 | 7 MB | 22 MB |
| 5 | No Other WayJack Johnson | Jack Johnson | Play | 03:09 | 7 MB | 17 MB |
| 6 | Sitting, Waiting, WishingJack Johnson | Jack Johnson | Play | 03:03 | 7 MB | 20 MB |
| 7 | Staple It TogetherJack Johnson, Merlo Podlewski | Jack Johnson | Play | 03:16 | 7 MB | 22 MB |
| 8 | SituationsJack Johnson | Jack Johnson | Play | 01:17 | 2 MB | 6 MB |
| 9 | Crying ShameJack Johnson | Jack Johnson | Play | 03:06 | 7 MB | 20 MB |
| 10 | If I CouldJack Johnson | Jack Johnson | Play | 02:25 | 5 MB | 11 MB |
| 11 | BreakdownPaul Huston, Jack Johnson, Dan Nakamura | Jack Johnson | Play | 03:32 | 8 MB | 21 MB |
| 12 | BelleJack Johnson | Jack Johnson | Play | 01:42 | 3 MB | 8 MB |
| 13 | Do You RememberJack Johnson | Jack Johnson | Play | 02:24 | 5 MB | 12 MB |
| 14 | ConstellationsJack Johnson | Jack Johnson | Play | 03:21 | 7 MB | 19 MB |
| 41 mins | 94 MB | |||||
| 41 mins | 244 MB | |||||
| Artist | Job | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mario Caldato, Jr. | Engineer, Mixing, Producer |
| 2 | Thomas Campbell | Cover Photo, Photography |
| 3 | Robert Carranza | Engineer, Mixing |
| 4 | Zach Gill | Accordion, Piano |
| 5 | Bernie Grundman | Mastering |
| 6 | Dave Homcy | Photography |
| 7 | Paul Huston | Composer |
| 8 | Jack Johnson | Composer, Guitar, Primary Artist, Vocals |
| 9 | Dave Lively | Art Direction, Design |
| 10 | Jeff Motch | Art Direction, Design |
| 11 | Dan Nakamura | Composer |
| 12 | Merlo Podlewski | Bass, Composer |
| 13 | Adam Topol | Drums, Percussion |
| Quality | Format | Encoding | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | MP3 | 320kps 44.1kHz | MP3 is an audio coding format which uses a form of lossy data compression. The highest bitrate of this format is 320kbps (kbit/s). MP3 Digital audio takes less amount of space (up to 90% reduction in size) and the quality is not as good as the original one. |
| CD Quality | FLAC | 16bit 44.1kHz | FLAC is an audio coding format which uses lossless compression. Digital audio in FLAC format has a smaller size and retains the same quality of the original Compact Disc (CD). |