Jack Johnson - From Here To Now To You (Album Review)
Monday, 16 September 2013
Written by Gavin Rees
‘From Here To Now To You’ is Jack Johnson’s sixth studio record, and we all know the drill by now. Hawaii’s favourite son has again penned 12 tracks so laid back as to be horizontal, conjuring the same images of sun and surf that have decorated the vast majority of his work since ‘Brushfire Fairytales’ landed over a decade ago.
The closest it comes to an edge is a reference to Fugazi on Tape Deck, one of three songs written for his children along with Radiate and You Remind Me Of You, and each song comes and goes with the breeze. I Got You is the lead single and one of a number of songs for his wife, Kim, while Washing Dishes is an effective three-minute pop song cut from the same cloth as the majority of ‘In Between Dreams’.
Johnson’s appeal hasn’t changed, at all. He’s still the same environmentally-friendly dude who loves his family, wants to save the planet and just happens to sell millions of records every time he picks up a guitar.
The reflective Never Fade, Don’t Believe A Thing I Say and Home could soundtrack a summer evening as easily as they could drift from a university hall packed with kids who ‘found themselves’ on their gap years.
With over 12 years of writing and touring behind him it should be no surprise that Johnson is very, very good at what he does, although it remains a fact that what he does is unlikely to break through the harsh exterior of many music fans.
‘From Here To Now To You’ won’t change that, even as Ben Harper stops by to lend some slide to Change, one of a couple of songs here that tackle environmental concerns. Johnson has again crafted an album that pops in and doesn’t outstay its welcome. His melodies are sharp, his lyrics are earnest and it’s all very nice. Just don’t expect anything here to get the blood pumping.
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