Weekly > Reviews
Jack Johnson - Brushfire Fairytales
Those of you who have been kind enough to read my previous entries, and moreso those who know me, will know that I’m pretty straightforward, tunnel-visioned even, when it comes to my music. I know what I like and I like what I know. I’m a late developed indie-chick, with a large penchant for piano house (aka “old skool”) and Jamiroquai. At 18, I was musically confused; one minute swaying to Inspiral Carpets, the next, making boxes to DJH feat Stefy. In my peer group, as in others, one was defined by musical taste, and only one taste was allowed. So there started my relationship with house music, peppered with several illicit affairs with indie. Then I grew up a bit and realised it’s okay to like different music and basically not give a chuff what other people think. Even so, I still have a tendancy to be “closed” to new music and stuff I don’t know, and am usually cajoled into trying new things. But y’know sometimes it’s worth it. And so ends my scene-setting – time to get to the matter in hand.
Over the weekend, courtesy of someone’s very kind act, I have been introduced (not literally you understand), to Jack Johnson. Who? Where have I been? True to form, I have done my research, most of it you lot probably know anyway. Having said that, this trio of handsome American musicians remain pretty much elusive when it comes to info on the band’s history. What I can tell you is that the band is made up of Jack on vocals, guitars and piano, Merlo on bass, with Adam Topal sorting out the drums and percussion. I can only assume that they’ve been going for around 5 years or so, based on the fact that Brushfire Fairytales, their debut album, was released in 2000. Subsequent albums are On and On and Inbetween Dreams. Jack Johnson himself grew up in Oahu, Hawaii, learning guitar at 14, and later making surfing films, and his influences include Nick Drake, The Beatles, A Tribe Called Quest, Radiohead, Otis Reading and Bob Marley. So just a few unknowns then. With influences like that to live up to, you may expect someone to fail, but oh no, not this fella.
From the first track, Inaudible Melodies, I was immediately seduced by Johnson’s soothing, entrancing, warm, honey-like vocals, and this feeling stayed with me thoughout this 13-track (or 15-track if you have the “bonus” live tracks) album of amazing acoustic ballards. I really can’t find one bad song.
- Jack Johnson
- Brushfire Fairytales (2002)
- Category: Album
- Label: Universal / Island Records
- Reviewed by: Rachel
- Published on: 01 Aug 2005
- Comments: 1
- Beat Surrender Rating:
Weblinks
Add to favouritesThe tracks with upbeat, fun tempos, such as Middle Man, Posters, Bubble Toes and Mudfootball (the latter of which strangely makes me want to don a grass skirt – now there’s an image you don’t need) keep the album flowing, preventing it from becoming too melancholic. Steel drums and slide guitar, courtesy of Tommy Jordan and Ben Harper respectively, make a cameo entrance in Flake, and Sexy Plexi is just that – sexy and moody with just a hint of Marley’s reggae influence apparent.
Fortunate Fool, a beautiful, hypnotic, classic acoustic ballad, is my favourite track of the album, and just has to be listened to over and over. The slow, whistpering tones of The News and F-Stop Blues slow down the beat, and Losing Hope and It’s All Understood provide a dark and deep side to the album.
This is not what I know. It’s not indie, or house or whatever. It’s not entirely jazz, or blues, or folk, or country. But it’s new to me and I’m grateful for the introduction to it. It’s something that I’ve never heard before and it’s capable of triggering alternating feelings of warm elation and subdued meloncholy.
An Amazon review describes the music of Jack Johnson as “folk and blues inflected pop”. I’d describe the simplistic beauty of this mellow, laid-back music, with strong but subtle lyrics, as the kind of music that makes me want to watch the sun set from a deserted beach – it’s magic.
Have your say...
Comment Permalink | Mike said:
May want to try and get hold of Pete Murray’s, ‘Feeler’ album. Basically, he’s an Australian Johnson. In his home country he has been extremely successful. Similar soft indie style, though maybe in slightly more of a pop culture.
Comment Guidlines
You must be logged in to post a comment. Go Login or Register first.
We waffle on enough without letting you lot do it too. Comments are limited to 300 characters.
Try and keep on topic if you can and no insulting the contributors. All hate mail can be addressed to Kev.