Friday, March 28, 2008



Danny Gotham is a local artist who plays mainly acoustic-folk-blues music. I first heard of him not as an artist, but as a guitar teacher, and I take lessons from him. One week he was unable to make it to lessons for the next two weeks because he would be touring, and gave me a copy of his solo album, Luzerene. Danny Gotham is an amazing guitarist, and really knows what he is doing on the six strings, as well as banjo. I enjoy his album. All the songs are upbeat and cheerful, and it's a great "pick-me-up" when you are feeling down. If you like folk, blues, or The Beatles (he does a cover of Across the Universe!), are looking for some (Really!) good new music, go to your local local music section and pick up Luzerene.


Review by Dan Pungello

Monday, March 24, 2008

Music Review- No Way Out (1997)

Music Review
No Way Out (1997)
Puff Daddy and the Family


1997 was a very important year on the East Coast hip-hop scene. Rapper Notorious BIG had tragically murdered a few weeks before his long-awaited sophomore album, "Life after Death"
Notorious BIG was the leading rapper for Bad Boy Records, which was at the top of the East Coast empire at the time. Sean Combs aka Puff Daddy, the executive producer and founder of Bad Boy, released his debut album, No Way Out, on July 1, 1997 on Bad Boy Records. This album was mostly a group album, with Puff Daddy having a couple of solo tracks. Puff Daddy and the Family consisted of, Puff Daddy, Ma$e, Faith Evans, 112, Carl Thomas, a posthumous Notorious BIG and The LOX; consisting of Styles P, Jadakiss and Sheek Louch.
Puff Daddy earned a Grammy the 1998 Rap Album Of The Year for No Way Out, but it also spawned the classic Bad Boy videos. These videos always had a common theme that influenced the late-90's videos. Many videos featured Puff Daddy and Mase dancing behind bright backgrounds background dancers behind them, which if you haven't seen, you should definetely watch. These videos brought a new meaning to the summer anthem. No Way Out also spawned one of the most expensive videos in history; Victory. This was a tribute to the Notorious BIG, which was the same with perhaps the best track on the album, I'll Be Missing You. This album featured some very underrated rapping from Puff Daddy. My favorite tracks are Victory, I'll Be Missing You, and Been Around The World. I'll give this album an 8 out of 10.



Been Around The World




Victory



Can't Nobody Hold Me Down



Mo Money Mo Problems

Friday, March 21, 2008

Durham Really Does Rock


Durham’s own Bull City plays a beautiful form of alternapunk with a southern flavor. Their 2007 release Guns and Butter is in-between an EP and album—with seven tracks its right between the usual lengths for both. But as I listened to it online over and over, I came to the conclusion that it is completely worth purchasing. Some songs, like “Ford Ranger All American”, throw the Southern-hick-isms at you complete with twang, roaring guitars, and lyrics about cowboy hats, fishing, and American pride. They make me think of tail-gaiting, beer, and ice tea. Sweet, of course. On other songs, though, they bring it back to a more punk vibe but mix it up with beautiful melodies and nostalgic cello (“Game”).

Big sound alternating with soaring sweetness makes this a unique release perfect for driving fast on a twisting country road. This is not just a good “local” band—but a good everywhere band. But, for the local listener it is nice to have some hometown flavor in one’s music collection. If anyone ever asks for proof that “Durham Rocks” (alluding to the sparkly shirts found in Downtown Durham), just point them towards Bull City.

Roman Candle

Roman Candle is a rock band that's local to Chapel Hill, NC. They're thought of as one of the best rock bands of this time. Four guys and a girl, the lead singer a red-headed guy, you can see Roman Candle performing around the triangle if you know where to look. Their songs are clear and realisticly paint pictures of moments and feelings. The steady beats of their songs make them flow well and easy to listen to. "Roman Candle is one of the best, most complete American rock bands to surface in a decade." -The Independent (6-21-06). Whenever I see them they seem nicely familiar. Once, after seeing them play on the green at Southern Village, some friends and I went "backstage" (to the parking lot) to talk to them. (And they gave us pizza!) Pretty much they're very nice and open to talking to fans. As a band they work together nicely and are always taken away by their own music, which is nice for the audience.

Sometimes they play gigs with another local band "Old Ceremony," and members of one band might go on stage to play a song or two with the other band. Roman Candle creates a very laid back, relaxed, comfortable environment filled with their wonderful music... I, as a fan, get taken away every time. The beat gets into my body and I really enjoy myself.
By Sarah Yanuck.



Listen up, we've got a special treat for all you out there today. Based in North Carolina (particularly Durham), members Pierce Freelon, Aden Darity (whom I have the pleasure of knowing by the way), and DJ Pillzbury make up the hip-hop group known as Language Arts. Language Arts has traveled all over the country, performing (as Pierce says) "shows, community workshops, Hip-Hop education seminars, lectures, clubs, festivals - anything we can get our hands on." They have performed with such artists as The Last Poets, Nnenna Freelon (Pierce's 6-time Emmy nominated jazz vocalist mother), Dead Prez, DJ Skaz Digga, and even such names as Grand Master Flash and Maya Angelou. Most of this information was taken from their website. Please visit http://web.mac.com/pfreelon/iWeb/languageartsmusic/Home.html for more.
I don't really know how to put this any other way: These guys are great.  This is my favorite song of theirs', out of the ones I've listened to. Carolina Girl has a great rhythm and lyrics. I especially liked how they incorporated so much NC into it. Some native Tar Heels will definitely enjoy this. But even if your not a Tar Heel, check them out! Peace out.

Wednesday, March 19, 2008

Devendra Banhart plays what can perhaps be best described as freaky-folk. Of the freakiest variety, really. His songs have a psychedelic, positive vibe that makes everyone wish they were wherever he happens to be. He has, in my amateur opinion, mastered the sounds of the hippie movement, and his songs make me want to get up and dance. There’s always an occasion for Devendra. His newest album, Smokey Rolls Down Thunder Canyon is a crazy tie-dyed blur of slow, emotional psychedelic slow dances (Bad Girl), synthetic reggae beats (The Other Woman), piano ballads (Rosa- which is also in Spanish, in which Banhart is fluent) and innovative, provocative pop-rock (Lover). His unusual vocal style tickles your ears and messes with your mindset, while simultaneously making you want to replay it over and over.



Moving People

BUS (Formerly Big Pretty And The Red Rockets), Moving People. BUS is a six-person band that plays everything from catchy pop to political rap to heartache ballads. They feature the usual, guitar, bass, drums, vocals (some beat-boxing), plus some unusuals such as cello, hand drums, and accordion. They have been compared to the Beatles for their lyrics, Bob Marley for their political songs and their reggae beats, and Old Crow Medicine Show for their energy. The third, however, is rarely seen due to the fact that they almost never perform live. BUS can have a sugary, cheerful and very upbeat sound, which shows in their album Moving People, in such songs as High Expectations, The Ballad of Beaverman, and My Bus, My Baby, and My Bike. But occasionally manage to balance it out with political hip-hop (Abe) and some indie rock (Winds of Change).

Yo Mama's Big Fat Booty Band: Now You Know

Album Review of:
Now you Know
By Yo Mama’s Big Fat Booty Band

Track Listing

1. Bob
2. One Day
3. Self Celebration
4. Booty Show
5. Man, There Goes the Band
6. Natural Art
7. Bounce Mart
8. Time Is Now
9. Hey, Man
10. Groove
11. Funk on Friday
12. Now You Know
13. Moving On
14. Respect
15. *Special Transmission* Hop in My Ride

This is a fantastic premier album. It includes a lot of the Booty Band’s best work and until you see these guys live, this album will suffice nicely. Seeing the Booty Band live is a totally different experience and they play a bunch of great songs that are not included in this album, but if you are having a dance party you can just slip this CD in, crank it up and have a good time. My favorite songs off this album are Time Is Now, Funk On Friday, Now You Know, and Booty Show. The Genre of music the Booty Band plays is, well, what they call “Booty.” It’s a cool, groovy mix of Funk, Hard-rock guitar solos, rap style lyrics and an overall sense of “Booty.”


The Old Ceremony: The Old Ceremony

Album Review of:
The Old Ceremony's album:
The Old Ceremony

Track List

1. Shadows 2. American Romeo 3. Ole 4. Pennsylvania 5. Carry the One 6. Out of the Blue. 7. Morning Glories 8. You Left Something Out 9. God Said I Could Have You 10. Late Shift 11. Blood and Oil 12. The Motions

Oh where to start, where to start. The Old Ceremony's self titled album is an absolutely stunning debut album. You couldn't ask for a better debut album. I really hope Old 86's debut album is as good as this one because if it is we have already gotten one of the hardest challenges of the music industry out of the way; getting people to listen. This album includes all of The Old Ceremony's range of sounds including "Pop Noir," rock, and jazz. With catchy tunes and guitar riffs, the amazing forms and lyrics of Django Haskins, the feel you get when you hear that Toccata organ through their rotary speaker, not to mention the highly original guitar solos and of course, the vibraphone! Every note or beat Django, Matt, Josh, Mark, Dan, or Gabrielle make has a profoundly positive effect on the music. Even if you're are really into the vibes on Ole, just listen to everything together for a second and you will hear everything come together in an amazingly complimentary rush of musical bliss, with the twist of a flanger on it also.
Overall an absolutely amazing album that has me really, really craving the third album, which is slated to come out at a Septemberish time.


Music Review: The Dynasty Roc La Familia

The Dynasty: Roc La Familia
Jay-Z (2000)

By 2000, Shawn Carter aka Jay-Z had already cemented his status as one of the top 5 MCs in the 90's. Already releasing 4 albums, Jay-Z had decided to take a different approach to his 5th album, "The Dynasty: Roc La Familia". He decided to bring together La Familia into the Roc-A-Fella supergroup which featured many new artists and producers that weren't as widely known as Jay-Z himself. The new album featured Beanie Sigel, Memphis Bleek, Freeway and Amil and outside of the Roc Family, R. Kelly, Scarface and Snoop Dogg. It also featured production from Rick Rock, The Neptunes, Just Blaze and Kanye West.
Only 3 tracks on the album, including the intro, were solo tracks done by Jay-Z. All the rest had other artists featured and one was even a solo track by Memphis Bleek. The album spawned 3 singles, "I Just Wanna (Give It 2 Me)", "Change The Game" and "Guilty Until Proven Innocent". My favorite tracks on the album were "This Can't Be Life" feat. Scarface and Beanie Sigel and "1-900-Hustler" feat. Beanie Sigel, Memphis Bleek and a debut by Freeway. This album was different from past albums from Jay-Z because it had more a soul sampling sound compared to the heavy-drum style sound in previous albums and of course featured a lot of other artists with different styles and most of all because it kicked off the producing career of Kanye West, which led to his rapping career and put him in a spot right besides Jay-Z as one of the top rappers of this decade. This is a great album, you should definetely buy it.

the Booty Band, baby.

Yo Mama’s Big Fat Booty Band, Now You Know – The booty band consists of a funky soul vibe mixed with hip hop groove, and was designed to make everyone dance, even the most self conscious among us. They have a slap-bass-and-hand-drum beat, and groovy horn section, paired with catchy late-eighties hip-hop style lyrics. Now You Know features well known favorites, such as Funk On Friday, alongside lesser-known stuff like Man, There Goes The Band, and Hop In My Ride. Their music has been self-described as “refreshing in this age of oh-so-serious music because they cut to the core of what great music is all about: having fun and feeling good. The Booty Band captures an energy and seem to get what funk is about. They can be compared to Sly And The Family Stone, however most describe them as better when seen live. 

Tuesday, March 18, 2008

Across The Universe



When I first saw Across The Universe, I was stunned, that a film could be filled with songs in a tribute to a band, and not look crappy. I loved the movie. I went straight home and listened to the soundtrack. It is a somewhat re-imagining of many of The Beatles most popular songs, sung by the characters in the movie. If you were like me and thought that movies that tribute old bands by having the characters in the movie sing the songs during the movie often turned out to be not very quality stuff, then check out this movie and listen to the album (I do suggest watching the movie first, yes), it is a rare deviance on the line, and I loved it, absolutely. On a passing note, the cast for the movie also includes people such as Bono, Eddie Izzard, Joe Cocker, and Salma Hayek. Definitely, a plus in my book.
Joni Mitchell’s Greatest Hits
Review by Sarah Yanuck, March 7, 2008

On the CD are huge, original hits such as Circle Game, Big Yellow Taxi, Chelsea Morning and others. Her style, folk, often favors minor chords, and slightly unusual melodies. This gives her music a very unique flavor. She sings of topics such as the environment (big yellow taxi), love (many songs), life (circle game) and others. Her everyday experiences are what shape her writing, and the lyrics are simple enough that that is clear. Her lyrics are easy to understand, and she shapes her messages creatively with her words.

The beginning of the CD is richest in upbeat songs, as well as in her most famous hits. The end is thicker with slow songs, songs that flow richly or lightly, all obviously coming from a specific worry or sadness.

She sings them in her simple, pretty voice, and often reaches for notes far higher than the rest of the song, and it always sounds good. The song, Both Sides Now, is one of my favorites. It is beautifully written with repititon of melody, chorus and patterns of her poetry.

Joni Mitchell is an incredible songwriter and musician, I highly recommend her music.

The Rogers Sisters rock consciously


The Rogers Sisters‘ (now defunct) only full length album The Invisible Deck could be labeled so many things. Heavy bass and drums, dark lyrics, and eerie guitar create a tense atmosphere that at first seems only concerned with partying but when examined closer is much more occupied with world issues of disease, hunger, money, and lack of social consciousness. Nonetheless, the rhythmic almost synth-like guitars and at times sardonic voices still make you want to dance, thrash, and pogo. Though you are dancing to “I don’t care/ It’s not enough/ I want more/ I won’t share” (Money Matters) don’t let it get you down—we can become slightly more aware of the world’s problems while head banging to this delicious album.

-written by Hannah
Simon and Garfunkel’s Greatest Hits
Review by Sarah Yanuck, March 7, 2008

Simon and Garfunkel’ Greatest Hits is a wonderful collection of songs that range from happy to sad, upbeat to slow and calming. Their music, mostly written by Paul Simon has beautiful, poetic lyrics which are amazing even standing alone. And their melodies are the same way, flowing and interesting. No two songs are the same, each has its own character and rhythm. And yet all of their music has a certain similarity, a flavor of Paul Simon’s that is wonderful.

When I was a baby, and I cried, my parents would turn on Simon and Garfunkel and I would stop crying. I don’t know what about the music I found so calming, but there is something about it which I love. It has a certain truth that not all music has.

Part of that truth is due to how unique their stlye of song-writing is, which kinds of melodies, chords, patterns and rhythms they choose. But though that style of songwritng is what gives their music much of its wonder, I think that most of the truth comes from the lyrics. They give simple statements that seem to capture all of life, or all of a moment. And I, as a listener, can relate to it. In the song, Sound of Silence, near the end, they sing, “and the sign said the words of the prophets are written on the subway wall…” the message is simple, clear and rings very true: the ordinary people are the incredible ones.

The order of the songs on the CD has a nice flow to it. They do a good job of inter-mingling slow songs with upbeat ones, and happy with slow. The album has a definate completeness, because their songs have so much variety.

I highly recommend this CD, I LOVE IT!!!!!!! Simon and Garfunkel are some of my faves.



Going Mainstream (Linkin Park)

MINUTES TO MIDNIGHT
I had heard a lot of Linkin Parks music before this album came out. I was really excited about being able to hear more of their songs. When I first heard a song from this new album it was Given Up it was good. But it wasn’t the same thing as the music that ‘separated them from other bands’. It was more yelling, less rap. It started with a clapping rythem. It was very aggressive. ‘I’m my own worst enemy’ and ‘tell me what the fuck is wrong / with me’ are two quotes from this song. Both are repeated at least twice during the songs duration.
The second song I heard was What I’ve Done, in my opinion, this sounded just a bit different from something Nickelback would play. I like Nickelback though, so I still consider it good. It had great lyrics, defining problems with the environment - mainly Global warming.
Speaking of songs that also defined problems, there was also Hands Held High. Which was a softer song then Given Up, and the lyrics were mainly rap. The chorus was ‘Amen/Amen/Amen/Amen/Amen’. My favorite quote from this song was; ‘My brother had a book he would hold with pride / A little red cover with a broken spine / On the back, he hand-wrote a quote inside / When the rich wage war it's the poor who die’.
There was also The Little Things Give You Away, which defined the entire problem with hurricane Katrina. ‘The levees are breaking’. This song was a nice way to end their album. The lyrics were repetitive, but not to the point where it was just a couple different words in the chorus.
Another good song, even though it was highly repetitive, was Bleed it Out. Its entire chorus consisted of ‘I Bleed it out / Dig it deeper / just to throw it away’. This song, was one of the few songs that resembled something from their older work.
Leave Out All The Rest, was a mediocre song. It was softer, it had a tone to it that showed it had no place between Given Up and Bleed it Out on the Album. Its lyrics were alright, they were saying (in short), ‘please forgive me, only think about the good things – Leave out all the rest’ (not a direct quote). It ended with ‘I can’t be who you are’ which seemed to be powerful simply because of what the song was saying.
In Pieces, is another mediocre song, it has alright lyrics. But it is another soft song, which typically just isn’t my type of music. It was alright for being so quite.
In Between, was probably my least favorite song next to Valentines Day. Both of them, seemed to have no point in them. In Between starts out with ‘let me apologize to begin with’. And Valentines day is about a guy who doesn’t have a date for valentines day.
Shadow of the Day, seems to have no meaning short of a guy leaving his friends and family. Which has already seemed to be a topic they have already addressed at least once, in other albums. The only difference is that those songs are good, this song is just depressing.
Over all I liked the album. The songs that were good were great. However, ten years can change a band. Their first album was seven years ago. It was a type of music that people haven’t heard much of, it was new. Now their songs that gave them so much attention are being thrown away for more mainstream songs.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8sgycukafqQ

~Mickey

The Distant Future



Flight of the Conchords is a comedy band (consisting of two members, Bret McKenzie and Jemaine Clement) from New Zealand. They incorporate many different genres into their songs, such as folk, pop, and even a bit or rap. Most of the time, they're found playing live all over the world (mostly in England and the US), and every once in a while releasing a new album to the public. But a lot of the time, you can see their hit TV show on HBO (a hilarious show with a plot line that also incorporates some of their songs into it), that premiered June 17, 2007 ran for 12 episodes its first season, and now has been picked up for another season due to excelled ratings.
The Distant Future, their third album, was released on August 7, 2007 (coming after Folk The World Tour and The BBC Radio Series: Flight of the Conchords, in 2002 and 2006 respectively). It contains six tracks (three of them Live), totaling 22 minutes and 55 seconds in all. Getting reviews from critics ranging from excellent to good, the album eventually managed to be awarded a Grammy.
I found this to be a pretty good album. With it's low price, it would seem that they would be coming off desperate, but a look on the back reveals only six tracks. Six tracks seems a little low to me, but listening to these songs, what they lack in quantity... they make up for in quality. My favorite track on the CD would have to be Robots (Live), a song aimed not really at us, the human population, per se, but a post-apocalyptic future where robotics beings rule the world (Some people think we're being pessimistic but ummm.. they'll all die... first.). In my opinion, this is one of the only bands, in which I love hearing their songs in the Live format. It seems to add a certain performing flair that these guys get on stage. Personally, I loved this album, and because I love the band so much, I'll probably be buying their next, full debut album(15 tracks), on April 22 when it comes out.

Hankering for some blues-y rock


Black Keys are a guitar and drums duo from Akron, Ohio. I recently purchased their 2006 release, Magic Potion. As the wailing garage blues sound fills the room, I am struck by the sudden urge to go find a sunken sofa in a gloomy basement and writhe with the pain inflicted groove. The relatively simple and repetitive lyrics compliment the instrumental simplicity. Not that they are simple in a bad way—just that there are only three instruments: guitar, drums, voice. They manage to jam a lot of feeling and emotion into it. “Your Touch” is a kind of love song with tearing riffs, squealing guitar, and an amazing pulsing beat. “Flame” is the ultimate song of pain. This album reeks of heartache and tragedy but instead of sounding mope-y or over thought out it has a too cool, bluesy, basement attitude.

-written by Hannah
IV (Godsmack)
This Album is creative, just like all of their other albums. As a band, their not unplugged music is striving closer and closer to metal. Every piece of music on this album has a metallic feel, yet the lyrics aren’t yelling into the microphone. The names of their songs seem to also be repeated over and over in the chorus of each song.
The album starts out with Livin’ In Sin, started out slow. It began with voices of children praying to god. It then begins with a simple rhythm on the guitar. Followed by a quit voice singing, after about two lines, the volume over all raises, the drops.
Speak, is another great song. ‘speak the truth or make your piece some other way’. It has a couple great guitar solos, and very repetitive lyrics. ‘Speak to me, speak the truth’.
Enemy, is probably my favorite song off of the album. This song doesn’t have very repetitive lyrics. It has the best starting line ever: ‘Hey! Oh, Mr. backstabbing son of a bitch.’ I like this song because it is something I would expect from the same band that has done ‘voodoo’.
Shine Down, starts out with a harmonica. Which startled me the first time I saw it, it was unexpected by most bands I listen to – this is one I don’t think I ever would have thought of Godsmack as a band that would even own a harmonica. The only thing I don’t like about this song is the lyrics. They could really use some work here. Its repetitive, and when it isn’t I can barely understand it.
Hollow, is a song that they will put on an unplugged album, if they haven’t already. It is a quieter more melodic song than almost every other song on the album. ‘if I could do it all one more time/I wouldn’t change a thing’. They also have a higher voice repeating some of the lyrics in an echo. This was a great choice because it gives you a hollow feeling.
No rest for the wicked, is like something out of punk rock. They all play really loud, then silence themselves for a line ‘NO REST FOR THE WICKED’.
Bleeding me, starts out with an awesome riff on the guitar. But then the drums start playing, and it just goes down hill from there. The lyrics and the guitar seem to be the only thing in this song that redeems the rest. For the most part, it stays at the same volume and the same tempo for the entire song.
Voodoo Too is the song the originally made me download this album onto my Ipod. I had heard Voodoo (the first), and thought it was really good. This song is totally different. Voodoo had three lines repeated. While this one, almost none of the lines repeat. It starts where the end of the first left off ‘… I’m not the one that’s so far away’. This one is about being drawn to a place full of voodoo. ‘Have you ever wondered why in a dream you can touch a fallen sky?’. There is more guitar and drums in Voodoo too, then in Voodoo.
Temptation is the other main song that has METAL written all over it. It has a guitar solo starting out, then after it… “OOH SHIT”. ‘Now it takes what it takes, and lets the feelin' suffocate. It's nothing new it'll get its way’ It keeps on describing temptation as evil.
Mama is a song talking directly to their ‘mother’. This is not my favorite song on the album. But I will listen to it if it starts to play because of shuffle.
One Rainy Day is my least favorite song on this album. I don’t think I have even listened to it once through. It is just that bad.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQtWj_n2dJk (Voodoo Too)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xS0bJ1_7x00 (The Enemy)

~Mickey

Tuesday, March 11, 2008

They're Even Louder Now (Louder Now, Taking Back Sunday)



^ MakeDamnSure - Taking Back Sunday ^


Taking Back Sunday. They aren't the most well known band, nor are they the best. There songs can sound repetitive, like you're listening to the same song over and over again. Like they put there songs into a copy machine. The r.esult isn't exactly the same, but so similar you can't tell the difference. From album to album, there sound has changed very little. It's the same punk-pop-emo music that everyone's playing now. They're latest album, however, is different. The title fits the album. It's the same photocopy, only enhanced. Now with more screaming.

Now, I never said they're sound was bad. They've got catchy guitar riffs. Lyrics one can relate to. It's just the same every single time. If you want to buy they're music, go ahead. Many of there biggest hits, including Liar and MakeDamnSure, both great songs are on this album. Just don't buy too much. The photocopy quality will degenerate too much.


Review by Dan Pungello, 3-11-08


iTunes: http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewArtist?id=16053322&mt=1&s=143441 (Requires iTunes to load)


YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/takingbacksunday


Official Site: http://www.takingbacksunday.com/

Friday, March 7, 2008

Don't Sleep Through This One! (Sleep Through the Static, Jack Johnson)



^ If I Had Eyes, Jack Johnson ^


If you've listened to Jack Johnson, you know immediately what he, and his music, is about. It's about taking it slow. It's about living for the moment. It's about taking life as it is. His last two albums, as well as the Curios George soundtrack he did, follow this theme, lyrically and musically. His latest album, titled "Sleep Through the Static, follows these themes lyrically, but Jack and friends have done much more in the studio, adding more instruments, including an electric guitar which has not been common in Jack's earlier work. Some of the best songs on the album include the title track, with an upbeat Reggae-inspired baseline, contrasted with a chorus of just Piano and Jack's vocals. Another favorite track is "If I had Eyes," which was the first single. Throughout this song, the rhythm filled with an extraordinarily talented electric with Jack's signature acoustic on top.  All in all, Jack Johnson does a great job keeping his laid back and relaxed sound and feel, but mixing up the instrumentals more than before.


Reviw by Dan Pungello, 3-7-08


iTunes: http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewArtist?id=909253&mt=1&s=143441 (Requires iTunes to load)


YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/jackjohnsonmusic


Official Site: http://www.jackjohnsonmusic.com/