MUSIC REVIEW: ‘In Between’ The perfect prelude to Spring Break
Everything has its opposite. Happy and sad, big and small, the bitter cold of Logan winters and the new Jack Johnson album.
With his 2001 debut “Brushfire Fairytales,” Johnson created a laid-back style that was hard to categorize. His follow-up, “On and On,” was even more polished and popular. With his new release, “In Between Dreams,” he delivers more of what his fans have come to crave.
Adam Topol and Merlo Podlewski are both on board again to provide a solid rhythm section, and “On and On” producer Mario Caldato Jr. makes the songs shine with light production and low-key arrangements. While it’s not breaking any new ground, “In Between Dreams” is another disc of sunny Summer anthems that will bring a smile to your face. And, so long as Jack Johnson can continue delivering albums of convincingly sincere and catchy pop, he doesn’t need any reinvention.
The lyrical fare of the new album oscillates between the unabashed love themes of pop songs and the social commentary that graced earlier tracks like “Cookie Jar” and “The News.” The first single, “Sitting, Waiting, Wishing,” is classic Jack Johnson, with a breezy melody and the breakfast table wisdom of lines like “I’m learning that loving somebody don’t make them love you.”
Johnson continues his genre hopping on this album, even exploring bossa nova on “Do You Remember.” But, even with all of the pop, hip-
hop, blues, and bossa nova, fans will instantly recognize the easy groove that is his trademark. The whole album is a fairly upbeat affair, and its ability to lend itself to every good moment makes it the perfect Spring Break companion.
“In Between Dreams” is the solution for all of those who just can’t wait another two weeks for spring. And, for the rest of you, this is great “dance in front of your mirror” music. Come on, we all know you do.
Zach Pendleton is a junior majoring in English and reviews music for the Utah Statesman. Comments may be sent to zpendleton@cc.usu.edu