CD Review

Long before singer-songwriter, surfer, artist, and filmmaker Jack Johnson hit it big with Brushfire Fairytales and On and On, Johnson was a recent film grad with sights set on the big screen rather than the performance stage. Capturing the pure essence of the surfing experience, Johnson transformed his vision of the beach lifestyle onto film– winning screen awards, soon to be followed by his book of catchy low-key soulful folk becoming discovered.

Not to be confused with its soundtrack follow up The September Sessions, Thicker Than Water serves as Jack Johnson’s coming out party – as filmmaker and musician. Although the film is defined as a collection of images and memories hauled in for an eighteen month journey through the North Atlantic, South Pacific and the Bay of Bengal; Johnson’s music plays a small part in this compilation featuring ten different artists. Thicker Than Water is a mood piece first and foremost; it is one that permeates with fresh waves, campfires, star filled skies, and the easy-going Jack Johnson lifestyle.

With ten different artists on different tracks, there is a smart array of diversity that blends accordingly with the oceanic vibe. Finley Quayle’s sunny rock reggae on "Even After All" soothe, while G Love’s rag mop harmonica wailing on "Hobo Blues" is a toasty complement to the surfing highlight reel. Johnson’s solo version of "Holes To Heaven" follows his more abstract acoustic narrative "The Cove." The Meters "Liver Splash" showcases a funky homage to surf-guitar king Dick Dale, while G Love lets it all hang out on "Honor and Harmony. " But it’s the cool harmonies on "Rainbow" a duet featuring G Love and Johnson, that reminds us to just take a step back, slow down, and just chill out.