On and On

So much of the current "noise" out there, in my humble opinion, is absolutely void of talent. The record industry has slowly been losing my dollars for years. If I never hear about another boy band or "mouseketeer" making it big in the music industry, it will be a sweet day for sure. American Idol......please.

I heard about Jack Johnson on CNN, of all places. I went to Amazon and listened to a couple tracks and promptly purchased both his CDs. I eagerly await his next offering.

His blend of groove, spirit, and provocative lyrics takes me on a journey every time I listen. I usually wind up gleaning some subtle nuance to his songs that lingers with me throughout the day. His music makes me think while I groove and, for me, that's why I listen to music. He's socially conscious, sensitive, and probably a very cool individual in person.

Buy both his CDs, plop them in the CD player, hit "replay," invite some friends over, and watch the mood mellow to create a memorable evening. You could listen to his music on and on...


Never Pretends   May 8, 2003
Matthew Francis (Los Angeles, CA United States)
30 out of 32 found this review helpful

One would be hard pressed to find Jack Johnson interviewed in the pages of a music magazine going "on and on" about his music being innovative and ground breaking. He knows it's not and, for the most part, his biggest fans know it's not. The thing about Jack is he's good at what he does. He's a passionate singer with a great range, a competent guitar player, and a gifted lyricist. He keeps his melodies clear and simple which allows him to flex the emotions of his voice and allows the listener to explore the depth and weight of his lyrics. Johnson serves as a model for what singer songwriters should be. Simply, "On and On" is a fantastic album. It's much more cohesive than "Brushfire Fairytales" (which, to me, sounded like a collection of singles)and Johnson has finally become comfortable with his sound and mood. Not every track on the album is brilliant, but there's also no throw-away material either. The two songs that frame this album are "Gone" and "On and On." They both reveal Johnson's stoic acceptance of life's complications. Like every great artist, he asks his listener to sit back and ask him/herself what this all means. That's what I like about Jack, his songs don't inspire me to change the world, they inspire me to change myself.


Finding the Hole to Heaven   August 5, 2003
Lee Armstrong (Winterville, NC United States)
23 out of 26 found this review helpful

"On & On" is a great follow-up to "Brushfire Fairytales." The music and arrangements are similar enough to build solidly on the strengths of the first CD, but offers definite lyrical growth. "And there will always be stop & go and fast & slow, action, reaction, sticks & stones and broken bones," he sings on the opener "Times Like These." I have three favorites on the CD. "Taylor" is a perky track with Jack's throbbing rhythm guitar, a lovely melody and a bit darker lyric, "He thinks that singing on Sunday is gonna save his soul now that Saturday is gone." "Holes to Heaven" is another uptempo track with Adam Topol's percussion smashing away juxtaposed to Jack's throbbing guitar. "Bright lights flashing to cover up your lack of soul," Jack sings on the upbeat "Rodeo Clowns." "On & On" is an excellent progression from his first CD, building on the strengths and adding more lyrical depth. He's created set of certain fun. Enjoy!


Highly recommended by a robot   July 4, 2003
Jay Gambol (Manila, Philippines)
16 out of 56 found this review helpful

This is my first hearing of Jack Johnson, whose album I finally bought after Amazon.com's fine recommendations robot kept telling me to go buy this or "Brushfire Fairytales".

This album certainly sets a mellow groove. I plan to see if listening to this and Norah Jones back-to-back will cure my insomnia.

The lyrics are excellent examples of what pass for thoughtful these days, particularly, I suspect, if accompanied by the lady Mary Jane, who brings out the cleverness in everyone, or something.

I heartily recommend this disc to sophomores and juniors in small liberal arts colleges, people of like mind, and Barry Zito.


Confederate of Redundancy   January 7, 2005
China Cat Sunflower
16 out of 63 found this review helpful

Bla bla bla, why don't you stop strumming on your guitar and get a better society serving job? Better yet go back to coasting the waves with all of your surfer dudes brah. On and On is just another example of the perpetual droning ons of musicians who believe they're Totally Righteous living the carefree lifestyle of surfing and guitar playing. YAWN. Frankly as I listened to this unfortunate misuse of plastic I could literally feel the wretched pulls of boredom tugging at the very bottom of my soul. I felt as if I were being reborn into a vegetative state after subjecting my brain-cells to the tired, unoriginal chords that are On and On.

The only appropriate aspect of this album is its title. On and On and On and On this musical tedium seems to go, never releasing my withered eardrums from a constant and unrelenting suffering. Clearly Johnson's drowsy melodies are such because of his lack of his anything interesting to say. The college education my parent's spent thousands of dollars on, began to leak out of my brain after I was spoon fed this scuzz, like the intelligence does from the Ray Ban-wearing, Oakley sporting, Beta - Minus Drones that makes up the intellectually mocking community that is Johnson's fan base.

16 songs of Mr. Johnsons's own personal rants, gripes, and disenchantments with the agonizingly meaningless life of a typical self-absorbed surfer gives me cause to think about what I'm having for lunch, lest I lose it. I'd rather poke my eyes out with 3-inch long poison mandibles than be forced to listen to On and On even once more in this, or any lifetime.