Customer Reviews

On And On

5 star:		(139)
4 star:		(41)
3 star:		(13)
2 star:		(7)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

On And On is a trouble-free album. Unlike Brushfire Fairytales, you can put it on and just let it play through without ever losing a beat. Jack's debut allowed you to skip around to your favorites, while, again, this one is rather straightforward and easygoing. So if you are looking for another "Flake" or even a "Bubble Toes", you won't find it here. But what you will find is 16 respectable tunes that, in all, appear to take Jack's musical talents, both lyrically and musically, to a new level. I have read numerous reviews for On And On. Some seem to prefer this release, while many others see it as a small step down from Brushfire. Well... I think this is certainly a step down from the days of "Inaudible Melodies", but it's certainly a worthwhile album.

1. Times Like These - 5/5 - modest opener, boasting the title track over and over. A bit short, but still awesome.

2. The Horizon Has Been Defeated - 3/5 - saw this live on Lettermen, wasn't too impressed. It doesn't match up to "Flake" (sorry).

3. Traffic In The Sky - 3.5/5 - decent, with a chorus that makes up for (seemingly) simplistic music.

4. Taylor - 5/5 - this one seems to be many people's favorite. I can't argue that. The fact it's a little longer than previous tracks makes it stand out. Plainly brilliant.

5. Gone - 5/5 - shortness aside, you have to love the lyrics here: 'gone be the birds when they don't wanna sing'.

6. Cupid - 2/5 - way too short. Come on now.

7. Wasting Time - 3/5 - very good lyrics aren't represented too well by a beat similar to "The Horizon Has Been Defeated".

8. Holes To Heaven - 3.5/5 - a bit reminiscent if BF's latter tunes; manages to distinguish itself rather nonchalantly. Cool.

9. Dreams Be Dreams - 3/5 - too similar to "Wasting Time". Otherwise, decent.

10. Tomorrow Morning - 4/5 - a definitive step up from the previous four songs, but still zilch compared to "Times Like These" and/or "Taylor".

11. Fall Line - 3.5/5 - a nice little ditty that brings back (pleasant) memories of Brushfire Fairytales.

12. Cookie Jar - 4.5/5 - a little less notorious and relative than "The News", but still excellent as far as its lyrics and, overall, music.

13. Rodeo Clowns - 3/5 - more fast-paced lyrics make for yet another (somewhat) adequate track.

14. Cocoon - 5/5 - amidst the others, somehow, "Cocoon" manages to stand out. The intensely laid-back melody and suspicious lyrics make for a classic song.

15. Mediocre Bad Guys - 2/5 - the only highlight here might be (exaggeration) the fading wave sounds going into...

16. Symbol In My Driveway - 5/5 - ...the perfect closer. It might not be as good as "It's All Understood", but it wraps up On And On just as well as its predecessor. Without this tune, the album would've been greatly lacking. Awesome.

My main problem with On And On, aside from the fact that many of the songs sound too alike, is the fact that many of them don't make it far past two minutes. In that short of time, it's hard for a song to do much. The only real shorty from Brushfire was "The News", which was still able to establish itself as one of the best songs on the album (in just 2:28). As I've said, On And On offers up a new Jack Johnson feel that is preferably more hit than miss. But alas, a couple of songs here just don't cut it (i.e. "Cupid", "Mediocre Bad Guys"). There are definitely some stand-out tracks, like "Times Like These", "Taylor" and "Gone", but overall you have to appreciate the calm, collective surf feel that the entire album provides for you. Enjoy it for what is it, but know what you enjoy beforehand.

After Brushfire Fairytales, Jack Johnson has rapidly integrated himself into a list of my favorite artists, which include Dave Matthews and other such performers. I had been counting down the days until this Cd came out and I bought it the morning it came out. The CD is great. It is more mellow than his first release. The music is great. Jack is great ont he guitar and some of the beats the three performers create are fantastic. The only place that it falls short in is the song-writing. The lyrics aren't as great as they were on his first album. Several songs, such as "Cookie Jar" stand out for lyrical meaning, but songs like "The Horizon had been Defeated," while fun to listen to, lack mosr dpeth in the lyrics and it reaches a state of funkiness with lyrics like "thingamajigsaw puzzle." This isn't a bad thing though. Th album is very enjoyable to listen to and I would reccomend it to anyone who wants a good CD to chill to. Some standout songs include "Taylor," "Wasting Time," "Rodeo Clowns" and "Mediocre Bad Guys." In all, this CD is much more mellow than "Brushfire fairytales" and the music is much more intoxicating, but the lyrics don't pack as much of a punch as they did on "Brushfire Fairytales." It is still a great album by an artist who is sure to evolve into a favorite among many.

Jack Johnson's On And On is a great CD to just chill and listen to. Has great guitar and vocals throughout the whole CD, not just a few good songs like most. My favorites are Gone, Taylor, Holes To Heaven, and Wasting Time. Also, most of the lyrics on his songs hit deep and actually mean something. I would recommend this album to anyone who likes Ben Harper, John Mayer, or OAR. They all have that mellow and laid back vibe.
1. Times Like These-great song, i love the verses in the song, not a great chourus
2.Horizon Has Been Defeated-great sound, not great lyrics but good to listen to
3.Traffic in the Sky-one of my favorite songs on the album, I believe that many people who wanna mellow out will enjoy this.
4.Taylor-great guitar, decent lyrics, one of my faves and shows a good message if you pick up the subtext
5.Gone-in my opinion the best song on the CD, great lyrics and decent music
6.Cupid-good song not my fav but still good
7.Wasting Time-decent sound but GREAT lyrics i love how he points out "Everybody else"
8.Holes to Heaven-good guitar, good lyrics, good vocals, good bass, and good percussion, all around good song
9.Dreams Be Dreams-like this song because I think Jack shows your part of himself and what he is feeling
10.Tomorrow Morning-starts kinda slow but still a good mellow out song
11.Fall Line-again not one of my faves but still easy to listen too
12.Cookie Jar-nice'n slow
13.Rodeo Clowns-a little more upbeat kinda reminds me more of ben harper with a little less bongo
14.Cocoon-very slow and a nice chorus
15.Mediocre Bad Guys-doesnt sound like typical Jack Johnson but I love the chourus
16.Symbol in my Driveway-good way to end a CD and I think its a nice song
Anyone I have ever entroduced this CD to has loved it. No matter the age, sex, race, or anything everyone from my dad to some of my friends we all love it and I would reccomend it to ANYONE

Fab....the perfect album for the perfect summer....listened to this the whole time I was travelling Canada....great times!

this cd is mello and relaxed but at the same time it is interesting and ear catching and it is great for repeated listening. it has a simplistic style that cannot be touched is is by far the greatest thing i have heard in a long time.
im going to go see them in tahoe in august and i can not wait!!!

when jack johnson's audience turned the corner from cult surfing followers to AAA radio america, he didn't change anything and that, right there is a positive. regardless of genre, whenever that corner gets turned on its preverbial head, the music changes - mostly for a poppier and more horid direction. so congrats to jj for staying away from the trap. however, just because he stayed away from the trap, does not validate the critical calls of "classic!"

cries of deep lyrics are pseudo back handed. when compared to many of his contemporaries, songs like "cookie jar" may hold some weight, but overall this album still enduces those frat boy party mentalities. which, in all honesty, is the audience around the corner - doing a keg stand. it still remains that the height of lyricism remains from the hungry unknowns. if the minimalistic acoustic driven rock is your fancy and you need some lyrics worth a second thought, my you might want to check out Blue-Eyed Son's "West of Lincoln." i heard "The Tide" on a local college station and at first was appauled that his voice reminded me so much of Elliott Smith, but all was soon forgotten with the catchy hooks and wonderful melodies. i broke down and bought the CD and was happy. And if you're reading this review, you might want to think of turning another artist's corner - or at the very least, checking it out.

there are positives to say about mr. johnson. sure, you throw it on at a party and the guy pouring the shots at the ice luge might hit you with a double b/c of his fascination with this surfing/acoustic ape of an artist. but please, don't fool yourself into thinking that this is some of the greatest song writing of the last century, its not even the best over the past five years.

Jack present wisely how minimalist music can be extraordinary.

Bought this album on a whim. It usually takes awhile to really appreciate an album, but this was immediately likeable. I put it on at a party and everyone kept asking me who was playing. Several party-goers bought it the next day. It was enjoyable to listen to without being overbearing or depressing. Just smooth, acoustic and very well played. Great to listen to by the pool as well!

this is the ultimate cd to bring with you when you go to the beach or are just looking for something good to listen to. i love it when i can get a cd and not skip a track on it, and love evry minute of it! buy it now!

I was very skeptical when people kept telling me I needed to check out Jack Johnson's music. Usually, I don't take it as a good sign when the masses flock to something, but good grief, this is a fantastic album.

Lyrically, he touches on some serious themes like in "Holes to Heaven" and "Cookie Jar." However, it isn't preachy or anything, which is a big plus. I also like the minimal instrumentation: acoustic guitar, bass and drums. Nothing flashy or big and fancy. It's like party music with substance. Jack Johnson, while not sounding like Dave Matthews is what I kind of wish Dave Matthews was. Low key instrumentation with some heady subject matter and then a bunch of good time songs.

You can tell from the music that Johnson is someone that grew up around the ocean. It's just so laid back and summertime feeling. You can also hear traces of Hawaiian music in his otherwise original style.

I can't recommend this highly enough.