CAUTION: Very Talented Artist On The Loose.

Okay, so I’m driving to the grocery store and this brilliant beat echoes through my speakers. I turn it up. I can feel the bass…I can feel the lyrics…it surges into my body and I become engulfed in the song. I start thinking where I’ve heard the voice…I know I have, but I just can’t place it. It’s not Eagle Eye Cherry…it’s not Ben Harper and the Innocent Criminals. “Who IS this?” I find myself about to drive off the side of the road as I rummage around for an old receipt and a pen so I can jot down some lyrics for fear that the DJ won’t let me in on the artist (that’s the most annoying thing ever). Finally the song ends and I return to concentration on the road…the DJ says “That was Jack Johnson with Flake.” “Jack Johnson,” I scream, “Of course!!!”

I doubt many of you are familiar with G Love and Special Sauce, but if you are…you know the song Rodeo Clowns…it’s an awesome song. You all should download it. Anyways, Jack Johnson was helping them out one day, and he recorded the lyrical part to the song, so that’s where the voice was from! It all was so clear. I had to get this guys CD. He’s amazing. Simple as that. Recently I have found myself getting into really obscure groups…like O.A.R…Big Head Todd and the Monsters…and now Jack Johnson. They aren’t exactly the most popular groups…but they certainly should be. Okay, so I rush to Border’s Books and Music to pick up the CD. I get it! And what do I think, well let me tell you…

INAUDIBLE MEMORIES

Starts out with a nice acoustic guitar sound…adds some drums, gets the rhythm down, makes you move your head a little. First words “Brushfire Fairytales”…obviously the title track. It’s pretty slow, but the kind of song you want to close your eyes to and just feel it out. And that’s exactly what I did.

About a minute and a half into it, it picks up a little bit more speed, and I start to notice that these lyrics are spectacular…and his voice is so soothing.

Rating: 5 out of 5…this song is quality.

MIDDLE MAN

Pretty heavily bass in the beginning, and then the guitar comes in(reverse of the first song)…. This one I can definitely pick up the sound of Rodeo Clowns. Pretty quick lyrics and then it smoothes out with the instruments. Another one where you just gotta close your eyes and feel it. Some steel drums kick it up a notch and all of a sudden, your shoulders start going with your head.

Rating: 5 out of 5…this song kicks.

POSTERS

Nice tempo. Kind of sounds like you’re there. Again, fast lyrics, but not SO fast that you’re like…why is this guy rapping. It’s soothing.

Rating: 4 out of 5…nice, but not the best on here.

SEXY PLEXI

This one’s very suave. That’s all I have to say. Great sound. Great music. Catchy tune. Make-out song.

Rating 5 out of 5…feel like you’re in another world.

FLAKE

Come on, must I describe this one again? It’s AWESOME.

Rating: 7 out of 5…doesn’t get much better than this one.

BUBBLE TOES

This is kind of John Mayer-ish. It has got slow, sweet lyrics. Picks up a little pace 50 seconds through…and it turns into a totally original sound… and makes you turn it up to groove.

Rating: 6 out of 5…one of my favorites next to Flake

FORTUNATE FOOLS

Slow…very depressed sounding in the beginning…obviously a love song. “She knows the world is just her stage, so she’ll never misbehave. She gives thanks for what they gave her and they practically made her into a mmm hmmm mmmm…fortunate fool.” I think it’s basically him singing about how incredible this girl is. Makes you think of an older song, good, clean, nice slow dancing tune.

Rating: 5 out of 5…very sweet.

THE NEWS

mmm…Such a nice lullaby. If you were sad…this one would be something you’d listen to and cry while clutching your glass of wine…and eventually fall asleep to.

Rating: 5 out of 5…sleep tight.

DRINK THE WATER

Dave Matthews says Don’t Drink the Water, he doesn’t. He says go for it. This song’ll make you snap your fingers. Blends great with the rest of the CD.

Rating: 5 out of 5…of course hehe.

MUDFOOTBALL

Pretty upbeat for this CD. It’ll wake you up from listening to The News.

Rating: 5 out of 5…a nice break.

F-STOP BLUES

Slow again, but you can just FEEL the lyrics. If you aren’t convinced by now, you gotta just get on Kazza or something and download something.

Rating: 4 ½ out of 5…feel it.

LOSING HOPE

Pretty heavy tune…the closest to Eagle Eye Cherry on here…but still takes on a life of it’s own. Very nice sound.

Rating: 5 out of 5… period.

IT’S ALL UNDERSTOOD

Sounds like you’re in church in the opening…almost morbid. Sounds like someone died…but then lightens up. It’s a very nice ending to this terrific CD.

Rating: 4 out of 5… Buy it.

All righty, if you haven’t gotten the hint by now…you’re crazy! This is a CD everyone should mellow out to. I got it for $12.99 at Border’s. Go get it!