Curious George

Childish. That’s how I would go about describing Jack Johnson’s songwriting style, but that’s not to imply that Jack is simple minded or untalented. Rather, Jack is one of the last classic “good guys.” Virtuous. Innocent. Pure. You gotta wonder what notorious, uppity rock snobs like David Fricke or the late Lester Bangs would think of an artist like Johnson. Keep in mind, these are the same guys who loved Randy Newman yet mocked an artist like Jimmy Buffett at every opportunity. 

On his fourth full-length studio release, Sing-A-Longs and Lullabies for the Film Curious George (or just Curious George), Johnson calls out all his friends, including promising newcomer Matt Costa, old surfin’ buddy G. Love, primary-influence-turned-friend Ben Harper, Zach Gill, Kawika Kahiapo and longtime Johnson band members Merlo Podlewski and Adam Topol. The Newman-esqe “People Watching” is a clever pop song full of wordplay reminiscent of a classic children’s book. As Johnson sings you can almost picture George bouncing around with his joyous smile, likely only to be outdone by the always jovial Johnson himself. I know it sounds stupid, and therein lies the simple genius of a Jack Johnson tune: it lets you be stupid with it.

To go along with other new Johnson standouts like “Upside Down,” “Talk of the Town” and “Supposed to Be,” G. Love contributes his “Jungle Gym,” Costa sings on “Lullaby” and Harper and Johnson team up for a tongue-in-cheek rendition of Harper’s “With My Own Two Hands.” Also impressive are Johnson’s cover of The White Stripes’ “We’re Going to Be Friends” and the reworked children’s classic, “The 3 R’s,” which sees Johnson adapting Dorough’s “Three is a Magic Number” into a song about counting, sharing and recycling - three things any surfer (or child) should embrace before leaving the house.

So it sounds simple and dumb, and thankfully it is. After five Fiery Furnaces albums in four years, listeners need something easy. Give Jack Johnson and his Curious George soundtrack a try. It’s not for everyone, but if you can let your pretensions down Johnson might just surprise you (I’ve seen many a music snob give in; myself included). With his signature blend of pop sensibility and hippie-friendly mini-grooves, Johnson has created yet another breezy, skip-free album of catchy tunes for man, woman, dude or child. Though not quite as rewarding as his previous two studio releases - On and On and In Between Dreams - Sing-A-Long Songs and Lullabies for the Film Curious George is another most satisfactory release from the modern day Randy Newman/hippie hybrid.    7.5/10

Written by G. William Locke