To The Sea - Jack Johnson

Brushfire Records 2010

Track Listing
1. You and Your Heart
2. No Good With Faces
3. At or With Me
4. When I Look Up
5. From The Clouds
6. Turn Your Love
7. The Upsetter
8. To The Sea
9. My Little Girl
10. Red Wine, Mistakes, Mythology
11. Pictures of People Taking Pictures
12. Anything But The Truth
13. Only The Ocean

The lastest album "To The Sea" is dedicated to his father John Johnson. The album artwork consists of Johnson Family photos.

This album is significantly more up beat, both lyrically and musically than "Sleep Through the Static", it being one of his darker pieces. As this is his 5th studio album, Jack shows off his simple flair for proverb-like lines and catchy beats with ease and experience. Once again, he has created something thats easy to listen to, but if you hear it properly, you can take away much more. The magic of Jack Johnson.

The opening track, "You and Your Heart", is also the single release. A more traditional begining for Jack, relying on acoustic instruments and melody. Again with his little insights: "lost the fingernails on your hands, how you gunna scratch any backs" that make me wonder. The scales all through it happen without you noticing and everything just blends seamlessly. Comes with experience.

In "At or with me" the combination of the oh oh's, with perfect lines such as: "dont put your money where you mouth is, baby, we wouldnt want to see you choke", and the distorted electric guitar in the bridge, to the fade down and out to another build with harmonicas and choral voices and instruments. It just sweet.

The electric right from the begining in "From the Clouds" is extremly catchy and continues for the song, splitting and punctuating. We are let into his world a little more, as he adds some personified lyrics, claiming all we have to hold on is love. I really enjoy the fact that song is ended the same way it began, "Ill make you all mine".

"Red wine, Mistakes, Mythologies" is probably my favourite on the album, with the harmonica (and vocal backup from G. Love), percussion, the keys, the well planned lyrics, the sharp acoustic guitar. "The truth is never ending, were just here pretending". Definately a must hear. Whatever I said wouldnt do it's 4mins and 3seconds justice.

"Anything But the truth" brings it back home, with crickets in the backround, honest lyrics and the simple guitar. His understanding of the world will never cease to amaze me. He leaves you questioning "I dont know, that were meant to know". Something I've thought to myself many times.

A much anticipated release and fans will certainly not be let down. Theres some Jack Johnson soul food for the new comers too. Cook yourself some breakfast, make a cuppa' joe, turn it up, and float away.

Pour L'amour

Feeding the Wolves - Josh Pyke
Ivy League Records 2005
























Track Listing

1. Beg Your Pardon
2. Private Education
3. Fill You In
4. Goldmines
5. Middle of the Hill
6. Staring Down the Sun
7. Feeding the Wolves

Josh is relatively new artist in the Sydney Indie scene (since 05), but he's really paved a way for himself, using melody and lyrics to his great advantage.

Aswell as working as a solo artist, he's also a member of "Basement Birds" along with Kevin Mitchell, Steve Parkin and Kav Temperley.


His debut release through Ivy League Records, Feeding the Wolves received quite a bit of attention.

Private Education has simple acoustic melody, and thats what makes it all the more memorable. I really like the fact that lyrics have a double meaning, the reference to private education being costly, but meaning the personal cost, not the monetary one. The ill-obsession with another that just seems to cause you pain, but you hang around anyway..

Goldmines.
Mystery. Deceit. Macabre. Something very questioning about this song. The bridge really gets me in this track "here's only so much a man can take, before crack, crack, crack, cracking in", the scales and the distortion. The clash of the tambourine is the constant, the acoustic runs all the way through, building slowly along with the strings. The strings are very complementary to the vocals.

Middle Of the Hill. The story track which is really quite well composed. Makes me smile everytime I hear it. "I dont pay enough attention to the good things but I gotta".
I enjoy the harmonies, which accentuates some themes like in the " mother knew the words to a lot of different songs" line. I also noticed a onomatopoeia like "knock". The repitition of the riff and lyrics portray reminicence. Simple acoustics with gradual introduction of clapping and percussion makes the song catchy and quick paced.

The song I feel the most affinity for is Feeding the Wolves, the inner demons, the self torturing. Its something that makes you feel so much, but you just have to experience again. His talent for lyrics really shine here. Tone of lyrics as well as the music is melancholy and internally reflective.
Its losing your lover, watching them leave, leaving you to fight the wolves alone.
Its beautifully tragic.



This is a beautiful debut, it definately deserves the rave reviews it recieved upon its release.
An easy listening album, that you'll definately need to hear again.

Pour L'amour

April Uprising-John Butler Trio
Jarrah Records 2010

Track listing

"Revolution" - 5:05
"One Way Road" - 3:06
"C'mon Now" - 2:42
"I'd Do Anything (Soldier's Lament)" - 3:21
"Ragged Mile (Spirit Song)" - 3:57
"Johnny's Gone" - 4:55
"Close to You" - 3:45
"Don't Wanna See Your Face" - 2:43
"Take Me" - 5:01
"Fool for You" - 5:07
"To Look Like You" - 4:19
"Steal It" - 3:43
"Mystery Man" - 3:55
"Gonna Be a Long Time" - 3:46
"A Star Is Born" - 4:35

John Butler Trio have again renewed their image. With the change of band members, the addition of Melbourne drummer Nicky bomba (of BOMBA) and bass guitarist Byron Luiters (of Ray Mann Three), has come this new sound, although it's still as distinct as ever.

The album packs the expected JBT punch, touching on the regular themes of politics, environment and the future of humanity.

"One Way Road", also released as a single is definately a standout with catchy riff and the hip-hop quickness of the lyrics. And its all backed up by the punchy electric "raise your fist if you beleive in revolution".

"Ragged Mile (spirit song)" captured me the first time i heard it, the earthiness which comes from the hand drumming, percussion and echoing of both voices and instruments.

And I love "Don't wanna see your face". Its punchy, catchy and the perfect F* you song, it makes me smile, because more than once in your life, it's going to happen to you.

The destructive passion in "Take Me" caught my attention, as it doesnt just come from the lyrics but eminates from the instruments, twisting and turning, the inner turmoil that bring me back to the track everything.

I was also impressed with the insight of "To look like you", and it's relavance to todays girls. This song it just so beautifully written, I couldnt say it better myself.

And nothing beats an ending like "A Star is Born", a tribute/lullaby to Jahli. Even though emphasis is on the vocals, the acoustic guitar is just beautiful.

A very varied but very much a John Butler Trio album. Definately worth listening to, whether your a JBT fan or not. In the words of JB himself: "maybe they will try and cut me down. and maybe I won't give a fuck".

Also, check out this interview from "The Vine". Gives great insight.

Pour l'amour,