Artist: Jack Johnson
Album Title: On and On
Label: Modular
Bones:
Summary: Mr. Johnson lets it ride on sophomore album
Reviewed By: Stuart 'Record Store Guy' McPhee

WARNING: JACK JOHNSON ISN'T THE SAVIOR OF ROCK 'N' ROLL!

Though one shouldn't be that surprised considering the scribes at NME magazine probably don't have the faintest idea who Jack Johnson is. That's because he doesn't have the word 'THE' at the front of his name.

But enough of my slagging of the UK music press for one issue. Jack returns to the music world with On and On, another platter of laid back Sunday afternoon tunes. Using Producer Mario Caldato Jr. (Beastie Boys), Johnson doesn't stray to far from the winning formula of his sleeper debut Brushfire Fairytales, yet does enough to ensure it's not a rehash to delay the old second album curse.

What does surprise me though is the choice of lead single. Whilst 'The Horizon Has Been Defeated' warrants airplay, it doesn't have the immediate impact of say 'Wasting Time' or 'Taylor'. Yet this is a minor quibble on an otherwise strong record.

Johnson's lyrics are simple yet strong and emotive, he doesn't alienate anyone he just speaks his mind. The song 'Cookie Jar' is a good example of that. A sort of follow up to 'The News' (from the first album), 'Cookie Jar' isn't pointing the finger at anybody (Unlike the Beastie Boys or Radiohead) it's pointing the finger at everybody. That's what a peace song is all about.

So like I said, head into this album without hype or religious icon overtones and you won't be duped.