I loved "Brushfire Fairytales" when it first came out, and "On and On" was a great follow up. But I feel like he's only gone downhill since then. I think this is, in part, due to the fact that first couple of albums were written without much pressure. He learned guitar and started writing music while recovering from facial injuries sustained in a surfing accident. He just made Brushfire Fairytales and handed it out to friends. After "On and On", each successive album has sounded more forced to me. I guess I'm also a little biased against him now because his fan base consists mostly of people who wait for the radio to tell them what's good. His shows get the same kind of crowd that Dave Matthews gets. Not exactly my bag. But I still like to go back and listen to the first two albums...especially when I'm out on a boat in the summer time.

Alright! I got a response!!

You know what, I am the same way. Thanks to G. Love a few of us were able to hop on the Jack wagon a loooong time ago. The biggest thing that turned me on was the fact that it was such simple music. I don't really agree with the crowd comment and Dave Matthews. Obviously that is not the first time anyone has said that about a DMB crowd. I just have never understood why people link the music and the crowd that it draws. It's not really their fault that people like their music. I can however, respect that somebody might not want go to a show becuase of the crowds....that I can understand, but is it something that stops you from liking the music?

But, back to the subject... Brushfire is a great album that still gets heavy rotation in the iPod

So stoked for this album. Being a G-love fan of almost 15 years, and a transplanted surf-rat to Indy via San Diego, Jacks musical prowess had me at hello.

I know a lot of albums can get that forced sound, but I really never got that vibe from J.J. All his tunes come from his soul, and you can hear it...Just because the sound of whats going on inside of him isn't always the same, doesn't mean he's forcing it, but that he's in a different place internally...

s.h.

I had heard of JJ from an ex-coworker who actually mentioned his song "Flake" in a "man on the street" assignment I had with INtake. I didn't actually hear any of his music until I popped in the Curious George DVD for my son and caught the excellently catchy "Upside Down."

I immediately got a bunch of his songs, and fell in love with "Banana Pancakes," "Flake," "Fortunate Fool," and a few other songs. I just bought "If I had Eyes" off of iTunes around Christmas time.

Anyway, who knew that, once again, quite literally, a baby introduced me to good music. He also got me hooked on Johnny Cash music (or I him).

I think my son is some sort of musical prodigy. From the time he was about six months old (and I'm not making this up), whenever he was in the car with us and crying, Johnny Cash never failed to quiet his wails. He sat there transfixed listening to "Ring of Fire," "Hurt," or "Folsom Prison Blues." Nothing else worked (and we tried a bunch of things, but as soon as we returned to JC, he stopped crying immediately.

So, I got it this morning before I went to work. Thank you iTunes. I checked out what I could during my 20 minute drive, so I haven't really got my grip on it yet. I planned on listening to it at work, but that has not really worked out for me either. From what I have heard though, it sounds decent. I haven't gotten to any higher paced tunes, mostly slow, easy flowing jams. Regardless, it probably won't blow my mind, but I wasn't expecting that anyway, but it will grow on me over time. They always do....

I'm getting the cd after work! I have been a fan for a long time now. I also disagree about not liking an artist because of the crowd that follows them. I liked Jack Johnson before he was mainstream and I still like him.

I won't even go to a Dave Concert again because the last one I went to, a high school girl threw up on me. Nice....

AHHH MAN!!! VERY NICE!!! I've seen a million things like that happen in the lawn. It just amazes me how uncontrollable people get at shows like that. I know when I say this I'll sound like a concert snob, but it's the truth, what happened to you is the only reason I sit in the pavilion for DMB shows. We have even been lucky enough to score front row in 2006 from the warehouse lottery. Usually we are in the upper, center stage, but it really beats getting puked on!