From the Vault...

06/23/2019
#1678

info
Jack Johnson
"Brushfire Fairytales"


© Enjoy Records

Year of Release: 2000
Rating:

track listing
  • Inaudible Melodies
  • Middle Man
  • Posters
  • Sexy Flexi
  • Flake
  • Bubble Toes
  • Fortunate Fool
  • The News
  • Drink The Water
  • Mudfootball
    (For Moe Lerner)
  • F-Stop Blues
  • Losing Hope
  • It's All Understood

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    Jack Johnson
    "Brushfire Fairytales"



    Jack Johnson -- Four #1 albums, his musical style (in my opinion), is tropical, quirky, happy-go-lucky. His music was first introduced in 2001, with his debut album, Brushfire Fairytales. From it, "Flake" was the first hit. But it was "Bubble Toes" that got my interest. This song, (and many others on this album), has a happy-go-lucky style, and you can't help but sing along with his "La-da, da-da, da's" on "Bubble Toes," This song would have to be my favorite, next to "Flake." (An interesting note: Bubble Toes is the name of Johnson's Publishing company.) Brushfire Fairytales started it all for Jack Johnson, and quite frankly, if this album doesn't get you out of a rut, what album would it be? His music is labeled as reggae (definitely heard on his debut), hip-hop (really?) and soca (tropical). All of these styles (especially those of reggae and soca, gives you a warm, sunny feeling.


    Jack Johnson's humble beginnings began as a surfer, being the son of well-known surfer Jeff Johnson. (Surfer: surfing on the beach.) He started learning surfing at age 5, and became the youngest in the Pipeline Masters finals. Unfortunately, one week later, a surfing accident resulted at the Pipeline, as more than 150 stiches were placed in his forehead, and the loss of teeth. His song "Drink The Water" (from Brushfire Fairytales was the inspiration for this song.) He would return to surfing in the 1994 movie, The Endless Summer II. He would graduate with a bachelors in Film Studies. He directed and starred in the surf films Thicker Than Water (2000), and The September Sessions (2002). His musical background was playing guitar at age 8, and songwriting at the age of 12.


    Brushfire Fairytales has some great laid-back, sunny-feeling tunes. The first track, "Inaudible Melodies" is relaxing and loose. If you're familiar with his song "Bubble Toes," there are songs that compares to that, such as "Middle Man," "Drink The Water," "Mudfootball (For Moe Lerner)." (Moe Lerner was a family friend, who had passed away, during the time Brushfire Fairytales was being recorded.) Reggae music is best to compared to other tracks: "Posters," yet I don't really classify it as actual Reggae; it sounds more like Tropical music. (Is there a difference? Maybe, maybe not.)


    Laid back, cool, sunny, happy-go-lucky has "Sexy Flexi," "Fortunate Fool," "The News." Another impressive track is the more Blues feel of "F-Top Blues" It does have the word "Blues" in its title...


    But the last two tracks are probably the least, as the album starts winding down to its finish -- "Losing Hope" and "It's All Understood."


    Brushfire Fairytales by Jack Johnson is a very good album. It's easy to listen to, with it's laid-back approach, and comfortable sunny-type atmosphere. It's a good album to relax by the sun. Another album, To The Sea was reviewed here on this site, and it reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. However, this particular album wasn't as great as his debut. Brushfire Fairytales started it all for Johnson, and it is a highly recommended debut. For a good, relaxing listen, Jack Johnson's debut is a great way to start the day, or even if you're a little down for the count. This album will give you a warm feeling, enough to take away the not so good feelings you just may be having.


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    Previous Review: #1677
    Isaac Hayes--The Isaac Hayes Movement
    Next Review: #1679
    Andy Russell--Themes Only For Lovers