Jack has released 3 solo records (Brushfire Fairytales, On & On and In Between Dreams), and contributed to a number of Soundtracks including Curious George, ABrokedown Melody, Thicker Than Waterand September Sessions. These albums have sold over 15 million copies worldwide.
Sleep Through The Static was produced by JPPlunier, who was the producer of Jack’s first album Brushfire Fairytales.
Jack’s band consists of long time members Adam Topol (Drums) and Merlo Podlewski (Bass), and Zach Gill (Keys) who joined the band during the tour to support In Between Dreams.
Jack is also a filmmaker and made the surf films September Sessions and Thicker Than Water with The Malloys.
The Album was recorded 100% on Solar Energy.
01. All At Once
02. Sleep Through The Static
03. Hope
04. Angel
05. Enemy
06. If I Had Eyes
07. Same Girl
08. What You Thought You Need
09. Adrift
10. Go On
11. They Do, They Don't
12. While We Wait
13. Monsoon
14. Losing Keys
To Whom it May Concern:
My friends and I have just finished recording a new album called Sleep Through the Static. At this point in my life I weigh about 190 lbs and my ear hairs are getting longer. I also have a couple of kids. My wife popped them out, but I helped. Some of the songs on this album are about making babies. Some of the songs are about raising them. Some of the songs are about the world that these children will grow up in; a world of war and love, and hate, and time and space. Some of the songs are about saying goodbye to people I love and will miss.
We recorded the songs onto analog tape machines powered by the sun in Hawaii and Los Angeles. One day, JPPlunier walked into the studio and told us, “It has been 4 to 6 feet and glassy for long enough,” and so we gave him a variety of wind and rain as well as sun and so on. And Robert Carranza helped to put it all in the right places.
After inviting Zach Gill to join Adam Topol, Merlo Podlewski, and myself on our last world tour, we decided to make him an official member of our gang. So our gang now has a piano player, which probably makes us much less intimidating, but Merlo, our bass player, is 6’3” so we are still confident.
All of these songs have been on my mind for a while and it is nice to share them.
I am continually grateful to my wife who is typing this letter as I dictate it to her.
I hope you enjoy this album.
Mahalo for listening,
Jack Johnson
01. Upside Down
02. Broken
03. People Watching
04. Wrong Turn
05. Talk of the Town*
06. Jungle Gym**
07. We’re Going to be Friends
08. The Sharing Song
09. The 3 R’s
10. Lullaby***
11. With My Own Two Hands****
12. Questions
13. Supposed to Be
*featuring Kawika Kahiapo
**featuring G. Love
***featuring Matt Costa
****featuring Ben Harper
Faced with the task of giving a voice to a central character that does not speak, Universal Pictures turned to Jack Johnson to craft songs that could provide a voice for Curious George. As a new father, it presented an opportunity to make an album for parents and children. Presented with early animations and the story line, Jack crafted new songs that captured the emotions of Curious George as he leaves the jungle to follow the Man with the Yellow Hat. He also turned to friends Ben Harper, G. Love and Matt Costa to contribute songs that might bridge the gap between parent and child.
01. Better Together
02. Never Know
03. Banana Pancakes
04. Good People
05. No Other Way
06. Sitting, Waiting, Wishing
07. Staple It Together
08. Situations
09. Crying Shame
10. If I Could
11. Breakdown
12. Belle
13. Do You Remember
14. Constellations
Jack Johnson: vocals / guitars
Adam Topol: drums / percussion
Merlo Podlewski: bass
Zach Gill: piano on “Good People” and “Sitting, Waiting, Wishing” / accordion on “Belle”
All songs recorded @ The Mango Tree, Hawaii, October 2004
Produced by Mario Caldato, Jr.
Mixed and Engineered by Mario Caldato, Jr and Robert Carranza
Mastered by Bernie Grundman
Cover Photo By Thomas Campbell
Additional Photos by T. Campbell and Dave Homcy
Art Direction and Design by Dave Lively and Jeff Motch
01. Times Like These
02. The Horizon Has Been Defeated
03. Traffic in the Sky
04. Taylor
05. Gone
06. Cupid
07. Wasting Time
08. Holes to Heaven
09. Dreams Be Dreams
10. Tomorrow Morning Comes
11. Fall Line
12. Cookie Jar
13. Rodeo Clowns
14. Cocoon
15. Mediocre Bad Guys
16. Symbol In My Driveway
Jack Johnson (vocals/guitar)
Adam Topol (drums/percussion)
Merlo Podlewski (bass)
All songs written by Jack Johnson, except “Wasting Time” by Johnson/Topol/Podlewski
Produced by Mario Caldato, Jr.
Mixed & Engineered by Mario Caldato, Jr. and Robert Carranza
Mastered by Bernie Grundman
Recorded at the Mango Tree, Hawaii (studio built by Trent Johnson)
Art Direction and Design by Dave Lively
Cover Photo by Scott Soens
Additional Photos by Kim Johnson, Danny Clinch, and Kelly isle