Thicker Than Water [SOUNDTRACK]

Jack Johnson

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 25, 2003)
• Original Release Date: November 25, 2003
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Soundtrack
• Label: Umvd Labels
• ASIN: B0000UX5IY
• In-Print Editions: DVD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (75 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #3,248 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Those who know Jack Johnson only as college radio fave are in for a pleasant surprise here, as are wave-riding aficionados with a taste for eclectic, cooled-out musical vibes. The project Surfer magazine hailed as 2000's Video of the Year was originally a collaboration between surfing champ/then-USC film student Johnson and school colleagues Chris and Dan Malloy. But Johnson also gratifyingly took the opportunity to prove that "surf music" is purely a subjective term; indeed, electric instruments are few and far between here, let alone the traditional buzzsaw licks of such genre stalwarts as Dick Dale and Gary Hoey. Instead, Johnson has stitched together an organically focused, acoustic-centered collection that would seem as welcome on a shady creek bank as a sunny, wave-lapped beach. Johnson offers up an acoustic take of his sophomore album's "Holes to Heaven" and the sprightly instrumentals "Moonshine" and "Cove," while longtime associate G. Love duets on the spare, rootsy "Rainbow." Love and band Special Sauce also contribute the even grittier instrumental "Hobo Blues" and laconic "Honor and Harmony." But its also a collection that ventures as far afield as The Meters' 70's-funky "Liver Splash"., Finley Quaye's spare soul, the folk-raga of Kalyanji/Anadji's "My Guru" and the spacey, haunting "Dark Water and Stars" by Natural Calamity. --Jerry McCulley

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

69 of 77 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not bad, March 22, 2004

By	Andrew D. Dixon Jr. (Jacksonville, Florida United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Thicker Than Water (DVD)

Compared to other surf films being flooded into the market these days, this is not bad. Music is good, footage is good (note: SHOT ON FILM, not video). It was somewhat hard to figure out where they were. We have clear scenery change, but no indicator to tell us where they really were except for the traditional Irish folk music that obviously indicated they were surfing Ireland. Director's commentary is witty and insightful and gives us perspective that few surf films give us and basically provides a good reason to watch it again -- and again. The version of this DVD I purchased in a local surf shop included a second disc; a CD with the soundtrack from the film. Very nice and a unique marketing and packaging idea. It actually convinced me to purchase the package. More importantly, the music is actually good (I was disappointed, though that the Irish folk music used in the film was not included on the soundtrack CD). But as a film, come on, it's only about 45 minutes long (with special feature bonus material, about an hour). It can't possibly be that difficult to compile film to make it last longer than an hour. Anything less than an hour these days, let's face it, is somewhat of a disappointment. Jack Johnson's involvement added to the film, though. Nicely done, let's just have more of it. I'm glad to have it in my DVD collection, though.

75 of 87 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very nice surprise, December 22, 2003

By	Tracy Gray (indianapolis, in United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I picked up this CD on a whim from a local store on a "new releases" rack just because the sepia toned packaging caught my eye. I looked it over and thought "Hmmm, this looks interesting." I put it back down and two days later I went back and got it and I wasn't really sure why other than I was very curious. Especially about the two songs "Underwater Love" and "Thicker Than Water." I have heard of G Love and Jack Johnson, but hadn't heard any of their music before. On first listen I was incredibly pleased at the music on the CD. The song "My Guru" is by now memorized in my head as is "Underwater Love." The song "Thicker Than Water" is really, really beautiful and fills my head with visions of waves and sand and warm air during a dreary and cold Indiana winter. This is the coolest CD I have bought in a long time and came across it by accident. The only problem is now I have to go track down the Smoke City CD's because I am in love with the sound of the lead singer's voice and her vocal stylings. I recommend this CD very highly. It's a great CD to just chill to. You could call it music to nap by, but I prefer to call it music to imagine by. This has become the soundtrack to my daydreams. Try it!!!!

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good stuff..., September 24, 2005

By	j. - See all my reviews

"Thicker Than Water," the soundtrack to a documentary surfing film by Jack Johnson, manages to capture the heart of the laid-back beach style, and also the exoticism of the world's beaches that Johnson explores in the documentary (in the same vein as "The Endless Summer.") A slew of artists have been collected to contribute their two cents, and for the most part, it comes across as a nice blend of styles, voices, tones, and rhythms. The music provided seems to float gently over your ears like a breeze off the ocean and keep you captivated like a Hawai'ian sunset.

Johnson's influence is very present throughout the album despite the fact that he only sings on two tracks. Indeed, the album sounds something like a Jack Johnson tribute record, with many artists guesting to capture the same spirit of sunsents and surfboards that Johnson seems to always find so effortlessly. The music is upbeat enough to keep one's interest peaked, although relaxed acoustic guitars definitely dominate the landscape.

Johnson nay-sayers will enjoy the fact that the album shows a little more diversity than his albums are usually known for, and even Johnson's hardcore fans will find the new music different but non-threatening.
The Johnson-G.Love duet "Rainbow" is especially poignant, picking right up where Johnson's "Brushfire Fairytales" album left off.