Sleep Through the Static by Jack Johnson 

For an album that was recorded entirely using solar power, Sleep Through the Static is surprisingly dark.  Jack Johnson, the laidback surfer-songwriter known for his mellow grooves, gets more serious on his new cd.  His lyrics tackle the subject of having and raising kids and laments about the state of the world today.  It’s definitely less catchy and bouncy than Jack Johnson’s previous records, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing.  If his usual style feels like a playful romp on the beach, Sleep Through the Static plays out like an introspective, rainy day on the porch.  His rich voice is mesmerizing as usual and this cd is thought-provoking and relaxing at the same time, which turns out to be an awesome combination.