Before
Jack Johnson
was a college radio favorite, he was chasing tides and waves in southern California and attending film school.
Thicker Than Water
was a little project drawn up by
Johnson
and his fellow surf mates,
Chris
and
Dan Malloy
, and the documentary went on to win the Video of the Year award in
Surfer
magazine in 2000.
's laid-back summer jams accompanied the film, but it took until he became a touring sensation for these songs to be released to the masses.
, which is scored by
, collects 14 previously unavailable tracks by the likes of
G. Love & Special Sauce
,
the Meters
Finley Quaye
, and
himself. Breezy acoustic guitars and sun-soaked harmonies are perfectly in place throughout
's newer songs (
"Moonshine,"
"The Cove,"
"Holes to Heaven"
), highlighting what was soon to come to him as a solo artist. Other standout tracks from
Natural Calamity
, surfer/producer
Todd Hannigan
Smoke City
round out the relaxing atmosphere of
. It's a definite collection addition for any
fan and an enjoyable listen for those interested in his life as a pro surfer. ~ MacKenzie Wilson