So, I like to watch Dukes of Hazzard. A-Team makes me happy. And, I can handle Richard Dean Anderson’s mullet in MacGyver. And, in the same way I can kindle up emotions of my youth and enjoy Jack Johnson singing “It’s always more fun to share with everyone” and “reduce, reuse, recycle”.

Why? Because listening to Jack sing on “Sing-a-Longs & Lullabies For The Film Curious George” reminds you of the good parts of being a kid and none of the bad. …just like I can watch the front end of the General Lee fold in half and then continue it’s escape from Roscoe P. Coltrane. …it’s in that same spirit that I can tap into the world Jack Johnson’s created for the Curious George movie.

…and, it’s really not a whole lot different than the usual world that Jack takes us to. Usually, we’re forgetting the boredom of the office, politics, or maybe school to daydream about a stripped down life of friends, beaches, and surfing. In the Jack Johnson world this album plays like a flashback taking us from games of mud-football and banana pancakes to the jungle gyms and first days of school.

The whole thing isn’t quite so obviously designed for children. The disc is sort of put together in thirds. The first third is quite radio friendly and quite typical Jack Johnson style. You know…the world doesn’t have to make you hard and cynical…kick back…listen to the surf…enjoy happiness. “Upside Down” is probably the one you may have already heard on the radio.

The middle section is for the kids with the “Sing-a-Longs”. There are songs titled “Jungle Gym” and “The Sharing Song”…and even a White Stripes cover…“We’re Going to Be Friends”. The disc closes up shop with the “Lullaby” section. These are songs that are slow and almost sad. But, instead of being sad or somber they just sound…well, careful. “Careful”…as in delicate…as if someone is sleeping in the room and you don’t want to wake them.

The thing is, if you’re the type of person who can’t distinguish Bubble Toes from Taylor or Good People…or, if you use Jack’s ditties to put yourself to sleep, you’re not going to be too interested in this one. What I’m saying is that you’re not getting much new from Jack with this album. Any differences in his style are quite subtle to the non-connoisseur.

This album is for those who want a gentle reminder of those days of skinning your knees at recess and being proud of the crayon sharpener in your oversized box of crayons. It’s the soundtrack to play as you flip through the faded scrapbook and remember the backyard slip-n-slide. It’s music for your memories as opposed to Jack’s usual tunes about how the here-and-now could be.

It all pretty much boils down to this. If you like the friendly nice-guy genre of Jack Johnson you’re not going to go wrong with this Curious George album. If you are of the persuasion that Jack has made three of the same albums in a row I’d skip this one, because it’s likely that your persuasion will up its numbers to four in a row. Personally, I think Jack has stumbled upon a style of music that fits the pace of a desirable life. So, I’d encourage you to turn off The Apprentice, plug in that family vacation video…and, maybe play Jack’s Curious George album in the background.

Nice-Guy Music
1. Upside Down
2. Broken
3. People Watching
4. Wrong Turn
5. Talk of the Town (w/ Kawika Kahiapo)

Sing-A-Longs
6. Jungle Gym (w/ G. Love)
7. We’re Going to Be Friends
8. The Sharing Song
9. The 3 R’s

Lullabies
10. Lullaby (w/ Matt Costa)
11. My Own Two Hands (w/ Ben Harper)
12. Questions
13. Supposed to Be

Recommended: Yes

Great Music to Play While: With Family