To the sea

Jack Johnson, part-time eco-warrior, semi-pro surfer, filmmaker and musician, returns with yet another harmless, unchallenging collection of ditties.
In the early days, his likeable persona was sufficient to deflect attention from his limiations as a songwriter. However, five albums down the line, the absence of any song-writing progression or stylistic development is thoroughly disappointing. The tracks are almost universally upbeat and melodic. Yet overall this LP is as charmless and dull as it comes.
Not that Johnson cares: his summertime by the beach shtick remains hugely popular, despite its obvious limitations. Easy listening? It’s a mild form of torture to these ears...