Everyone's favorite surfing soft-rocker has promised more electric guitar work on the upcoming collection, Sleep Through The Static, leading to some worry amongst fans. As expected, though, the Tamed and Tanned One isn't getting all head-banging Hendrix on us, just experimenting with some much needed fuller arrangements on the otherwise true-to-form lead single, "If I Had Eyes".

Over a bouncy, beachside rhythm that employs jaunty piano and subtle electric axe curls to beef up his signature acoustic melodics, Johnson reads the writing on the wall concerning his current relationship. Taking notice of her cold disinterest ("You got hungry eyes that just can't look forward"), Johnson forgoes any attempt at reconciliation, deciding that it's best for all involved to just move on ("I don't wanna take up anymore of your time").

Other artists would've lingered in the situation's forlornness, but the mellow Jack is quick in understanding when it's time to cut your losses, aware that "we were victims together but lonely", while the joyous mood of the instrumentation seems to mark his freedom as a means for celebration. He even goes so far as to compliment what anyone else would have deemed an ungrateful bitch ("If I had eyes/ In the back of my head/ I would of told you that you looked good as I walked away"). Leave it to the eternally positive Jack Johnson to cap a break-up with thoughts so sweet.



DL: "If I Had Eyes" (YFH)