Album Review: The Sound of Sunshine by Michael Franti

OK I've been trying to figure out how to talk about this album without talking about Jack Johnson and I can't think of a way to do it.  My wife is a big Jack Johnson fan and so I hear a lot of him, and I have to say though I don't hate it, I would never choose to put a Jack Johnson record on for myself.

I bring Jack Johnson up because that is who I thought of while listening to this album.  Michael Franti blends folk-rock, reggae, and hip-hop together to create an easy going, soulful sound.  He goes a bit more rock at times, a bit more hip-hop at times, a bit more reggae at times, but the root behind it all is that folk-rock sound.  That same sound that Jack Johnson has at the root of all of his music. 

I'm definitely going to hand this album to my wife to listen to to see what she thinks.  To be honest this is more her sound than mine, but I do find this to be much more interesting than anything I've heard of Jack Johnson's and for a guy who has been putting out albums since 2000 I'm not sure why Michael Franti has not found the same success. 

One other thought on this album. This is a good summer album. I do not understand why you come out with a solid summer album in September. I find this to be very bad timing on someones part.

I could see throwing this album on for spring cleaning or for a family day trip to the beach.

Following the Rhapsody rating method I give it 2 out of 5 stars for Not Bad.