I had never heard of Jack Johnson before coming to the College. Shocking, maybe, but after listening to his third album, "In Between Dreams," I wish I'd discovered him earlier. Johnson's music is a perfect mix of uplifting and relaxing tones. It merits reflection and contemplation without causing any great emotional exhaustion. He combines folk and reggae-rap styles to create a unique sound­-probably one very similar to his native Hawaiian musical roots. Whenever Johnson strums away on his acoustic guitar, time stands still for the duration of his album, which clocks in at just under 50 minutes. "In Between Dreams" is just ideal for mellowing out. The warmth of Johnson's voice and music effortlessly melts stress away.

Some criticize Johnson for sticking with his familiar laid-back style, but hey, if it ain't broke, don't fix it. After last year's albums by Lindsay Lohan, Ashlee Simpson and Hilary Duff, we should remind ourselves how lucky we are to still have genuine artists like singer/songwriter Johnson. His music is especially refreshing because it seems that this surfer-turned-filmmaker-turned-musician writes simply to make people feel good. You won't find contrived or overly catchy hooks in any of Johnson's music, nor will you hear complicated chord progressions or perfectly timed emotional stirrings in his voice. He is what he is, and Johnson seems completely content to strum his guitar along to a little ditty on a warm, breezy Hawaiian day. His inviting music suggests just that: You are welcome to join him and enjoy a break from your day.

"In Between Dreams" is a compilation of casual tunes with a few social commentaries thrown into the mix. Listeners may be surprised by Johnson's veer into questionable waters or disappointed that some of his music has lost its feel-good mood. Johnson addresses these qualms in a short letter supplied in the album's liner notes: "My intention was to fill this record up with songs that would make people feel good about being human. Somehow a few cynical songs about reality T.V., war, and people pushing on each other slipped in there. Try not to focus on those and let your heart feel warm." How can anyone resist an invitation like that?

The album kicks off with "Better Together," a romantic tune set to an acoustic guitar (like most of Johnson's songs) with sweet but not corny lyrics and a simple string of piano notes following each chorus. Very similar is track three, "Banana Pancakes," a breezy song featuring a ukelele, which gives it a folksy feel. Johnson varies instruments in "If I Could" and "Breakdown," using a harmonica and mandolin to give each song something a little different. Johnson's more political songs are "Good People" and "Crying Shame" in which he comments on themes ranging from reality TV to war and peace. Johnson also includes two songs which barely run over one minute, and although they are cute, neither "Situations" nor "Belle" do much for the album. One criticism I have is that initially, many of Johnson's songs seem rather similar. It is only after a few good listens that one is truly able to appreciate each song individually. "In Between Dreams" is a beautiful, funny and, most of all, a feel-good album. What more could you want?