To The Sea
by Jack Johnson
Metascore
69

Generally favorable reviews - based on 12 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 12
  3. Negative: 0 out of 12
  1. AllMusic
    80
    Call it the signature of a surfer so bleached by the sun that he rushes nothing, but To the Sea substitutes the sunset strum-alongs of his earliest records for a sleek daytime sheen that might glimmer too brightly for hippies but it makes for a better overall pop record.
  2. Billboard.com
    75
    A natural progression from 2008 release "Sleep Through the Static," the new set features more electric guitars and a brighter, full-band sound while still bringing plenty of singalong acoustic romanticism and breezy melodies.
  3. Entertainment Weekly
    75
    Here's another set of strummy beachside ballads from the most successful surf bum in history.
  5. Rolling Stone
    70
    On To the Sea, the 35-year-old surfer and filmmaker is still staring down adult fears. But this time he has made an existential chill-out record that feels substantial, at times even edgy, without feeling forced.
  6. BBC Music
    70
    Should he ever stretch himself as a musician the results could be fascinating – think The Beach Boys before Pet Sounds, and what they felt capable of afterwards – but right now he's operating in a comfort zone that should guarantee continued commercial success.
  7. Boston Globe
    70
    If you dig Johnson, you will like this record. If you've heard a few songs and never been interested, little on this album is likely to change that.
  8. Los Angeles Times
    63
    Time and again, his choices are predictable, but it's comforting and hard not to like in its gently strummed affability.
  9. Uncut
    60
    "You And Your Heart" tries to kick out the jams, but in the most polite fashion imaginable. He's at his best on more familiar ground of the mid-tempo chug "Red Wine, Mistakes, Mythology." [Aug 2010, p.84]
    All this publication's reviews
  10. musicOMH.com
    60
    Even at its loudest, there's nothing objectionable or earth shattering about To The Sea; but there doesn't really need to be.
  11. The Guardian
    60
    Johnson treads lightly with his sunniness – he just lies in a metaphorical hammock and offers nuggets of wisdom, which sound deceptively meaningful, when illuminated by his pretty guitar work.
  12. Q Magazine
    60
    At first listen, To The Sea is more of the same: Johnson's warm voice wrapped around sweet, if hardly memorable songs. [July 2010, p. 133]
    All this publication's reviews
  13. Mojo
    60
    Johnson considers the world's woes with gentle reflection rather than recrimnation, along the way hoping to illuminate his son's path to finding his own truth. [July 2010]
    All this publication's reviews

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.3

Generally favorable reviews- based on 33 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 24 out of 33
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 33
  3. Negative: 5 out of 33
  1. NickM21
    Apr 4, 2021
    10
    Another Banger by Jack Johnson! I don’t think he has an album I dont love!!
  2. fredjblack
    Jul 28, 2011
    10
    Every album this guy makes is a wonder of laid-back rhythmic strumming and brilliant lyrics- and they just keep getting better and better.
  3. NickF
    Jun 3, 2010
    10
    Great album. JJ returns to his roots in a good way. Reminds me of his first album more so than his last one.
See all user reviews »