It took {$Jack Johnson} two years to break mainstream with his debut album, {^Brushfire Fairytales}, and by the time it went platinum in early 2003, his star power was unstoppable. Twentysomethings and college kids across the globe often compared {$Johnson}'s comfortable approach to the fiery {$Ben Harper}, so when it came time to make a second album, {$Johnson} basically picked up where the first album left off. {^On and On} is a sparkling sophomore effort, carefully designed to avoid any kind of critical slump. Fans will enjoy {$Johnson}'s soothing {\ballads} and boy-next-door charms, never looking beyond the surface of the songs themselves. Producer {$Mario Caldato, Jr.} ({$Beastie Boys}, {$Jon Spencer Blues Explosion}) hones {$Johnson}'s feel-good vibe, polishing his signature acoustic guitars to wave along to {^On and On}'s genre-blending sound. {$Johnson} gets serious this time, too. He playfully expounds on America's sickening dependence on material things ({&"Gone"}) and its subconscious ill will with today's youth ({&"Cookie Jar"}). Other views on world war ({&"Traffic in the Sky"}) and a capitalistic, business-obsessed way of life ({&"The Horizon Has Been Defeated"}) are gently reflected upon without reproach. {$Johnson} doesn't need to be an aggressive messenger to get his point across; the monumental sales of {^Brushfire Fairytales} make that quite clear. People are listening to {$Johnson}'s musical commentary because he's on their level. He's not a philosophical preacher like his counterpart, {$Harper}. {^On and On} keeps things simple in sound and time. The only noticeable change is that {$Johnson} didn't lyrically restrain himself. There are 17 solid tracks featured on {^On and On}, each one is a spiritual groove rooted in {\funk} and {\blues}. In dire times, {$Johnson} is sunny and sunny always feels good. ~ MacKenzie Wilson, All Music Guide