Before {$Jack Johnson} was a college radio favorite, he was chasing tides and waves in southern California and attending film school. {#Thicker Than Water} was a little project drawn up by {$Johnson} and his fellow surf mates, {$Chris} and {$Dan Malloy}, and the documentary went on to win the Video of the Year award in {~Surfer} magazine in 2000. {$Johnson}'s laid-back summer jams accompanied the film, but it took until he became a touring sensation for these songs to be released to the masses. {^Thicker Than Water}, which is scored by {$Johnson}, collects 14 previously unavailable tracks by the likes of {$G. Love & Special Sauce}, {$the Meters}, {$Finley Quaye}, and {$Johnson} himself. Breezy acoustic guitars and sun-soaked harmonies are perfectly in place throughout {$Johnson}'s newer songs ({&"Moonshine,"} {&"The Cove,"} {&"Holes to Heaven"}), highlighting what was soon to come to him as a solo artist. Other standout tracks from {$Natural Calamity}, surfer/producer {$Todd Hannigan}, and {$Smoke City} round out the relaxing atmosphere of {^Thicker Than Water}. It's a definite collection addition for any {$Jack Johnson} fan and an enjoyable listen for those interested in his life as a pro surfer. ~ MacKenzie Wilson, All Music Guide