May 18

I can't think of a mellower man in music than Jack Johnson. He's the closest thing to a Yacht Rocker in my generation, philosophically speaking. Unfortunately, this means he's going to be less appreciated in his time than by the generation that's being created by his music.

Seriously, he's managed to out-mellow Dave Matthews and spearhead this easy-feeling music that has yet to crest. Consider the sounds of Jason Mraz, Colbie Caillat, Matt Costa... heck, John Mayer may get a lot more magazine covers, but he tries too hard. Jack Johnson still has the image of the surfer who just happens to be able to pick up a guitar; he is the proverbial man that men want to be and women want to be with.
That's why, even though he's gone platinum with his last five albums (including a children's album, fer pete's sake...), I still consider him undercelebrated, and qualified for this column. Here's something from his next album...