Rainwater Recordings

Citizen Cope has churned out several albums of laid-back pop grooves floating on an easy, beach-like vibe, with hints of reggae, jazz, soul and blues in the mix. This has led to Jack Johnson comparisons, which should fade – to some degree, anyway – with The Rainwater LP_. Cool The fun elements remain among varied songs, which feature horns and samples in some unexpected places. “I Couldn’t Explain Way” has a ‘70s pop feel, while “Jericho” moves to a funky, electro-soul beat. “Keep Askin’” kicks the album off in a piano-driven bluesy direction, and the politically bent “The Newspaper” reads like a Southern organ-filled dirge. Of course, there is plenty of acoustic guitar throughout, keeping Cope’s sound buoyant among the occasional heaviness.