Brushfire

Who knew that Andy Samberg’s impersonation of Jack Johnson on Saturday Night Live as the host of “The Mellow Show” would have such a big impact on the Hawaiian-born singer? Johnson plays against typecasting on his sixth album, which clocks in at just under 42 minutes and features 13 songs. Most of them are upbeat, and if not scorchers, are certainly jammy. The title track, with its Beatles and Pink Floyd traces, for instance. Or the ‘50s-style romp, “At Or With Me.” Or even better, the bluesy “Bad Wine, Mistakes, Mythology,” which slurred together is fun to sing along to. Johnson’s quirkier side shines through on “Pictures of People Taking Pictures.” He does get mellow here and there with acoustic numbers, but compared to 2008’s subdued Sleeping Through The Static, To the Sea is an adrenaline rush.