Spring Break
CD Review: G. Love shows versatility on Lemonade
Rachel McCarty
Issue date: 2/7/07 Section: Entertainment
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02/07/07 - The heater is cranked, the windows are icy, we've stripped off jackets and the stereo is filling the car with the soothing sounds of G. Love and Special Sauce's new album Lemonade. And for 14 tracks I dream of summer. Basking in the artificial tropical breeze, you can almost taste it until the last track fades out. And then we start all over again.
Lemonade is the quintessential summer album that doesn't strive to invoke images of pineapples and pina coladas. Instead, it effortlessly brings to mind El Caminos, opened fire hydrants and sweetly choking smog.
Growing up in Philadelphia, G. Love, a.k.a. Garret Dutton, took the musical influences of the city and combined them into a unique sound that he has perfected during 13 years and seven albums. A mix of hip-hop, blues, soul and funk, each song is stylistically varied even while the album remains cohesive and unified.
"Ride" is the perfect cruising song to kick off the album, hitting the highs and lows effortlessly but still keeping the rhythm focused and energetic. Keeping that same direction and bluesy riffs, "Holla!" is a summertime anthem and homage to John Cougar Mellencamp, including borrowed lyrics: "Life goes on / Long after the living is gone."
Other summer-y tracks include "Rainbow," featuring Jack Johnson, which was originally recorded for Johnson's Thicker Than Water soundtrack.
The version featured on Lemonade is musically different and characteristic of G. Love's unique blend of styles. His refreshing take is just another example of his ability to transform conventional music styles without sacrificing heart and soul.
"Can't Go Back to Jersey" starts off with bluesy harmonica and a deep bass line, and employs 1980s hip-hop lyrics that come off as original and fun instead of cliché.
Lemonade is an eclectic mix, but it is obvious that hip-hop is the driving force behind each song. G. Love's collaboration with Blackalicious and Lateef the Truth Speaker on "Banger" produced a track perfectly at home in both the club and the front porch. G. Love's unique style shows through, yet it doesn't take away from the hip-hop sound.
The album branches off again with "Let the Music Play," a reggae infused groove featuring Ben Harper and Marc Broussard. G. Love's frequent collaborations allow the album to expand and grow musically without sacrificing his own progressive sound. There is nothing else quite like it and every song will easily become a favorite.
Go out and brave the weather to see G. Love and Special Sauce play at Lupo's Heartbreak Hotel in Providence on Feb. 23. It will be worth the possible frostbite.
Lemonade is the quintessential summer album that doesn't strive to invoke images of pineapples and pina coladas. Instead, it effortlessly brings to mind El Caminos, opened fire hydrants and sweetly choking smog.
Growing up in Philadelphia, G. Love, a.k.a. Garret Dutton, took the musical influences of the city and combined them into a unique sound that he has perfected during 13 years and seven albums. A mix of hip-hop, blues, soul and funk, each song is stylistically varied even while the album remains cohesive and unified.
"Ride" is the perfect cruising song to kick off the album, hitting the highs and lows effortlessly but still keeping the rhythm focused and energetic. Keeping that same direction and bluesy riffs, "Holla!" is a summertime anthem and homage to John Cougar Mellencamp, including borrowed lyrics: "Life goes on / Long after the living is gone."
Other summer-y tracks include "Rainbow," featuring Jack Johnson, which was originally recorded for Johnson's Thicker Than Water soundtrack.
The version featured on Lemonade is musically different and characteristic of G. Love's unique blend of styles. His refreshing take is just another example of his ability to transform conventional music styles without sacrificing heart and soul.
"Can't Go Back to Jersey" starts off with bluesy harmonica and a deep bass line, and employs 1980s hip-hop lyrics that come off as original and fun instead of cliché.
Lemonade is an eclectic mix, but it is obvious that hip-hop is the driving force behind each song. G. Love's collaboration with Blackalicious and Lateef the Truth Speaker on "Banger" produced a track perfectly at home in both the club and the front porch. G. Love's unique style shows through, yet it doesn't take away from the hip-hop sound.
The album branches off again with "Let the Music Play," a reggae infused groove featuring Ben Harper and Marc Broussard. G. Love's frequent collaborations allow the album to expand and grow musically without sacrificing his own progressive sound. There is nothing else quite like it and every song will easily become a favorite.
Go out and brave the weather to see G. Love and Special Sauce play at Lupo's Heartbreak Hotel in Providence on Feb. 23. It will be worth the possible frostbite.
