G. Love & Special Sauce
(Brushfire)
Garrett Dutton, better-known as the bluesy rapper (or is that rappy bluesman?) G. Love, is like that stoner friend who makes the occasional short-lived resolution to go straight and “serious.” He might turn up with a suit, shave and haircut to lay down an eyebrow-raising spiel about current events. But underneath it all, he’s still that lovable pothead you know and love, and it’s a relief when he resorts to type.
Superhero Brother, G. Love’s 10th album, includes a few token stabs at issue-mongering in the title track and “Peace, Love and Happiness.” Fortunately, Love also brings some punch lines to bear. The title song has President Bush sitting down for brunch with Britney Spears, Bin Laden, Santa Claus, Jesus and a bunch of other celebrity types “to solve the world’s problems.” Their solution? To call G. Love, who vows “to come down off my grass…and save all your asses.”
Elsewhere, he lets his multi-genre freak flag fly with blooze grooves (“Wiggle Worm”), funky pop (“City Livin’”) and even piano balladry (“Crumble”). It’s all as pleasant and inconsequential as a sun-drenched afternoon at the beach – you’ll enjoy it even if you can’t remember a thing about it later. “Who’s Got the Weed” even kicks off with the sound of a bong hit.
Now who’s got the munchies?
Standout Tracks: “City Livin’,” “Communication” DAVID MENCONI
