Review of G. Love & Special Sauce : G. Love & Special Sauce
With Beck's unexpected commercial breakthrough, everyone's suddenly interested in a new kind of music best described as "slacker-rap." Although it uses the sing-song cadences of hip-hop, it's the polar opposite of gangsta rap; in both its laid-back delivery and self-deprecating lyrics, slacker-rap acknowledges vulnerability and failure. It was done first and best by Washington's Basehead, but it gets an invigorating twist on "G. Love and Special Sauce," the eponymous debut album from this Philadelphia trio.

G. Love not only looks like Michael Stipe, but he has the same mealy-mouthed vocal delivery. If Stipe ever decided to record his first rap album with an unplugged blues trio, it'd probably sound a lot like "G. Love and Special Sauce." Recorded live with no drum machines, samples or overdubs, the album creates a fresh, distinctive sound with its odd blend of lazy rapping and funky acoustic blues. Unfortunately, G. Love's absurdist observations on life aren't as funny as those by John S. Hall of King Missle, and the laid-back minimalism of the music wears thin after a while. Only "Baby's Got Sauce," which boasts a pop hook and a valentine to a domineering woman, holds up on repeated listens. --Geoffrey Himes

Users's Reviews - G. Love & Special Sauce : Acoustic blues-rap--a unique listening experience
G. Love & Special Sauce have a loose, bluesy acoustic sound. For the most part, their songs are carefree and amusing rap numbers with heartfelt lyrics and an intentionally lazy vocal style that is quite endearing. My favorite track is the one that opens this disc, "Things That I Used to Do." As soon as it started, I felt like I was in for something special and I wasn't disappointed. I don't think you will be, either.

Your latest reviews - G. Love & Special Sauce : A valiant effort...
Falling somewhere between Jack Johnson and the Beastie Boys, Pennsylvania's "G. Love and the Special Sauce" have been churning out their own brand of acoustic, funky hobo-hop blues for over a decade and developed quite a cult following along the way. Despite their longevity, however,, the group has been more-or-less overlooked by mainstream radio. Instead, they've garnered success through the strengh of their live show and grueling touring schedule.

The key to G. Love's music lies in not trying to analyze it too deeply. The raps are simple and the funky guitar-harmonica-drums instrumentation is about as bare-bones as it can get. Even moreso, as evidenced by songs such as "This Aint Living," the band doesn't seem to care if they're singing a little out-of-tune. In fact, laid back, relaxed grooving is the main theme of their work. Although songs such as "Rodeo Clowns" and "Cold Beverage" have enough pop-flare to attract some new listeners, this album isn't likely to convert any G.Love naysayers. Subsequently, on the flip side, it's likely too sparse of an offering to satisfy any longtime fans.