Customer Reviews

Electric Mile

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

These guys have evolved throughout their careers with different focuses on each of their cds, rendering most of their albums very enjoyable. The Electric Mile, however, just seems unfocused. I can't fault G for trying to move in new directions because it served him well in the past, but the dabbling into ska/reggae territory with Unified and Praise Up comes off as paltry and cliched in comparison to G's other creative, authentic songs. Night of the Living Dead sounds more like the good old sway of the band that I've grown to familiarize and love, but the cd digresses again with Parasite. The music on this track, especially the bass, is pretty tight, but the superfluous execrations ("You're just a f***ing parasite" ad nauseam) water down the message which is good until the chorus. The rest of the songs on the cd are ok, none of them standing out in my mind as noteworthy other than 100 Magic Rings which is a soaring beauty and the bizarre, phsychadelic reprise of Free At Last.

The Electric Mile is packed with an accompanying disc entitled "Ridin' High." It has 10 songs in all, 4 reprises and 6 originals. Tracks 3-6 on this cd are really great. 3 is called Break Away. It's just very mellow and very easy to get into. I like it a lot. 4 is called Sea Shells- it shows off G's rhyming skills exquisitely. 5 and 6 are called House Stirs the Soup and Writing on the Walls, respectively. Both songs sound strikingly similar, using nearly the same guitar lines, possibly just in different keys. That doesn't matter much though because both of these songs are really happy and upbeat, and the unique chords are really bedazzling.

All in all, the purchase of "The Electric Mile" and "Ridin' High" is well worth the money of any G. Love & Special Sauce fans, but for people thinking about buying this as an introduction to the group, try "Yeah, It's That Easy," or the bands first album, "G. Love & Special Sauce" instead.

G.Love never fails... from one album to another I'm never disappointed. Electric mile is exactly what I've been waiting for ever since I got Philadelphonic. IF you want to know why -- then you must... I repeat MUST start Travelin' the electric mile. PRAISE UP... this album is awesome.

well G. Love and the Special Sauce have come back with their fifth studio album, and much has changed. Their last CD, Philadelphonic, was definitely my favorite and brought a new and updated sound to their bluesed funked out riffs. Therefor I definitely thought this Cd would continue with the momentum, however in my eyes it failed. The opening riff on Unified is a great example, it is a direct rippoff of a sublime song and definitely not as groovy as the original. Praise Up continues on with more little originality, it sounds like a Bob Marley throw away. However the album does have its highlights like Parasite, featuring the amazing Jasper, and the delightful 100 Magic Rings. With help from John Medeski and Billy Conway from the defunct Morphine, this album had plenty of potential. In the end it is still G. Love and that is why it is still good because there is no one like him in the industry. The album is good if you have never heard G. Love before, but for familiar fans Coast to Coast Motel is still the ultimate. Peace and one love!

I really enjoy this album and I think that everyone else will too. I was sort of expecting more of a hip-hop feel, more Philadelphonic style, but I was impressed with his lack back style this time. If you are a G-Love fan this album is a must. Jasper makes his first return as well in a great track called "parasite." ... . G Love is one of my favorite artists and he backs up the his other four albums very well. I particularly enjoyed a song called "rain jam." It was incredible, simple and astoudingly beautiful. The rest of the album too. ... .

While the groovy, bluesy attack offered by "Electric Mile" certainly spends quality time in my CD player, I find that it is simply mediocre when compared to previous works. Once again the sound is completely recognizable as G Love, but gone from this album is the creative lyrical arrangements and jam-feel musical background.

Songs like "Parasite" and "Praise Up" are often repetitive and lyrically "blah". "100 Magic Rings" repeats its name-sharing chorus nearly 50 times throughout the song.

While the album is certainly a long shot from the quality work that has appeared from G Love and Special sauce previously, it is still one that will always have your butt moving. I would give the album only 3 stars, but I just can't bring myself to trashing this album completely. If you can get over the non-creative aspects, you will find that musically the album is mediocre, but coming from a band who is possibly beyond their talent at times.

There is no other band i have ever heard that can mix it up so much like G.Love and Special Sauce. It's hard not to like it. I heard someone call Parasite a cheap throw away Bob Marley song, hahaha, to say the least it's definitely not, just because it sounds reggae does not mean it's compared to Bob. G puts his own style in there with a great addition of Jasper in the song. Night of the Living dead is a great song that kind of changes the momentum of the album. But i think that the song the Electric Mile may be my favorite song, it's a bluesy rocking sound with G's voice to it, it's great. You'd be a fool not to like this album. P.s i plan to see them tommorow on May 9th 2001 in St.Louis, ...

G. Love & Special Sauce continues to amaze me. Their blend of blues, rap, and hip-hop is a unique combination. nothing else out there can top it. Not only does G. Love's music have groove, but the message is great too. Unified, Free at Last, Night of the Living Dead, and Parasite are definitely winners on this album. G. Love keeps on progressing, although my favorite album is still his self-titled. I've seen him live, and that is definitely G. Love at his purest. If they ever make it to your town, it's worth all the money in the world. If you are a G. Love fan, this album should definitely be in your collection.

Just saw G.Love and the band at Avalon in Boston, MA. The show was great as usual, and proved what G is telling us on this CD...he is "Free at Last". G seems to have reached a new level of enlightenment in his career. He is clearly crossing over into the "high" ground free style jam space that only Jerry Garcia and Bod Marley have occupied. G is transending on this CD...and he is just getting started. See him live and LOOK OUT!

I am so disappointed in this CD!! I don't know what all the other reviewers listened to, but I can't disagree more. I have been a great fan of this band for years, but compared to their others, this is a terrible CD. I hope they soon recover from whatever has possessed them. And what is the deal with the Magic Rings?? That's the worst song I've heard in a long time.

This is a great CD. G. Love is just pure, simple, good music. This may not be the best introductory album to his music though, instead "G. Love and the Special Sauce" should be the first to check out. This is a good sophomore album for the newcomer though.

My wife and I were discussing the humor in that a classic artist like G Love is now riding on the coat tails of a new artist, Jack Johnson (although I Love Jack Johnson), when he should be the most relevant acoustic guitar player of our time. Be sure to check out his cover of "Greatest Hits" on the Sublime tribute album.

I'd buy it again.