Gov’t Mule
Revolution Come… Revolution Go
Reviewed by: Lauren Rosier
There’s no doubt that Gov’t Mule is an iconic American band and Warren Haynes is one of the best guitarists of today’s overall music scene. On Revolution Come… Revolution Go (Fantasy Records), Gov’t Mule delivers one of the loosest and hard-hitting albums of their catalog.
The band began recording this record on Election Day last year in Austin, TX while the rest of the country watched as the next President-Elect was being revealed. Haynes’ previous experience playing with artists like country artist, David Allan Coe, the iconic Allman Brothers Band, and writing for country legend, Garth Brooks, has clearly influenced his work with Gov’t Mule.
Haynes has this incredible ability to write well-crafted and insightful lyrics and melodies that are bold and honest in regards to the band’s overall image and sound. Bassist Jorgen Carlsson, keyboardist Danny Louis, and drummer Matt Abts deliver expertly crafted melodies that reinforce the band’s innovative lyricism throughout the entire record.
The band does not hesitate to deliver the initial punch on “Stone Cold Rage” with its bold guitar licks and bass lines. Throughout the record, the four-piece sweeps through various styles, tempos, and modes, that remind the listener that Gov’t Mule is one of best hard rock bands in American music history.
When Haynes writes about American society, politics, and life, his songs are incredibly well-crafted and insightful, depicting his beliefs through metaphors and clever imputation. On “Drawn That Way”, his lyrics [“…cartoon savior, no matter what you say/you’re not really a man of God/you’re just drawn that way…”] deliver ambiguity while also being coy.
The soulful “Pressure Under Fire” is a commanding call for unity among, not only Americans, but for human beings as a race [“a wise man said/the human race is the only race…”]. Haynes reminds us that “we’re all fighting the same thing” and that “we’re all traveling down life’s road/there’s only so much you can do by yourself/people, we got to share the load/we got to share the load.”
Haynes sings with clear intent, honesty, and passionate fire throughout the record most notably on “Pressure Under Fire.” He gets personal on “The Man I Want To Be” while channeling his work with the Allman Brothers on “Dreams & Songs.”
Through the voice of Warren Haynes and the music of Gov’t Mule, the band is able to create an intentional record that speaks to the masses. Every aspect of this album is iconic, classic, and reinforces the importance of Gov’t Mule in American music.
Rating: Iconic
