Artist G. Love And Special Sauce

As if more proof was needed that lyrical depth is prized only by music snobs, G. Love And Special Sauce have maintained a solid, arena-sized fan base for nearly 15 years, mostly attributable to frattish dudes looking for laid-back tunes to soundtrack their barbecues. The Philadelphia band has never strayed far from its ramshackle blues/hip-hop formula, although 2006’s Lemonade and 2008’s Superhero Brother (both released on Jack Johnson’s Brushfire label) mix in stuff ranging from psychedelic grooves to New Orleans jazz. The latest, 2011’s Fixin’ To Die, is produced by The Avett Brothers and touted by G. Love as the record behind all of the other records, which means that it is melodic and chock full of good vibes, but with about as much depth as the basin of a drinking fountain.

Updated 02/29/2012