Revolution Come… Revolution Go (Spinefarm), the first Gov’t Mule record since 2013’s Shout and their 20th-anniversary celebrations a year later, starts off in their customary Blues Rock fashion – evoking their Cream and Free influenced power trio origins.
Full bodied and energetic rock with a rich blues undercurrent envelopes half of the album – the likes of which the politically charged ‘Stone Cold Rage’ delivers so well, as does ‘Drawn That Way’, a fiery classic rocker with the frenetic guitars of Danny Louis and Warren Haynes battling it out toward the end.
Final track ‘Dark Was The Night, Cold Was The Ground’ is also steeped in rock and roll’s rawer, bluesier beginnings – a dynamic hard rocker with a heavy yet melodic groove, supplemented by an effervescent piano beat.
The rest of the record is an exploration of funk, jazz, and soul, with the biggest exponent of the former two being the title track; a politically charged eight-minute jam session of funk rock with a jazzy almost progressive sense of exploration, demonstrating the strong chemistry within the band.
Another number imbued with a healthy serving of funk is ‘Burning Point’, a slow burner with a terrific foot tapping beat featuring the axe work of Jimmie Vaughan – brother of the late, great Stevie Ray Vaughan.
The gorgeous ‘Dreams and Songs’ is a soulful rock ballad which sees vocalist, guitarist and founding member Warren Haynes reflect over his life; “Never was one for taking it easy or standing still”. Another soulful moment is ‘Travelling Tune’, an easy going Eagles-esque ditty telling the tale of their life as a band, the dedicated fans and the friends they have lost along the way.
Showing that despite the undoubted influence of the current tumultuous political climate on the album, it was recorded on Trump’s election day, after all, Revolution Come… Revolution Go is a wholesome and well-rounded affair.
A sublime record that balances their bluesy, rock n’ roll origins with their love of funk and soul, as well as harmonising the subtle political moments with the reflective and love-centric ones.
8.0/10
THOMAS THROWER