ACL Music Fest Reviews

G. Love

Lemonade (Brushfire)

The last time anyone saw G. Love, he was atop a high-rise in Philadelphia, attempting to teach the world to chill through copious amounts of Coke Zero. When viewed several times within the span of a single sitcom, the corporate jingle was enough to swear off the special sauce forever. G. Love serves up something a bit more refreshing and easier to swallow on Lemonade, though it's not without its sour moments. "Ride" sets the album on cruise control early with a bluesy groove that flows well into the summertime easy listening of "Ain't That Right." Like every other G. Love album, though, there are a few laughable frat-rap blunders that disrupt the vibe ("Holla!," "Can't Go Back to Jersey"). Fortunately, G. Love gets by with a little help from his friends. Blackalicious and Lateef the Truth Speaker give some positive tip to the suburban "Banger." Jack Johnson, who signed G. Love to his Brushfire label back in 2004, duets on the colorful "Rainbow," and his ghost lingers throughout "Breakin Up." Finally, Ben Harper adds stimulating soul to "Let the Music Play," an early frontrunner for the theme song to this year's ACL music festivities. (Sunday, 7:45pm, Heineken stage)