G. Love & Special Sauce: Yeah, It's That Easy

Prior to the new Yeah, It's That Easy, the Philadelphia band G. Love & Special Sauce made two decidedly dissimilar albums: a self-titled debut record full of ragged hip hop, soul, folk, funk and party-blues; and a follow-up, Coast To Coast Motel, which was more subtle, subdued and blues-oriented. With the enigmatic frontman supported by four different backing bands, Yeah, It's That Easy strikes a fine balance between the two approaches, while taking a discernible musical step forward: For every lyrically serious, musically accomplished ballad ("Slipped Away," the harmonica-enhanced album-closer "When We Meet Again"), there's a raucous, lighthearted track like "I-76," which simultaneously pays high-spirited tribute to G. Love's favorite freeway and the Philadelphia 76ers basketball team. While most sports anthems are ham-fisted and lunk-headed, this one sounds playfully fluid, marked by clever lyrics and infectious joy. Yeah, It's That Easy is often at its best when G. Love and his supporting players pick up the pace, as on the killer acoustic rocker "You Shall See"; the song effortlessly shuffles old-school blues and rock with the rhythms and deadpan vibe of hip hop. But no matter what approach the band takes, the album skillfully, refreshingly reasserts G. Love's diverse, adventurous ways, while proving once again that his band is capable of creating some of the most uplifting, organic music around.