Search - Gov't Mule :: Deja Voodoo

The Mule Carry On - Slower and Bluesier than Ever

Richard Thompson | El Paso, Texas | 05/09/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Gov't Mule - Déjà Voodoo (2004) 12 Tracks ***** (75:54)



While listening to all my Gov't Mule cd's recently to write reviews on them, I have really grown to like this one. Some people have complained that there are too many "slow" songs on this disc, but I really like them. It could just be a matter of my personal mood at the time of listening to this particular disc, since I admittedly have been in a kind of dark place in my personal life.



Déjà Voodoo is the sixth studio album by Gov't Mule, and the first with new permanent members Danny Louis (keyboards) and Andy Hess (bass). It is a real mix of up-tempo rockers and really slow bluesy numbers. In fact, it seems that every other track is a "slower number". I guess some people might think that breaks up the "flow" of the album too much (I don't). I also immediately liked the addition of keyboards by Danny Louis. I think they really add to the "classic" sound of any band trying to emulate 70's style rock.



I as alluded to before, this whole album really speaks to me. It's just one of those rare times when a person simply "connects" with the music and lyrics of an artist. As I listened to each song and rated it on my personal 5 star rating system, I realized that there were No Weak tracks on this album IMHO. Every song got 4 stars except just one (No Celebration). This album doesn't contain any acoustic songs like their previous offerings did, but the song Wine and Blood has some of the most beautiful slide guitar work on it I have ever heard. One word of caution, You better be a "blues fan" or you are not likely to connect with much of this disc. One other reviewer called the slower tracks on this album "Ballads". Sorry to disagree, but the Mule don't play no ballads. Yes there are more slower songs on this than any of their other albums, but they are Not Ballads. Just cool, slow blues.



Three songs got the full 5 star rating: Lola Leave Your Light On, Silent Scream (which clocks in at almost 11 minutes), and New World Blues. For comparison, on their first three albums I only found one track to really deserve the full "excellent" rating. Plenty got 4½, but this just shows how good I think this Gov't Mule album is. The included cd booklet is 14 pages with photos, liner notes, and complete lyrics. Highly Recommended.

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