ALBUM REVIEW ~ GOV'T MULE ~ 'PEACE...LIKE A RIVER'

I'm music magazine, gov't mule, peace like a river, fantasy records, warren haynes, billy gibbons, billy bob thorton, ruthie foster, ivan neville, celisse, dreaming out loud, made my peace, the river only flows one way

Grammy-nominated Southern rock band Gov’t Mule releases their 12th studio album Peace…Like A River via Fantasy Records on June 16th. The album is a follow-up to their 2021 blues album Heavy Loaded Blues. The band formed in 1994 by Warren Haynes (The Allman Brothers, The Grateful Dead) consists of Haynes (guitar, vocals), Matt Abts (drums), Danny Louis (keyboards, guitar, and backing vocals), and Jorgen Carlsson (bass). Produced by Haynes and John Paterno (Elvis Costello, Bonnie Raitt, Los Lobos), the 12-song blues rock album with guest appearances by Billy Gibbons (ZZ Top), Billy Bob Thornton, Ruthie Foster, Ivan Neville, and Celisse is soulfully crafted.

The rockin’ “Shake Our Way Out” with Billy Gibbons is a standout track with stellar guitar riffs. The song gives the feel of listening to a live band jam.

“Made My Peace” is an epic 9-minute psychedelic rock journey with rhythmic guitars and bluesy keys. Haynes takes the listener down the rabbit hole as he sings, “No one’s there when you fall, when you fall, when you fall.”

The first single “Dreaming Out Loud” featuring New Orleans soul singer Ivan Neville and blues singer Ruthie Wilson is soulful with an uplifting message. For the song, Haynes used inspirational quotes from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, Robert, and John Kennedy, and late civil rights leader John Lewis.

“The River Only Flows One Way” with guest vocalist Billy Bob Thornton takes the listener to another dimension. Thornton’s distinctive, deep vocals mixed with groovy bass lines, drums, and brass gives the song a modern jazzy, atmospheric energy.

“Gone Too Long” is a classic folk-rock gem. An introspective, melancholy song as Haynes sings of “Dreams mixed with time, take you on a journey.”

Peace…Like A River is perfection with its stellar group of musicians and impeccable production. Gov’t Mule brings together the finest Southern rock, blues, soul, folk-rock, and jazz with a songwriting style that is captivating and timeless.

I’m Music Magazine Writer Meesha Walden