Deep End 1

Gov't Mule elected to continue as a four-piece with the addition of a full-time keyboardist, and the material on The Deep End serves as a great introduction to this new direction. While most tracks are reminiscent of their three previous studio outings, many also take advantage of the expanded instrumental arsenal to stretch out a bit, particularly on "Down and Out in New York City," with its jazzy stylings, and "Sco-Mule," with its classic Santana-esque delivery. Through it all, the distinctive and powerful vocals, guitar playing, and songwriting of the ridiculously talented Haynes ensures that the end result is a cohesive collection of material that will delight fans while bringing many new admirers on board. --Eric Wilson