Government Grown, a three piece from Southern California is trying to be recalcitrant of the jam band scene. They consist of Tyler Hardwick on guitar, Jeremy Moss on lead vocals and drums and Harley Orion on background vocals and bass.

On this CD, we can hear a band primed to distance themselves from the scene. Drawing on psychedelic influences like the Dead and the Doors, Government Grown then adds in reggae and african influences to create a sound that is, in my opinion, one of the most original sounds in the jam band scene today.

From the opening strains of "Chinaco", you know this is going to be a different ride. Hardwick, with the aid of synths, has his guitar sounding like a steel drum, and with Moss' drumming and Orion's basslines, you could swear you were listening to Thomas Mapfumo. After some less than spectacular singing and lyrics(one definate drawback of this band), they begin to jam. Suddenly they cross into Deadlike space, then back to Africa, then finally they land in Jamaica with an Augustus Pablo cover.

For most of the album, this is the way it is. Constantly the band shifts and turns into different genres, doing them all with style and ability. One stand out track "Rainy Side of You", which given the right studio tricks and decent vocals could be a hit. The sound is African and has some beautiful lead filigrees by Hardwick.

Government Grown has potential. They could use some work on their vocals(Moss too often sounds like Jim Morrison, and typically shouts monotone rather than sings) and lyrically, they definately don't have Robert Hunter working for them. Although, despite these drawbacks, their sound is extremely unique and their jams are possibly better than any found in this genre of music. Hardwick will continue to amaze you with his Kimockesque guitar work, that is certain. If you are looking for something out of the norm(which is what this scene should be about) then this album might be for you.