Life Before Insanity [Original recording reissued]

Gov't Mule | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 15, 2000)
• Original Release Date: 2000
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording reissued
• Label: Volcano/Sbme
• ASIN: B00005LMMG
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (29 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #41,235 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Wandering Child

2. Life Before Insanity

3. Bad Little Doggie (w/Hook Herrara on Harmonica)

4. Lay Your Burden Down (w/Ben Harper on Lap steel Vox & Johnny Neel on Organ)

5. Fallen Down (w/Johnny Neel on Organ)

6. World Gone Wild

7. Tastes Like Wine

8. I Think You Know What I Mean

9. Far Away

10. No Need To Suffer

11. In My Life

12. If I Had Possession Over Judgement Day (Hidden Track)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Remember hard rock? No, not alternative, not metal, not punk, not acid rock. Just good, old-fashioned, beefy, brawny, bluesy, hard rock. This power trio keeps a dying form alive, but not in a revivalist sort of way. Their ferocious but very soulful blend of blues rock and Southern boogie is a natural outgrowth of their musical influences, and with a tour docket that includes more than 200 shows a year, they've honed their sound to a fine edge. Life Before Insanity is their fifth record, but only their third studio effort, and it's their sharpest work--even though they've always been the most focused of all the jam-oriented ensembles. They've managed to craft a diverse and hardy 74-minute album, using a variety of moods, structures, textures, and time signatures, without ever really straying from their robust core sound. One minute Warren Haynes is trading searing licks with Ben Harper, the next he's deep inside a beautiful acoustic ballad, then he's blistering through a Robert Johnson cover with steely slide guitar. As with any hard-rock band worth their weight, there's a bit of arena-rock drama, but it's inevitable when you match brains and muscle. --Marc Greilsamer

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars less intensity, more melancholy, March 1, 2000

By 

R. Hutchinson "autonomeus" (a world ruled by fossil fuels and fossil minds) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: LIFE BEFORE INSANITY (Audio CD)

If you thought Dose was too intense, then maybe you'll like this one better. But for me, Dose would be hard to top, and LBI doesn't come close. It's a fine album, but not in the same ballpark. LBI has a slicker sound than its predecessors, and there is less soloing, but the main difference seems to be summed up in the lyrics to the title track -- "Yesterday's anger is the sadness of today." The highlights are the cuts that break this dominant mournful mood. The opening riff of "Wandering Child" gets things off to a good start, "Bad Little Doggie" is an upbeat toe-tapper, and "I Think You Know What I Mean" has a wry sense of humor, getting in digs at politicians including Reagan. "In My Life" is the best song on the album, a beautiful acoustic number. The hidden track, "If I Had Possession of Judgement Day," is an all-out blues shuffle with slide guitar and electric piano. And kudos for the clever conceptual artwork!

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Deeper You Go Let That Hard Ass Mule Carry On, March 23, 2003

By 

W. R. Kimbell "BillyBlastoff" (Macon, GA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Life Before Insanity (Audio CD)

This disc is part of the reason why I don't burn or share studio discs. This is an inspired work of art. It is the last Govt Mule studio work that includes founding bassist, Allan Woody. The song writing is inspired, the lyrics are pure poetry, often dark and brooding explorations of ego. and examinations of the self society. Warren Haynes' voice is powerful easily interpreting his private examinations of self and society. His tales often betray his emotions and feelings laying bare places most of us keep hidden. He is a modern slide, blues, rock guitar virtuoso. This is a studio work but you still hear great demonstrations of his improvisational skills. Skills currently being used by the Allman Brothers Band as well as Phil and Friends, two of the top improvisational bands of this and the last century. Matt Abts is a frenetic, embattled engine producing much of Govt Mule's horsepower. He hammers away on the drums, relentlessly battering the skins creating a consistent Thunder Thor would be proud of. Allan Woody powers the team shouldering the Mule's yoke. His contribution to the band is difficult to convey. A founding member and friend who's loss triggered a Govt Mule Odyssey that ultimately brought the fan the "Deepest End" series that culminates in a DVD/film that chronicles Rocks most unique and creative "Power Trio".

"Life Before Insanity" is ABTS-SO-MULE-LY FAB-MULE-OUS! A disc that makes me listen. It gets better with every spin!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A different feel, but that's the point!, February 21, 2000

By 

Mike Elliott (Oxford, NC United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: LIFE BEFORE INSANITY (Audio CD)

The more I listen to this album, the more I love it. The Mule is one of a handful of bands that are keeping the spirit of rock and roll alive, and this album cements that claim. No, it's not like "Dose", but "Dose" was not like their debut. This is the perfect album to listen to late at night. It's very atmospheric. Tracks like "No Need To Suffer", "Far Away", "Tastes Like Wine", and the title cut cause you to get completely lost in the music and the moment...and no greater compliment can be paid to an album than that. But it's not all laid back. Tracks like "Wandering Child", "Bad Little Doggie", and "I Think You Know What I Mean" rock like nobody's business. And wait'll you hear the hidden track! Robert Johnson is grinning from ear-to-ear (from wherever he is, I'll leave that up to you)! All in all, an excellent achievement, and I'm already anticipating their next work!