Customer Reviews

Life Before Insanity

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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!

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!

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!

If you haven't heard them live, you haven't heard a thing. Buy this album, and all the rest of them as well. You will listen to them for days in a row. Then, find out where the Mule is playing next and drive there . . . no matter how far. I saw these guys in Lawrence, KS. They played for nearly three hours. Derek Trucks and John Scholfield sat in. It blew my mind. My brother and I hung out out back and met the back. WAY cool guys. Buy. Listen. Drive. Listen. It's just that simple. Sho' Nuff.

Funny thing, being a musician for a long time, how some things got away from me. My nephew turned me on to this three-piece band about a year ago, and when I saw this new studio CD, I didn't hesitate buying it. The 1st time through, I was hooked. Dangerous Gibson work, nice dirty bass sound and extreme hard hitting drumming throughout. Included is a wide variation of dynamics with some of the best 'crawl inside wood' acoustic sounds I've heard in a long, long time. Beware the last number.....sounds like everything was pushed through a small Fender Princeton amp, but the feel is alive. Dig it!

This cd is gov't mule's successful attempt at trying to catch their raw live power on a small compact disc full of bluesy rock riffs and great lyrics. The first song is only a small Piece of what the mule offers on this cd. My personal favorites are Fallen Down, and wandering child, but every song is worth the time and money! DON'T STEP ON THE GRASS!

Gov't Mule has been lumped into the jam band category, but their music is hardly just noodling solos, half-a*sed melodies and nonsense lyrics. Their albums are cohesive, SOLID, INTENSE, GREAT SONGS! A little jazz influence, too, of course. And they do like to solo--hey, it's Warren Haynes with the Allman Brothers, after all--but their material, along with the Black Crowes' latest offerings, is heads and shoulders above ANY hard/southern/blues rock band out there today. For a long time I avoided Gov't Mule because I thought they were just a jam band with long, boring, jazzy songs. Boy, was I wrong! DEAD wrong! Get ALL of Gov't Mule albums if you like Skynyrd, the Allmans, Led Zeppelin, Blackfoot, the Black Crowes....you will be KICKING yourself for not discovering this band years ago!!

The only album of theirs I DON'T recommend is their latest--Mighty High. It's nothing but boring, industrial-ish reggae. If you like that kind of music, then fine, you'll probably like it. For me, it was a waste of money. I just hope their next effort is back to the blues rock that they are best known for.

LIFE BEFORE INSANITY, Government Mule's last album with the late, great Allen Woody on bass, is a great slab of ZZ Top/Montrose-style hard blues-rock. All of the songs are great, especially "Bad Little Doggie." Leader Warren Haynes is a blistering guitarist and singer, and his belief that the young Australian tourist jailed in Indonesia since 2005 for drug-smuggling was unjustly convicted makes this album an essential purchase for both your ears AND your conscience.

This is the most consistently interesting of the studio albums they've released. The mix of riff-rockers, acoustic songs, and bluesy excursions maintains interest and the songwriting level stays high.

That said, their live albums and concerts are head and shoulders above their studio recordings - the mark of a great band. Check out Live (With a Little Help) or, better yet, see them in person. It's unforgettable.

BTW, there's a hidden track at the end of "In My Life".

The third studio album from Gov't Mule, does not dissappoint. This time out the band have enlisted several artists to help round out their sound, including Ben Harper who appears on "Lay Your Burden Down." The album features alot of what you would expect, but also contains a few suprises. For instance, there are alot of guitar overdubs, so that the guitar does not 'drop out' during the solos. This is rare for the mule, because they usually prefer to record more or less 'live.' Overall, it's not quite as strong as their last effort "Dose" but it's still a great album. If your already a Gov't Mule fan, or if you like blues-based southern rock, then I definately recommend this album.