By A Thread

Gov't Mule | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 26, 2009)
• Original Release Date: October 26, 2009
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Evil Teen Records
• ASIN: B002MBAJ4M
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (43 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,857 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #24 in Music > Rock > Jam Bands > Rock Jam Bands

Track Listings

1. Broke Down On The Brazos

2. Steppin Lightly

3. Railroad Boy

4. Monday Mourning Meltdown

5. Gordon James

6. Any Open Window

7. Frozen Fear

8. Forevermore

9. Inside Outside Woman Blues #3

10. Scenes From A Troubled Mind

11. World Wake Up

Editorial Reviews

Gov t Mule wildly creative and fearsomely talented rock band lauded by Rolling Stone for Successfully bringing the classic power-trio sound of Cream and the Jimi Hendrix Experience into the 21st Century has completed work on By A Thread - their first studio album in 3 years.

Recorded largely at Willie Nelson's Pedernales Studio in 2009, the album s origins are apparent from the first track, Broke Down On The Brazos, named after the nearby river, with a deep Texas stomp for the backbeat and featuring the trademark guitar-work of ZZ Top founder Billy Gibbons.

Marked by incredible critical and fan support they ve had over 2 million paid song downloads through their site MuleTrack.com Gov t Mule has released nearly a dozen acclaimed and bestselling albums while emerging as a major touring force, routinely headlining festivals, amphitheatres and pavilions.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Harder Rockin, Better Produced, Possible Best Mule To Date, November 21, 2009

By 

David Brownstein "Hollywood Coach" (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: By A Thread (Audio CD)

I've been a Mule fan since the first album. Seen them twice, once back in the day, the second time a few months ago.

Just got the new album and love it. I love Warren's playing and singing. The band seems to have gelled into a more cohesive unit, and in new bass player Jorgen, I think warren's found his felix pappalardi.

I'm surprised to see the negative reviews here. Really? You guys don't like this?

All musicians change (if they're paying attention to their muse) and warren has taken a turn more towards hard rock, classic rock then blues.

The riffs and songs are groovier and crunchier. That's why I like 'em. The sound of the album is more like a led zep or hendrix record, without being imitative, but with warren's great voice.

The band has evolved and grown and changed. Warren's tone has changed, on this record. You want blues, listen to the Allmans. (who i love as well.)

You want crunchy, funky, groonin' guitar tone and playing, buy this CD!

I can't believe you guys don't love this!

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars By far the best rock album of 2009., January 3, 2010

By 

Parkansky "MERP" (Morehead, KY USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: By A Thread (Audio CD)

When I first heard Gov't Mule, I thought that they were just a little kickass blues rock trio in the vein of ZZ Top. They had some good riffs here and there, and Warren was a great singer/guitar player, but I've heard better bands and more memorable songs.

That opinion has been flushed down the toilet with this release. To put it quite frankly, this is the best album Gov't Mule has EVER put out, and quite possibly one of the best rock and roll albums of 2009, possibly the decade even. It's all over the place. Barnstomping blues, Hendrix funk, soulful ballads, Led Zeppelin-inspired riffs, psychedelia, and the powerful vocals of Mr. Haynes. It's a fantastic album, and it FEELS like a rock album should sound like. There's a terrific flow to everything.

Broke Down On The Brazos just kicks it. Boogie in the vein of ZZ Top (It even has Billy Gibbons playing guitar), this is one of the heaviest songs the band has ever created (Apart from a certain track I will talk about later in the review.). Warren and Billy tear it up for 6-plus minutes in one of the best guitar duels ever recorded.

Steppin' Lightly is a song that reminds me of old-Mule, but the songwriting and pace of the song works, and it doesn't go into weird forgettable directions like some of the earlier stuff. It all feels right.

Railroad Boy is a reworking of an old Celtic folk song, transformed into something Led Zeppelin would've done circa 1975.

Monday Mourning Meltdown is a fine example of how Gov't Mule has progressed into an amazing BAND, and not just 3 guys backing Warren Haynes. Listen to the trippy keyboard work on this, it's a feast for the ears. And the backwards guitar solo! Just lovely.

Gordon James is a fantastic southern ballad which reminds me of something Counting Crows would do. Lovely song, though I can't place just who it's about though.

Any Open Window is just badassery. You know you're in for some funk when it's dedicated to Mitch Mitchell and Buddy Miles.

Frozen Fear sounds like it would've easily fit onto a Derek Trucks record. While it's certainly the least fulfilling song on the album, it's still quite good, and that's saying a lot.

Forevermore is a dark ballad with some interesting space noises. Very atmospheric song.

Inside Outside Woman Blues #3.....WOAH! Warren lets his hair down with this one! This is borderline heavy metal. If you think Warren has softened over the years, listen to this song. It's just intense.

Scenes From A Troubled Mind is a funky little song with some great slide work. Another keeper from a great album.

And finally, World Wake Up is a dark psychedelic song about how our economy and our world is going down the crapper. It's a fantastic album closer, you could close your eyes and imagine Pink Floyd doing this were it not for the southern accented vocals.

This album has it all. Great songs, terrific playing, showmanship, amazing tones, variety. It's just a perfect album. If you love rock and roll, get this album.

21 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars 4 1/2 ** MIGHTY MIGHTY, October 26, 2009

By 

dickydo "Richie D" (Warwick, RI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: By A Thread (Audio CD)

The good news is that the Gov't Mule sound is completely intact. And literally adding fuel to the fire is new bassist Jorgen Carlsson, who's ferocity adds another dimension to the jam band masters. His opening bass line on the first track "Broke Down on the Brazos" is startling, you easily forget that Billy Gibbons is guesting on the song. Carlsson propulsive and innovative playing proves to be the perfect foil for Warren Haynes signature style. There's a little less jamming this time around. The band has never sounded tighter, Haynes vocals never more soulful. "Any Open Window" and "Inside Outside Women Blues # 3" sound like an homage to Hendrix and his legendary rhythm section. Haynes never really strays far from what this band is all about, yet there's new vitality in this intoxicating mix of southern blues rock. It's hard to imagine but this might just be the best work this band has ever produced. Yes, it's that good!