Customer Reviews

Welcome to My Party

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I never thought i'd see the day when Rusted Root used a technopulse. I thought they were pretty comfortable with themselves seeing that their past albums have been consistent as far as mood and style, and i know it's healthy for musicians to venture out of their norm, but I definitely prefer the good'ol-good'ol.
NOT that the whole album is comprised of technobeats... it's really only the last song that surprised me. There is definitely some old school Rusted Root blood flowing through this body of songs... however there were a few mediocre songs on here as well;
I feel that these unsuccesses may have been a result of trying to fuse their old technique with stark new ideas without a middle man there to help.

..so out with the negative and in with the positive...

The song "Blue Diamonds" (sung by Glabicki&Wertz), which was a most beautiful composition, did make it onto a few mainstream radio stations and frequented the college stations... I actually had a friend who used that song on her wedding day.
This album also has the predicted injections of funk (#3-Woman Got my Money), blues (#5-Weave), and other very interesting mixes of musical flavor.
Despite any negativity given this album, Rusted Root always holds their harmonies amazingly tight (Glabicki's 'trilling' falsetto is mind blowing!) and their skillful use of many odd and wonderful percussion instruments will never get old.
The combined talent of these six musicians will definitely keep me tuned in for whatever they have coming up next.

and if you ever get the chance, SEE THEM IN CONCERT!

I've seen the band live 5 or 6 times since the mid 90's. Everytime, except for the last time I saw them (on tour for this record) was exceptional. Not only was the concert lackluster, but the cd was worse. Honestly not a single song on this cd impressed me enough to want to listen to it again. The songs seem ...forced. After a few weeks of giving it a chance, I gave up. I can't recommend this cd to anyone. Get Cruel Sun or When I Woke and leave it at that.

The Dave Matthews Band-ification of Rusted Root continues. As mentioned on previous reviews, this album is over-produced, and the intense percussive sequences and the general unpredictability and lovably raw flavor of the band's previous albums is gone. These songs are tight, refined radio tracks, and while that's not necessarily bad, "Welcome To My Party" just doesn't convey the emotional connection of previous albums to me.
The slow songs suffer the most. Songs like "Cry" and "Sweet Mary" are just too slick to echo the haunting beauty of previous cuts like "Beautiful People" (from When I Woke) or "Where She Runs" (Cruel Sun). On the other hand, the funk infusion on more upbeat tracks like the opener, "Union 7," and others like "Women Got My Money" and "Weave" is a refreshing new direction for the band. And unlike some of the purists out there, I did enjoy Root's foray into borderline electronica with "People Of My Village." (It certainly fits this album more than it would any others.) Change isn't necessarily bad, but I can bet all of these tracks would be much better in concert, not in the studio.

I am a big Rusted Root fan and have been for several years, but I was left disappointed with this effort from the group. The umph was missing in this disc. If you like some of their original stuff but are sick of listening to the same 4 CDs over and over again, check out some of their live stuff.

If you liked the old Rusted Root with Jenn Wertz and the first two albums then this is a must purchase for you! I've been a lover of Rusted Root since the beginning and living only 30 miles away from their home city of Pittsburgh I have seen them play dozens of time as a group and jamming at Club Cafe on the South Side. Last fall when I saw Wertz back with the group at a small little pub I knew they were back on track. They are on top form with this album... it has hints of Cruel Sun yet it is distinctly its own album. Some of the songs are uterly amazing, such as "Blue Diamonds" and their is not a bad song on the album. I must admit the last two albums they did kind of spooked me but I still liked them, but Welcome To My Party is music to my ears I would rank it along with Trey Anastasio's new album the best music I've prurchased in several years.

I am actually quite disappointed in their albums after their big "Ice Age" break. I feel like they lost their roots!!!!
And in 2003 I saw them in concert.... I could not believe how trendy and popish the girls were dressed. I have been a long time fan of their music. I saw them in '96 when I was a young teenager and loved them!
But I could not believe when I saw them in concert that the girls sold out like that. Their more recent songs sound so "poppy" and not so much of their old stuff. There are maybe one or two songs but the rest.... they might as well have asked Britney Spears to join the group.
If you want to fully taste and embrace Rusted Root at their finest, purchase When I Woke... and stay away from the pop albums.

Perhaps I am spoiled by "When I Woke", but once again Rusted Root failed to excite me with the CD, though I desperately wanted them to succeed. I believe the band's strength lies in improvising and jamming, upbeat songs. But, for the last 3 CD's they have slowed things down considerably, I and just cannot get into it. Things start great with "Union 7", but go downhill from there. If you want something like "When I Woke", this isn't it.

Rusted Root's new album ranks among their best, and could possibly be one of the best albums of the year. Michael Glabicki's lyrics, combined with the haunting vocals of Liz Berlin and Jenn Wertz, and the signature grooves make this an incredible effort from this Pittsburgh band. The title track, which is also the 1st single highlights what makes this band great. John Buynak has stepped up to the plate like never before and delivered the best playing of his career.

I can't wait to see the tour!! Why isn't this band all over the place?

I have to say that I am also a big fan of When I Woke, but trying to compare the two is wrong. There's a new feel intergrated with their unique style. Good for driving with the windows down.

This album has a terrific vibe. Micheal's lyrics paint wonderful pictures. Also, the girls and the rest of the band sound great.

Everyone should check this album out! Especially "Women Got My Money!" :-)

This album offers much less of the driving drum beat and haunting vocals that made Rusted Root one of my favorites. It is a solid, mellow (almost R&B) alternative, but it probably won't get as much play on my stereo as their earlier albums.