Customer Reviews

When I Woke

5 star:		(50)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

For a long time, I had heard the name Rusted Root mentioned here and there, but never really knew anything about them. Then, a while back, I was talking music with a friend, and he insisted that I really needed to buy this album. So, a few days later, I was at the store, and I saw this album on the shelf, so I figured what the hell, and picked it up.

Wow. I really love finding stuff like this. Albums that have been around for a few years, and somehow have never really gotten the recognition they deserve. Rusted Root's music is simply magical. Largely acoustic, jam-based alternative rock, with scintillating and virtuosic guitar melodies, hypnotic tribal drumming, spellbinding vocals (both male and female) and the occasional flute and harmonica. This band is so much more amazing than I ever could have imagined, and their music is so impossibly joyous and uplifting. Few albums make me feel as good as this album does.

The album opens with "Drum Trip", a 3-minute percussion intro. Right away, the band's tribal/ethnic influences, which are prevalent throughout, are introduced in a big way. That moves smoothly into the blazing and super-catchy "Ecstasy", featuring rapid-fire acoustic leads and Mike Glabicki's distinctive vocal style. "Send Me On My Way", the band's most well-known song, is a bit slower, with a chipper and somewhat hypnotizing melody. "Cruel Sun" is a powerfully atmospheric epic, sounding a bit like a cross between Jethro Tull and the Doors. The female vocals underscoring Mike's really add to the amazing atmosphere.

"Martyr" is quite possibly the most uplifting song I've ever heard, although the very bluegrassy "Rain" isn't too far behind. These songs make me want to go dance in the woods, or something. "Beautiful People" is contrastingly more poignant, a very emotional ballad with some really incredible female lead vocals. "Food & Creative Love" (one of the best song titles ever, hehe) is the only song that features electric guitar, starting with a swaggering bluesy rhythm, finally building into a scorching jam at the end. "Cat Turned Blue" is fun and funky, and "Lost in a Crowd" and "Laugh as the Sun" are slow and peaceful. The album ends with "Back to the Earth". This song delves deepest into the tribal territory, with joyous African chanting, and killer percussion and guitars. It builds up fantastically, and really ends the album with a bang.

I really can't say enough about this album. I want anything and everything this band has made. It's also very important that I one day see them live, preferably in an outdoor venue, although I'd settle for any opportunity to see them. If you love stuff like Blues Traveler and the Dave Matthews Band, and other 90's jam rock bands of the like, this is one more band you should love. In my opinion, they are by far the best I've heard of this genre, so it's really a shame they've never really gotten as much acclaim as their peers.

"When I Woke" is one of the best and most overlooked albums of the 90's. Buy it.

This is 58 minutes of well played, manic music. It is similar in style to Dave Matthews, but with higher energy and more reliance on the african influenced percussion. The music is deep, rich, textured but at the same time, bright. There isn't a weak track on this album. Probably the weakest song is the hit Send Me On My Way. (Well, track 11 is an unecessary 2 minute instrumental interlude).

Rusted Root formed in 1990 in Pittsburg. They released the album Cruel Sun in 1994 on independent label. That same year, the group got signed to a major label and whipped out When I Woke. It is almost a live studio recording, recorded in a very short period with few overdubs. This works very well with Rusted Root's style of high energy music. The next Rusted Root CD, Remember, wasn't as successful because more time was put into the production, and the sharp edges were rounded off.

Another similar band is Poi Dog Pondering from Austin.

"When I Work" gets a LOT of play at my house. I've turned many friends on to Rusted Root sharing this CD with them. Not only does this band WAIL, lyrically their message is as beautiful as their music. I HIGHLY recommend this CD and if you have a chance to see them live you'll love it. This music is perfect for dancing around a blazing bonfire.

I love drums, and when I got to hear Rusted Root open for Santana in San Francisco a few years ago (well, more than a few years ago, sometime in the 90's) I was really impressed.

Frankly, they overshadowed the marvelous Santana (right when Santana began their big comeback, too.)

This album is worth it just for the first cut Drum Trip, but the rest of the album is unique and quite listenable, too. The reproduction clip here doesn't do justice to the fantastic sound.

The band has been compared to Phish, Grateful Dead, Santana, etc etc. Well, they blend well with those other bands but they are definitely a thing unto themselves. Each Rusted Root album is quite different than the last, so don't expect the same music on other, later albums.

They are worth seeing live, if you get a chance. And it's worth getting this album, definitely. If that Drum Trip doesn't get you going, you'd better get a thermometer and make sure you haven't assume room temperature.

Amidst the grunge phenom of the early mid-nineties, some amazing albums were really lost in the scope of pop music. I love Nirvana and PJ and all that, but if they hadn't broken through, "When I Woke" might've been the album that defined that decade. I grew up in LA and knew about the talent of this group but for my midwestern cousins the sound really didn't translate to teenage angst very well. I wasn't angry at that age, so albums like this one, and ben harper's "welcome to the cruel world" got me where smells like teen spirit got everyone else. Quietly but impressively they have kept their sound it tact and remain the quinessential JamRock band, especially when phish's future remains uncertain. With a new album due very soon (april 9th I believe) Rusted Root remains a rare treasure amongst alot..., i.e. (fill in your least-favorite raprock band here). Pick this one up, you'll be surprised it skipped your radar eight years ago.

Hey folks, Im a 20 year old US Marine, in Japan.
alright, I am going to be honest...I listen to alot of different music...But I have to admit, I am a straight up metalhead...I listen to old Metallica, Ozzy, Megadeth, Iron Maiden, and lots of melodic metal like In Flames, Blind Guardian, Shadowsfall, etc...But even me, as a metalhead, has to admit...I like Rusted Root! I remember, my older sister, Dominica, always listened to this album when we were younger, and I admit, I actually listened to it many many times...And although I am into heavy metal, I like pretty much any music that is emotional, deep, and melodic...and I have to say, I like Rusted Root alot...Lots of energy and emotion in their music. Very very melodic...Their music takes you on a ride to another world, sucks you in...Just like the feeling you get when you get sucked into a good book. Where you feel like you are actually there...Same with Rusted Root, you just close your eyes and think you are somewhere far away. I esspecially like the song Cruel Sun, very emotional song. Good stuff, good stuff!!!

I just recently bought this cd, not knowing what to expect since I really haven't heard anything of theirs except radio stuff. I listen to stuff like Phish, the Dead, Hendrix, just happy music so when I heard the first beat of the Drum Trip, my mind went away for an hour. This cd has everything you need. Lightmood joy to candlelight sadness, this cd has it all. One of my favorite cds in my collection.

The percussion utilized on this record is some of the best ever utilized. Drum Trip just makes you want to interpretive dance even if you don't know how. Ecstacy is energetic and great rock 'n' roll. Send Me On My Way is their trademark song and it's very melodic and rhythmic. Some of it can get a bit over dramatic and kind of preachy, but the deep, soothing rhythms make up for all that. Infinite Tamboura is trippy and psychadelic and Back To The Earth is probably the best song on here. Great tribal and very Earthy, hippie if you will, rock 'n' roll.

My recent first encounter with RR was 'Send Me On My Way' which I interpreted as a Byrne/Bono/Paul Simon blend with that kicky world rhythm to keep me moving. I immediately purchased the CD and was further delighted with the diversity of the additional 12 generous tracks. 'Cruel Sun' reminds me of the band 'It's a Beautiful Day' a lifetime ago. Now I've gone and shown my age. A fascinating blend of raw energy , complicated rhythms, and sophisticated writing. One of my new favorites.

When I first heard this cd at a friends house I just knew I had to buy it. And ever since then it's usually one of the discs in my player. (it's been 6 years and I still love it! ) Whenever I am in a bad mood, I just put this on and dance around my place like a lunatic singing at the top of my lungs. Its an excellent collection of songs that can touch upon your every mood. I tell everyone I know to buy it!