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Life Before Insanity
 
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Life Before Insanity [ORIGINAL RECORDING REISSUED]

Gov't Mule
4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (27 customer reviews) | More about this product
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Life Before Insanity + Dose + The Deep End, Vol. 1
Price For All Three: $26.95

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  • This item: Life Before Insanity ~ Gov't Mule

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  • Dose ~ Gov't Mule

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  • The Deep End, Vol. 1 ~ Gov't Mule

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Product Details

  • Audio CD (February 1, 2001)
  • Original Release Date: February 15, 2000
  • Number of Discs: 1
  • Format: Original recording reissued
  • Label: Zomba
  • ASIN: B00005LMMG
  • Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
  • Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (27 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.com Sales Rank: #7,933 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

    Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

    #76 in  Music > Rock > Jam Bands > Rock Jam Bands
    #89 in  Music > Classic Rock > Southern Rock

    •  Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
 
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
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Customer Reviews

27 Reviews
5 star:
 (11)
4 star:
 (9)
3 star:
 (4)
2 star:
 (2)
1 star:
 (1)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
4.0 out of 5 stars (27 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
14 of 15 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
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (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!
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10 of 11 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
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!

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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars It's good, but . . ., April 21, 2000
By R. Matthew Lane (Topeka, KS) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Life Before Insanity (Audio CD)
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.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Soothing blues rock for an evening at home
This is a very solid album. Not a ton of variety from song to song, but it flows well together. It's good music to relax to. Read more
Published 20 months ago by M. Green

5.0 out of 5 stars Gov't Mule is GREAT BLUES ROCK!!
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. Read more
Published 21 months ago by Baberufus

5.0 out of 5 stars Righteous Blues-Rockers Tear It Up Here
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. Read more
Published on November 11, 2003 by The Footpath Cowboy

4.0 out of 5 stars Very Good
Why in the world do these record people keep taking this CD off the market. This is a solid jam CD that has some great gutiar work from Warren Haynes. Read more
Published on October 3, 2002 by jerry langley

4.0 out of 5 stars Mule Power!
After the over-heavy, muddy Dose, I was pleased to find this effort more melodic and more musically leaning toward the adventurous first Mule album (one that knocked my socks off... Read more
Published on April 10, 2002 by Charles A Galupi

1.0 out of 5 stars P.U.!
This is one malodorous effort which I would advise serious music lovers to avoid like the Dengue fever. Read more
Published on March 16, 2002 by J. Dunn

5.0 out of 5 stars Woody
This is Woody's disc. The bass POUNDS. THE songs are more melodic although slower. This is the work of a mature band that plays as one.
Published on April 17, 2001

2.0 out of 5 stars Disappointing
I cannot begin to express my disappointment with this album. Warren Hayne's talent belies the product of this work. Read more
Published on May 24, 2000

4.0 out of 5 stars GIVE IT A CHANCE
I BOUGHT THIS CD A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO AND I WILL HAVE TO SAY THAT THIS IS THE TYPE OF CD THAT GETS BETTER WITH EACH LISTEN. Read more
Published on April 28, 2000 by Bruce A. Nelson

5.0 out of 5 stars Muled Over
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... Read more
Published on April 3, 2000 by David P. Sprung

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Life Before Insanity opens new browser window is Gov't Mule's opens new browser window 3rd studio release. Browse Gov't Mule's Discography opens new browser window and watch Gov't Mule videos opens new browser window on SoundUnwound.

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What Do Customers Ultimately Buy After Viewing This Item?

Life Before Insanity
55% buy the item featured on this page:
Life Before Insanity 4.0 out of 5 stars (27)
$8.98
Dose
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Dose 4.2 out of 5 stars (33)
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The Deep End, Vol. 1
12% buy
The Deep End, Vol. 1 4.7 out of 5 stars (39)
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High & Mighty
11% buy
High & Mighty 4.3 out of 5 stars (41)
$9.98
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