Life Before Insanity

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

Life Before Insanity,Gov't Mule,Bmg Music,Rock/Pop

Life Before Insanity

Average customer rating:

Righteous Blues-Rockers Tear It Up Here
The Deeper You Go Let That Hard Ass Mule Carry On
Very Good
Mule Power!
P.U.!

Life Before Insanity
Gov't Mule
Manufacturer: Zomba
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Blues Rock | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Rock Jam Bands | Jam Bands | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

Hard Rock | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

Southern Rock | Classic Rock | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Dose
Déjà Voodoo
Live with a Little Help from Our Friends
The Deep End, Vol. 2
The Deep End, Vol. 1

ASIN: B00005LMMG
Release Date: 2001-02-01

Tracks:

Wandering Child
Life Before Insanity
Bad Little Doggie (w/Hook Herrara on Harmonica)
Lay Your Burden Down (w/Ben Harper on Lap steel Vox & Johnny Neel on Organ)
Fallen Down (w/Johnny Neel on Organ)
World Gone Wild
Tastes Like Wine
I Think You Know What I Mean
Far Away
No Need To Suffer
In My Life
If I Had Possession Over Judgement Day (Hidden Track)

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

Customer Reviews:

Righteous Blues-Rockers Tear It Up Here.......2003-11-12

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.

The Deeper You Go Let That Hard Ass Mule Carry On.......2003-03-24

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!

Very Good.......2002-10-04

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. He was in the Allman Brother for awhile and he can flat out play the slide guitar. Great song, Life Before Insanity. Buy this CD if you can find it. You won't be sorry.

Mule Power!.......2002-04-10

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 with the first play). There's more of the off the wall sounds, reverbs and tremloes and tones that made the first Mule so different from everything else. One listen to "Life Before Insanity" tells you everything you need to know about this album. If you don't like that track, you don't need this album.

From the simple riff that opens "Wandering Child" to the end of "It's My Life" (NOT the uncredited add on "If I Had Possesion Over Judgement Day," the old Rev Gary Davis track, if I am not mistaken... that is an unnecessarly and mediocre track) I can constantly roll this album and not get bored with it. There's always a new turn to be found in repeated listenings. The only other track I might program off is "Fallen Down", but it's not worth the time to even do that. Overall a very solid effort.

P.U.!.......2002-03-17

This is one malodorous effort which I would advise serious music lovers to avoid like the Dengue fever. After all the good things I heard about this band I finally decided to buy this CD based on the reviews here at Amazon. Good Lord was I dismayed and disgusted when this abomination made it's debut on my CD player. I know these guys have a great pedigree, but what in the name of all things decent were they thinking when they unleashed this stench on an unsuspecting public? There is not a single tune on this CD worth playing a second time. I have probably listened to this CD from start to finish about 10-12 times, and it completely eludes me as to what people see in it. The lyrics are pathetic and the playing is unimaginative to the point of being embarrassing. I have played this disc in the morning and in the evening. I have played it cruising down the freeway and lounging on my deck. I have played it in every imaginable spiritual, psychological, and mental state. And it continues to disappoint! Well done, lads. Hope my [number] bucks makes it all worthwhile. For my money, I'll stick with The Mississippi Allstars.