Published in Flash! March 15, 2000

Gov't Mule kicks up its heels on "Life"

Sometimes when it rains, a ray of light seems to be peeking throught the clouds.
Such is the case with the latest release from Gov't Mule. Today's
musical landscape is not only raining, it is lightning, thundering, hailing, etc. "Life Before
Insanity" is that little ray of light.

Featuring one of the most intensly musical releases of the year, Gov't Mule doesn't stray
too far from their path laid down by two previous releases. All the familiar elements are there.
There is the stellar guitar and vocal work of Warren Haynes, the somtimes-funky drumming of
Matt Abts, and the bottom end produced by Allen Woody. What's different this time around is
the addition of new instruments. Mandolin, lap steels, and harmonica are the most notable.

While this album isn't filled with anything spectacular, it is filled with pure musicianship.

While that in itself may not be anything special, in today's musical climate, it is very special and
very welcome. The album features guest appearances by Ben Harper ("Lay Your Burden
Down") and Hook Herrera guests on many tracks as the harmonica player. Perhaps the most
stunning development is the newfound soulfulness in Haynes' vocal delivery. The grittiness is still
there but Haynes seems to have taken a page from the book of Otis Redding on tracks such as
the previously mentioned "Lay Your Burden Down."

The most important thing on "Life Before Insanity" is Haynes' guitar work. The styles
never stay the same but there is a common thread running through each piece of work.
Haynes' bloozy work is the trademark of Gov't Mule's sound. His guitar rocks like no other on
tracks such as "Bad Little Doggie" while his tasty acoustic slide work appears on tracks such as
"In My Life" and "Tastes Like Wine." Haynes' playing can range from teardrops flowing
("Fallen Down") to the voice of an angry generation ("I Think You Know What I Mean").
The rhythm section of the band is perhaps the most overlooked. Tightly wound
grooves bursting at the seams to be let loose are the norm on the album. Abts and Woody lay
down the most solid of foundations for Haynes to shine. The best example is the bonus track, a cover of Robert Johnson's
"If I Had Possesion Over Judgement Day" Unfortunately, the listener will have to wait a little bit after the last track
ends to hear this.

The work of Gov't Mule is in no way going to be noticed in today's musical landscape.
This is the tragedy of it all. If they had come along before looks became more important than
the songs, they would have been superstars. Unfortunately, Gov't Mule will probably remain
somewhat obscure to the general masses. The beauty of it is that there is actually good music
still being produced in the world.


My Grade: A+ (The best album of the year so far)