REVIEW: Gov't Mule, Life Before Insanity (Capricorn)
- Paul Andersen
The trio has long been an accepted musical format in the jazz world - it seems to be the perfect number of instrumental voices to interact evenly. Each has an equal part in the overall sound, blending together in unity while leaving enough room to fully explore the nuances, crooks and crannies contained in the framework of a song.
In rock and roll, there is also a tradition held forth in threes. Give me a good power trio, and we'll take no prisoners; give me a great one, and we'll take over the world.
Gov't Mule is one badass great trio of musicians. In the muscular style of bands like Cream and Hendrix's Experience, yet coming from a decidedly Southern point of view (guitarist Warren Haynes and bassist Allen Woody first saw the light together in the Allman Brothers Band), the Mule is perhaps the best power trio currently in rock. Together with drummer Matt Abts (as propulsive a drummer as you'll find), the three musicians concoct some tightly wound jams. Haynes' specialty is slide guitar and a bluesy growl of a voice, absolutely perfect for their music, dripping with grits and grease, while Abts and Woody keep it all tethered to the ground through a freight train of a rhythmic machine.
Life Before Insanity is the third studio effort by the group, and it features a bit more structure in terms of the songwriting. With five of the songs clocking in at less than six minutes, the jam-sodden nature of their music has been somewhat curbed, though they do kick it out elsewhere on the disc. This one may actually get some airplay, especially "Lay Your Burden Down," which features special guest Ben Harper. But the good news, especially for old fans, is that their penchant for odd time signatures and sudden melodic changes remains intact. Think of it as a Mule for all tastes.
