Unique, triumphant, and exquisite, Rusted Root is a very special band. One that will never be duplicated and one that will never be awarded the attention they deserve.
While their sound is infused with beats and influences from the world over, the band’s roots are actually in Pittsburgh in 1990. The music the band creates is and has always been a communal effort. Rather than relying heavily on usual rock instruments, Rusted Root utilizes drums and various (often unexpected) percussion instruments to create their distinctive style. As strange as it might sound, this equation works wonderfully. With Michael Glabicki (vocals, guitar, lyrics), Liz Berlin (vocals, percussion), Patrick Norman (bass, vocals), Jim Donovan (drums, percussion), John Buynak (percussion, winds) and Jim DiSpirito (percussion) all playing important parts in the music making process, it’s impressive that anything gets done.
What is more impressive is that historically Rusted Root is more often than not a genius effort that appeals to alternative rock lovers and world music fans alike. Cruel Sun never got much attention when it was independently released by the band in 1992. With little outside help, Rusted Root wrote and recorded eleven rather lovely songs. A few selections were even re-recorded for later releases including the divinely perfect Send Me on My Way.
Cruel Sun flows from one song to the next fluidly. This is why it is difficult to choose favorites. Of course, there’s always Send Me on My Way. Sparsely arranged, delicately seasoned, and gorgeously assembled, the song is an easy favorite. Joyously uplifting and amazingly perfect, it is the perfect example of the innate talent and creativity of Rusted Root. Despite including an acoustic guitar, and a piccolo, the main instruments here are of course drums. And with Glabicki’s distinctively energetic, warbling vocals lovingly intermixed with Berlin and the rest, it’s difficult to not be sucked in.
Cat Turned Blue, also found on a later release, is here energetic and emotional. Again with understated guitars, Rusted Root turns to the piccolo to drive the melody. Even the percussion seems to take a back seat to this sweet woodwind. Berlin also steps up. Glabicki of course is on lead, but Berlin’s equally distinctive vocals line up nicely with the track. And to really catch the interest of listeners, Rusted Root throws in a famous verse from the Bob Dylan/Jimi Hendrix classic All Along The Watchtower. It fits into the scene of the song perfectly…so perfectly that it’s not until after you hear the words that you realize you know the song.
Natural, free-flowing and raw, Martyr has a distinctively Spanish feel. It sounds spontaneous and exuberant and unlike much of the rest of the album and vastly different than the majority of popular music of the last decade. With that said, Martyr isn’t my favorite track…I do prefer the more upbeat songs from Rusted Root. It’s just a matter of taste.
Booming drums and a lightly plucked guitar mark Tree, an unexpected pleasure. Evocative, bright, and energetic though more intense than most other offerings, Tree screams out for attention. The signature combination of Glabicki and Berlin once again works wonderfully well. By the end of the track, it feels more like an old fashioned folk-rock opus, but the focus on percussion of course gives Rusted Root away.
The lyrics, while catchy and environmentally centered don’t strike as notable. Enjoyable, yes—but they lack the earthy realness and lucidity and one would hope from a band as truly gifted as Rusted Root. There’s nothing specifically horrible or exceptionally brilliant about Cruel Sun. It’s an enjoyable romp through different waters. Other tracks like Primal Scream, Won’t Be Long, and Artificial Winter also are of interest. But keep in mind that this is an album best experienced from beginning to end rather than just pulling out a song or two here and there.
Cruel Sun is on par with When I Woke…maybe in part due to the material similarities. Remember is the best Rusted Root album to date. Between these first three albums listeners will find great joy, relaxation, and a feeling of triumph for no particular reason.
Since the release of Cruel Sun, Rusted Root has been singed to major label deals and released four albums of material ranging from the near-brilliant 1994 When I Woke, through the 1996 masterful effort Remember and most recently this year’s less stellar Welcome To My Party. The intelligence, individuality, and emotion of these songs, these albums, and this band are impressive. Sure the music is “different,” but give it a try…you might just like it.
Rating: 4/5 stars
Track Listing:
01. Primal Scream
02. Send Me on My Way
03. Tree
04. Won’t Be Long
05. !@#*
06. Cat Turned Blue
07. Artificial Winter
08. Where She Runs
09. Martyr
10. Back to the Earth
11. Scattered
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