Summer has arrived and it is time to search through the CD collection to find those CDs that have been collecting dust during the winter.
Time to dig up the music that is designated for the summer months filled with beach days and outdoor fairs.
Rusted Root’s CD titled When I Woke fits the bill. The album is full of lively, infectious melodies that would hard press even the most reluctant of dancers to hit the floor.
The members of the band each play an instrument and their talent truly shine. No one instrument overpowers another. They have a symbiotic relationship.
This CD contains Rusted Roots’ most famous son, “Send Me on My Way.” In addition to being a neo-hippie, jam band favorite it appeared in the hit animated movie “Ice Age.”
The melody is beyond catchy and everyone in hearing vicinity can be seen tapping their feet, moving their shoulders or straight up dancing. The acoustic guitar starts the song and keeps the beat moving through the entire song. The vocals by Michael Glabicki are both breathy and strong, fitting the song perfectly.
The sixth track, “Beautiful People,” is one of the more complex on the album. The music is richly soul pulling. The flute mixes well with the rest of the instruments but also takes a center stage role. The lyrics tell a compelling story, the first verse is true poetry.
The eighth track, titled “Rain” is upbeat with an infusion of bluegrass. The banjo leads this melody with the harmonica. The tune is jumpy and it is easy to picture little kids in tie-dyed shirts jumping around while singing.
In fact, tracks seven and nine are both quite noteworthy.
Track seven, titled “Martyr,” is another danceable melody. The congo drums provide an interesting beat overlaid with guitar and mandolin.
This song also briefly shows off the groups vocal skills with interesting harmonies. Track nine, titled “Food & Creative Love” starts with a great funky riff and slower beat. The beat is kept by an electric bass that is reminiest of the blues.
Around two minutes into the song the beat picks up and the mantra starts, “All I want is food and creative love.” The song is almost a grown-up version of the children’s song by Raffi where he sings, “All I really need is a song in my heart,
Food in my belly and love in my family /All I really need is a song in my heart and love in my family.”
Rusted Root has a world music sound that is brought out by the diverse instruments that is pushed along by the constant African drumming. While the music is always solid and innovative, the lyrics are not up the same level. They are banal at best and stereotypical hippie fodder at worst. A free love and peace-nik message eminates from the song. While this is noble, there is nothing new or revolutionary about these lyrics.
This is a perfect carefree summer album. The music is solid and would add character to any outdoor picnic. It would also provide a great soundtrack on the way to the mountains.
The upbeat music will have feet tapping and make you itch to get out on the trail. If you do not already own this album, it is an excellent addition to any summer collection.
