"When I Woke", the debut compact disc by the Pittsburgh-band Rusted Root, is an eclectic mix of world music and flowing acoustical rhythms.
Unfortunately, it is also repetitious and hard to listen to.
Those who appreciate diversity may find themselves to be Rusted Root fans after listening to this album.
They use enough different incitements to confuse even the most experienced orchestra conductor. Guitars, basses, bongos, banjos -- anything goes on this record.
Rusted Root is very percussion heavy, as every band member except lead singer and songwriter Michael Glabicki is listed as a drummer.
The speedier tracks "Assets" and "Martyr" are Latino influenced.
It's perfect for congo lines at parties.
If you really like congo lines.
It should have a warning label that says, "BEWARE SOME TRACKS MAY INDUCE SPONTANEOUS CONGO LINES !"
The more interesting songs are slow and trippy.
Most notable is the fourth track "Cruel Sun", which clocks in at an almost exhausting eight minutes.
The song features an impressive flute solo by John Bynack. The haunting acoustic guitar work by Glabicki keeps the track together.
Lyrically, the songs are mysterious as any good new band's lyrics should be. Glabicki, sounding a lot like Talking Heads lead singer David Byrne, gives us puzzlers like, "See the bloody faces lifted to the sky, do you want to run with a future left behind?" Make your own interpretation.
Every band member contributes with background vocals that make the songs even more hypnotic and sometimes kind of creepy.
Rusted Root comes out with a pretty decent debut, although some of the rhythms can be too repetitious. The opening percussion showcase, appropriately titled "Drum Trip", is a good example of one of the bands many songs that go on and on with the same beat. Soon you find yourself skipping to the next song. This will happen many times while listening to "When I Woke."
But if your consider yourself a very patient person, give Rusted Root a try. Put it into your stereo and relax to it, preferably under the influence of a mild hallucinogenic.
When you wake up, if you decide you don't like it, take it back.
That's what receipts are for.