Biased Interpretation of Sound: Rusted Root rocks
By Staff Writer

When the first staccato beats of the aptly named "Drum Trip" begin on Rusted Root's "When I Woke" album, there is a definite sense of freedom and energy. The rhythm is overlaid and builds to a somehow quickly meandering collusion of toms, congas, bongos, tambourines and other percussion I can't even begin to distinguish.

This first track lays down the fundamental flavor and rhythm of the band's work; the songs that follow embellish and fill out the almost tribal feel of the music.

The aspect of the band that I noticed first (besides the myriad percussion) was the bass guitar. The bass builds on the percussion while adding a funky twist to the melody laid down by the lead guitar.

The band also utilizes wind instruments; flute and pennywhistle. Both of these instruments weave into and around the melodies of the guitars and vocals and create a unique airy feeling that adds to the overall listenability of the album.

The vocals are another area of interest. Rather than having one male lead singer, the Root features three vocalists. It's true that Mike Glabicki does the majority of singing, but Liz Berlin and Jenn Wertz add harmonic depth to Glabicki's vocals and extend (even further) the diverse amount of music that floods over the listener.

In the sleeve for the CD, the featured instruments are described as, "acoustic and electric guitars, bass, drum set, congas, djmbe [I don't know either], talking drum [what?], myriad hand percussion, flute, pennywhistle, harmonicas, banjo, marimba, on- and off-planet energies, etc., and endless possibilities!"

I've heard Rusted Root classified as a "neo-hippy" type of band who many expect to be part of the movement started by the Grateful Dead and continued by Phish and Blues Traveller. Rusted Root does not exhibit the same kind of improvisational jamming as these bands, but it delivers a powerful stage show, or so I've heard. I've yet to see them in concert.

As to being neo-hippies, I don't know; labelling isn't necessary. All I know is what I hear: a diversely-colorful mixture of rock, rhythm, reggae and funky style that I find it hard not to groove to.

"When I Woke" is the band's second album. My roommate recently bought its first, entitled "Cruel Sun." It's got a simpler more toned-down feel to it, that I liked as well. "When I Woke" sometimes has too busy a feel - an unavoidable side effect of the instrumental integration featured on some songs.

The Root will be touring our area soon (how convenient that this review is so aptly timed, huh?) and I've repeatedly heard of ticket prices as low as $12.

The Root will be at the State Theater in Kalamazoo Nov. 27. The band will play at Michigan State University on Dec. 2, and at the State Theater in Detroit on Dec. 3.

I'd advise anyone who wants to find new music with a worldly, tribal groove to check out the Root in concert or to track down one of the albums.

Its multifaceted rhythm section and the tuned melodies and harmonies of the instruments and voices combine to make a talented, flavorful blend pleasing to the consciousness ... plus it's got a funky beat and you can bug out to it!