For a long time, I had heard the name Rusted Root mentioned here and there, but never really knew anything about them. Then, a while back, I was talking music with a friend, and he insisted that I really needed to buy this album. So, a few days later, I was at the store, and I saw this album on the shelf, so I figured what the hell, and picked it up.

Wow. I really love finding stuff like this. Albums that have been around for a few years, and somehow have never really gotten the recognition they deserve. Rusted Root's music is simply magical. Largely acoustic, jam-based alternative rock, with scintillating and virtuosic guitar melodies, hypnotic tribal drumming, spellbinding vocals (both male and female) and the occasional flute and harmonica. This band is so much more amazing than I ever could have imagined, and their music is so impossibly joyous and uplifting. Few albums make me feel as good as this album does.

The album opens with "Drum Trip", a 3-minute percussion intro. Right away, the band's tribal/ethnic influences, which are prevalent throughout, are introduced in a big way. That moves smoothly into the blazing and super-catchy "Ecstasy", featuring rapid-fire acoustic leads and Mike Glabicki's distinctive vocal style. "Send Me On My Way", the band's most well-known song, is a bit slower, with a chipper and somewhat hypnotizing melody. "Cruel Sun" is a powerfully atmospheric epic, sounding a bit like a cross between Jethro Tull and the Doors. The female vocals underscoring Mike's really add to the amazing atmosphere.

"Martyr" is quite possibly the most uplifting song I've ever heard, although the very bluegrassy "Rain" isn't too far behind. These songs make me want to go dance in the woods, or something. "Beautiful People" is contrastingly more poignant, a very emotional ballad with some really incredible female lead vocals. "Food & Creative Love" (one of the best song titles ever, hehe) is the only song that features electric guitar, starting with a swaggering bluesy rhythm, finally building into a scorching jam at the end. "Cat Turned Blue" is fun and funky, and "Lost in a Crowd" and "Laugh as the Sun" are slow and peaceful. The album ends with "Back to the Earth". This song delves deepest into the tribal territory, with joyous African chanting, and killer percussion and guitars. It builds up fantastically, and really ends the album with a bang.

I really can't say enough about this album. I want anything and everything this band has made. It's also very important that I one day see them live, preferably in an outdoor venue, although I'd settle for any opportunity to see them. If you love stuff like Blues Traveler and the Dave Matthews Band, and other 90's jam rock bands of the like, this is one more band you should love. In my opinion, they are by far the best I've heard of this genre, so it's really a shame they've never really gotten as much acclaim as their peers.

"When I Woke" is one of the best and most overlooked albums of the 90's. Buy it.

I guess that may be misleading considering their music isn't exactly "rocking" music, it is much more reggae mixed with world music sounds of tropical islands mixed with a little rock and even a little country. Most people will be familiar with the track "Send Me On My Way" which has been featured in the movie "Ice Age" and on several trailers. Probably this is the song feautred because it is one of the only songs where the singer is understandable. But somehow I don't mind and find it contributing to the music. This is a nice song with a catchy and sometimes funny tune. My favorites include: Ecstasy, which involves a large amount of drumming (which I like) but has a strong melody that changes every once and a while. Cat Turned Blue, another song that has a good melody but it is very far from typical, it's got a rolling beat and background vocals are perfect. Martyr, a really fun song (I wish I knew what it was about) and great to play at any party to get people moving but not moshing. And Laugh As the Sun, which builds and builds and takes you over the top with it's intensity and release. This band is great, but I think this is their best CD by comparison. I love a lot of their other songs, but this CD is a perfect mix of slow songs which state their opinion on the world (when you can understand) and other songs that are fun to listen to and other songs that you can really get into. A definite recommendation.

I first heard Rusted Root's music during the closing credits of ICE AGE. The song played during the end credits is not on the ICE AGE soundtrack. It took me the longest time before I discovered that the song was sung by Rusted Root. Not long after that I discovered this enchanting album. Being a percussionist myself, I was hooked on this album from the opening song, "Drum Trip". "Drum Trip" begins with an amazing, fast-paced hand drumming intro. From start to finish the song doesn't let up until it is over. Most of the songs on the album are like that. Catchy beats, clever lyrics, and rhythms that flow like poetry are what the songs on WHEN I WOKE are made of. Besides "Drum Trip" and "Send Me On My Way" (the song from ICE AGE), my other favorite song on the album is "Back to the Earth". This is a wonderful album that just about any true lover of music will not only appreciate, but enjoy, especially percussionists.

This is one of those albums that you can listen to straight through, from start to finish, without skipping over any tracks. It's like a "Nevermind", or an "August & Everything After" in my opinion, based upon the fact that every track is worth listening to. Of course, listeners are going to like certain tracks more than others, but overall anyone who enjoys jam bands and progressive music will love this effort by Rusted Root. It's the best intro Rusted Root album for beginning listeners of the band, because of it's catchy tunes and easy to follow songs. The highlights of the album, in my opinion, are "Back To Earth" (a great album closer), "Cat Turned Blue" (awesome drum beat on this song), "Send Me On My Way" (of course), "Matyr" (amazing), and "Ecstasy" (a trippy, jammin' tune). So, go download those tracks and then buy the album and support the band. The only reason it doesn't get five stars is because it's lacking something, but I haven't figured out what it is yet. When I do, I'll let ya'll know. Peace.

I just recently bought this cd, not knowing what to expect since I really haven't heard anything of theirs except radio stuff. I listen to stuff like Phish, the Dead, Hendrix, just happy music so when I heard the first beat of the Drum Trip, my mind went away for an hour. This cd has everything you need. Lightmood joy to candlelight sadness, this cd has it all. One of my favorite cds in my collection.