Product Description

Gov t Mule wildly creative and fearsomely talented rock band lauded by Rolling Stone for Successfully bringing the classic power-trio sound of Cream and the Jimi Hendrix Experience into the 21st Century has completed work on By A Thread - their first studio album in 3 years.

Recorded largely at Willie Nelson's Pedernales Studio in 2009, the album s origins are apparent from the first track, Broke Down On The Brazos, named after the nearby river, with a deep Texas stomp for the backbeat and featuring the trademark guitar-work of ZZ Top founder Billy Gibbons.

Marked by incredible critical and fan support they ve had over 2 million paid song downloads through their site MuleTrack.com Gov t Mule has released nearly a dozen acclaimed and bestselling albums while emerging as a major touring force, routinely headlining festivals, amphitheatres and pavilions.

Track Listing

1. Broke Down On The Brazos
2. Steppin Lightly
3. Railroad Boy
4. Monday Mourning Meltdown
5. Gordon James
6. Any Open Window
7. Frozen Fear
8. Forevermore
9. Inside Outside Woman Blues #3
10. Scenes From A Troubled Mind
11. World Wake Up

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #212 in Music
• Released on: 2009-10-26
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .22 pounds

Customer Reviews

Harder Rockin, Better Produced, Possible Best Mule To Date
I've been a Mule fan since the first album. Seen them twice, once back in the day, the second time a few months ago.

Just got the new album and love it. I love Warren's playing and singing. The band seems to have gelled into a more cohesive unit, and in new bass player Jorgen, I think warren's found his felix pappalardi.

I'm surprised to see the negative reviews here. Really? You guys don't like this?

All musicians change (if they're paying attention to their muse) and warren has taken a turn more towards hard rock, classic rock then blues.

The riffs and songs are groovier and crunchier. That's why I like 'em. The sound of the album is more like a led zep or hendrix record, without being imitative, but with warren's great voice.

The band has evolved and grown and changed. Warren's tone has changed, on this record. You want blues, listen to the Allmans. (who i love as well.)

You want crunchy, funky, groonin' guitar tone and playing, buy this CD!

I can't believe you guys don't love this!

Promising New Beginning (3 1/2 Stars)
I have heard everything the Mule has released, starting with their debut back in 1995. My first listen of "By A Thread" left me feeling disappointed, but then I realized this is the way I felt listening to all of their albums since "Dose". (In my mind, nothing can compete with the power and emotion of their first two albums.) Upon listening a second and third time I began to appreciate this album a little more, but the disappointment never completely faded. Each song, while not sounding similar, has the effect of melding into the next - like a dramatic movement. There are some boring moments, but things usually shift into an interesting idea or mood and the song is rescued. The album feels organic, much less riff-driven than on previous efforts - though the band has been moving in this direction (at least on record) since The Deep End project. Matt Abts exorcises his inner John Bonham, pounding out the most Zeppelin-esque beats he has ever created. The new bass player adds a raw, pulsating punch, recalling Allen Woody at times, and others, Mel Schacher from Grand Funk Railroad. Warren does a good job of not overwhelming each song with guitar, dropping back into a variety of sometimes-funky rhythmic approaches. Yet, a few songs do seem under-crafted - particularly when Warren goes acoustic. Two or three cuts, quite frankly, sound like outtakes. This is one of those albums best listened to from start to finish. It's a promising, if not undercooked, beginning to yet another chapter for the band.

4 1/2 ** MIGHTY MIGHTY
The good news is that the Gov't Mule sound is completely intact. And literally adding fuel to the fire is new bassist Jorgen Carlsson, who's ferocity adds another dimension to the jam band masters. His opening bass line on the first track Broke Down on the Brazos is startling, you easily forget that Billy Gibbons is guesting on the song. Carlsson propulsive and innovative playing proves to be the perfect foil for Warren Haynes signature style. There's a little less jamming this time around. The band has never sounded tighter, Haynes vocals never more soulful. Any Open Window and Inside Outside Women Blues # 3 sound like an homage to Hendrix and his legendary rhythm section. Haynes never really strays far from what this band is all about, yet there's new vitality in this intoxicating mix of southern blues rock. It's hard to imagine but this might just be the best work this band has ever produced. Yes, it's that good!