Life Before Insanity is the third studio album by Gov't Mule.

[10] Unlike the band's first two albums, Life Before Insanity utilized both overdubbing and multiple guest musicians.

[11] It was the last album recorded with founding member Allen Woody, who died in August 2000.

[12] The Austin Chronicle wrote that "having Ben Harper cameo with Haynes on 'Lay Your Burden Down' is a guitarist's dream, but while the song rolls along, it never takes off—never reaches the pairing's potential.

"[13] The Washington Post thought that the album "recalls the vintage blues-rock of the early Allman Brothers Band and Clapton's Cream.