SOMETHING OLD: ‘Can’t Keep Living This Way’ – Rootjoose

Rootjoose were a Cornish band who achieved local success after winning a Battle of the Bands contest with Capital FM. Releasing their music through their own funded record label was always going to be difficult, however the album ‘Rhubarb’ obtained a cult status as an uplifting, soulful collection of songs which captured the sunshine and high energy associated with the band – especially when playing live.
I first came to know of Rootjoose when we discovered their recording studio was on our holiday campsite. Random but true, an old airfield produced some great tracks – which unfortunately couldn’t compete with the leading heavier, more angry Britpop sound of the mid to late 90s.

A fantastic riff and Harry’s almost Jeff Beck voice tells us of a mundane life he wants to escape from – something as a teenager when this was released, me and alot of  my friends could identify with. Harmonies, sing-along chorus’, they were almost an older version of McFly before they were even out of school themselves.

The band split after being unable to get a record contract after their own went bankrupt. ‘Rhubarb’ however remains one of the albums I most fondly remember from growing up, I can’t help thinking with more money and more marketing Rootjoose could have been something really big.

From the album ‘Rhubarb’ (1998)