Cruel Sun

Cruel Sun is the debut album by the band Rusted Root, released in 1992.

The album sold over 100,000 copies, which led to the band's major label recording contract.

Album cover
The album cover depicts a stylized image of the disc of Mictlantecuhtli, a Teotihuacan monolith, currently housed at the National Museum of Anthropology in Mexico City.

Critical reception
Trouser Press wrote that "despite the assistance of assorted sprites and faeries, Rusted Root’s rhythmic world music-influenced drivel is better suited for a Pringles commercial than a tribal gathering." MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide called the album "an incredibly well-realized indie debut."

Track listing
All songs written by Michael Glabicki except where noted.
 * 1) "Primal Scream" (Bendin, Berlin, Glabicki) - 5:10
 * 2) "Send Me on My Way" - 4:57
 * 3) "Tree" (Berlin, Gablicki, Wertz) - 8:00
 * 4) "Won't Be Long" - 3:13
 * 5) "!@#*" - 0:40
 * 6) "Cat Turned Blue" - 4:03
 * 7) "Artificial Winter" - 3:37
 * 8) "Where She Runs" - 9:21
 * 9) "Martyr" - 5:19
 * 10) "Back to the Earth" (Buynak, Wertz, Glabicki) - 5:48
 * 11) "Scattered" - 4:34

Personnel

 * Liz Berlin – Percussion, Drums, Vocals, Hand Drums
 * John Buynak – Percussion, Drums, Vocals, Wind Instruments, Hand Drums
 * Jim Donovan – Percussion, Drums, Hand Drums
 * Michael Glabicki – Guitar, Vocals, Mixing
 * Patrick Norman – Percussion, Bass Guitar, Sitar, Vocals
 * Jenn Wertz – Percussion, Vocals

Production

 * Dave Brown – Producer, Mixing
 * Lara Lampenfield – Photography, Sleeve Photo
 * Mike Michalski – Producer
 * Randy Rhodes – Engineer
 * Mark McNeely – Assistant Engineer
 * Rusted Root – Writer, Producer

Recorded at Audiomation Studios in Pittsburgh, PA