|
American band Umphrey’s McGee named their debut album
“Greatest Hits, Volume III”. Well, you can be sure they never had
any hits – let alone greatest hits - and never will. The world of
hit parades is not ready for this kind of eclectic, experimental
music. But it does tell you something about their attitude towards
music, as do other album titles “Songs For Older Women” and “Local
Band Does OK”. This is a band that doesn’t care about what ‘people’
like to hear, or what style you are supposed to play. They do their
own thing, however strange it might sound at times. They’re still
largely unknown in our part of the world, but the band turn out to
be one of the favourites of Dream Theater’s Mike Portnoy. And
didn’t that jumpstart the career of Spock’s Beard too?
Umphrey’s McGee
is essentially a live band that operates in the jam band scene,
often compared to the legendary Phish. For a band that
usually relies on a lot of improvisation, it is never easy to record
a studio album convincingly. I’m haven’t heard the band before –
live or studio – but as far as I’m concerned, they have succeeded
well with this “Anchor Drops”.
The best way to describe the band is a heavier and progressive
version of Steely Dan, but then that would cover only part of
what they do. Dixie Dregs comes to mind as well, with the
often very Steve Morse-like guitar playing. But there’s more.
Progressive rock, folk, electronica, jazz, fusion, Latin, funk,
metal,… it’s all there, with a Frank Zappa attitude to mixing all
this. You like a bit of Country every now and then? No problem,
there’s some vintage stuff on “Bullhead City”, with a fine female
guest vocal. It’s odd, but it works.
Standout tracks for me are “Miss Tinkle’s Overture”, the most
fantastic instrumental, the very diverse “Walletsworth” and
“Mulche’s Odyssey” (try and imagine a cross between Steely Dan
and Thin Lizzy). I’m sure, though, with the diversity
displayed here, everyone will have their own favourites.
Not an easy album, and you will need time and lots of repeated
listens to really appreciate it, but it is rewarding. Not an album
for people who are narrow-minded in their musical tastes, but if you
like a bit of everything, and have a keen eye (and ear) for fine
musicianship and offbeat musical ideas, you might well end up
worshipping Umphrey’s McGee. |
|
Brendan Bayliss: Guitar, vocals
Jake Cinniger: Guitar, Moog, synthesizer, vocals
Joel Cummings: Keyboards, vocals
Andy Farag: Percussion
Kris Myers: Drums, vocals
Ryan Stasik: Bass |
