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Umphrey's
McGee – The Bottom Half |
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Band/artist: Umphrey's McGee
Title: The Bottom Half
Released: 2007
Label: SCI Fidelity Records
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Track
listing:
1. The Bottom Half
2. Bright Lights, Big City
3. Great American
4. Higgins Sir
5. Higgins
6. Memories of Home
7. Atmosfarag
8. Red Room
9. Intentions Clear
10. Home
11. Divisions
Bonus CD with 17 alternative versions of tracks and outtakes |
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The Players
Brendan Bayliss - Jake Cinninger - Joel
Cummins - Andy Farag - Kris Myers - and Ryan Stasik. GUESTS: Jeff Coffin
- Bela Fleck - Chris Hoffmann - Huey Lewis - Mike Racky - Joshua Redman
- Brian Abraham |
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US band Umphrey's McGee have been around for quite some time now; the
band celebrated their first decade of existence in 2007. "The Bottom
Half" was released early in the year, a CD containing 11 tunes recorded
at the same time as the songs on their previous studio release "Safety
in Numbers". In addition, they also put together a bonus CD with various
alternate takes and outtakes of these and other previously released
tunes; a treat for their hardcore fans.
Musically these fine musicians continue making their own brand of rock;
mixing styles and conjuring up moods and atmospheres with ease. From the
opening track The Bottom Half and its mix of jazz and rock spiced with
some reggae flavouring to final tune "Divisions" mixing more mellow rock
with latin rhythms, Umphrey's McGee showcase their skills in mixing
styles and making the end result sound good. Influences from jazz and
country slightly dominate this release, and the chosen foundation for
most tracks is their own brand of laid back and mellow rock,
occasionally given some extra bite from hard rock licks.
The songs are either melancholy or uplifting in mood, the melodies
strong and distinct, and the overall sound of each tune is unique enough
to give each song a very strong identity. The only real drawback here is
that some of the tunes tend to be a bit too nice actually, that the
soundscapes are so comforting and soothing that they'll send you
daydreaming. Apart from that, there's not many tunes here that come
across as distinctly above average for the casual listener either. The
Peter Gabriel influenced Bright Lights, Big City and the atmospheric fun
tune Atmosfarag are my personal highlights here, and the
jazz/funk/reggae/rock mix in Higgins deserves special mention as well.
Fans of mostly mellow and laid back rock mixing styles in a way that may
or may not warrant the fusion tag should enjoy this release big time;
and existing fans of the band will surely find this to be a good release
too; with the bonus CD containing alternative takes and outtakes a tasty
morsel for them to enjoy.
Rating: 7 (out of 10)
Reviewer: Olav Björnsen
Visit the Artist’s
Website
Discography
Live at the Murat (2007)
The Bottom Half (2007)
Safety in Numbers (2006)
Anchor Drops (2004)
Local Band does OK (2002)
One Fat Sucka (2000)
Songs for Older Women (1999)
Greatest Hits volume III (1998) |
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