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CDs / Shows

Published: 2011/09/13

by Scott Bernstein

Umphrey’s McGee: Death by Stereo

ATO

With fourteen years and more than 1,500 live performances under their belts, Chicago’s Umphrey’s McGee are proven road warriors. Despite all of the time on tour and the hundreds of original songs in their repertoire, the sextet has only released six studio albums, the latest of which is the song-oriented Death by Stereo. By working disco-rock, blues and soul into their progressive sound, Umphrey’s McGee eschews the labels and stereotypes that have haunted the Chicago jamband over the past decade.

While most of the songs on this album have been road-tested, Death by Stereo starts off with two of the LP’s three completely new songs. The synth-driven prog/dance rave up “Miami Virtue” and the bluesy arena rocker reminiscent of a demented version of U2’s “Vertigo” called “Domino Theory,” give listeners an immediate taste of something unexpected from Umphrey’s.

Since they have played so many shows, Umphrey’s deals with the monotony of the road by constantly tweaking their approach—a topic they tackle a number of times on Death by Stereo. It’s expressed in guitar-driven “Search 4” where lead guitarist Jake Cinninger sings “sometimes we need a change before we go insane,” also “Miami Virtue,” where guitarist/vocalist Brendan Bayliss laments, “cause you’ve already seen it, you know the routine” and “Domino Theory” where Bayliss spits “you think you’ve figured out this machine, but you’re way off.”

In contrast to his predominantly instrumental role on 2009’s Mantis, Cinninger moves more toward the forefront on the soulfully driven “Deeper” and the sexy “Booth Love” as well as on “Search 4,” which ends with one of the album’s only guitar solos. The album wraps up with “Hajimemashite,” a song first played by Bayliss and bassist Ryan Stasik’s pre-UM band Tashi Station, but never released on an Umphrey’s studio album. A beautiful string arrangement and layers of acoustic guitars breathe new life into this live anthem that features majestic shredding from Cinninger and powerful vocals from Bayliss.

Umphrey’s McGee may be known for their improv-heavy live performances but that may change if they keep putting out genre-defying albums and demonstrate a willingness to evolve as they do on Death by Stereo.

Comments

There are 15 comments associated with this post

Dustin Fennell September 13, 2011, 23:20:20

I think this may go down as their defining album, i’ve been an umphs fan since 2004 (unfortunately missing them at, however hearing them on the Bonnaroo ’04 comp and seeing them at a YMCA in Chicago months later) and this has some of their most diverse and iconic songs with some of the best production to date, not to mention it literally spans their entire career as you point out. First listen and i’m on my head with this album. I believe theres something here worth dyin’ for

nick payne September 14, 2011, 00:50:48

Umphrey’s Mcgee is the greatest band in the world. Period

j king September 14, 2011, 02:05:00

Really awesome album that showcases a band moving forward as any progressive rock band should. Its not about flashy guitar solos anymore; its about solid music completely and a band that reinvents its sound for every track you hear; blending mixes of every single genre of music together in an amazingly cohesive album of “rock music”. Because Umphrey’s Mcgee is an underground band they wont relieve the praise they deserve in the music industry, but boys and girls, this album is an absolute milestone in music.

Jason September 14, 2011, 23:20:05

In the park home-run for sure. The album falls in the lower half of my rankings for their studio efforts. My only issue is that the productions are getting too glossy. I guess its just the age of digital and toys, but LBDOK rubs me the right way…

Adam September 15, 2011, 00:19:44

You guys are unreal ! Keep up the good work ! Looking forward to seeing you come home to South Bend in October !

ginz September 15, 2011, 12:37:10

great review, loving the album is it bad that haji is my fav track? HAJI4LYFE

Homey G September 16, 2011, 14:41:19

these guys are the nuts. Like the albulm. But LIVE is what UM is all about. They are the best thing going by far! I see them whenever they are within 8 hours of my homestate. They are the bomb!

Phil September 16, 2011, 20:13:01

this is by far my favorite UM album. Im wearing it out. They were awesome last weekend at the Catskill Chill and im looking forward to seeing them again next week in Atlantic City. BUY THIS ALBUM!

Jason September 17, 2011, 14:58:49

First off, Umphreys is by far the one of the greatest touring bands out there right now and I have come to expect a lot from them. The amount of creative potential this band posses is perhaps unparalleled. That being said, I feel like a lot of songs on their latest album were half-assed. Where is the meticulous planning of longer tracks with dramtic time sig and tonal changes? Where are the movements? And I am going to say it…some studio quality guitar solos! With the exception of Conduit, Search 4, and Miami Virtue I was disappointed.

Pete I September 19, 2011, 18:10:14

Best band on the planet x8 ! also constantly amaze me. and i thought Mantis was the best album written since the ’70’s

Josh M September 20, 2011, 17:09:10

Umphrey’s McGee will melt your face live. Period. I love the album, i think it’s a definate change of pace, I can’t wait to see them live again. Deeper rocks for me every time

Bambinello September 26, 2011, 04:11:20

I guess I’m the only fan of these folks in Italy, but I can’t wait to hear this new disc. A “change of pace”? While most of the times this means selling out, I’m sure everything will be at least interesting if the band doing it is UM.

Sam E September 26, 2011, 14:53:26

This new album sucks. I mean the songs are okay but theres nothing really prog rocky on here. It seems like an album that they were pressured to release and didnt get to do everything they would have liked to with it. I mean where are the brilliant compositions like Mantis or Red Tape or Cemetary Walk? Or even going back further like Words, Wife Soup, or Bridgeless???? Its just so WEIRD!

Kevin October 13, 2011, 15:45:13

I never thought Umphrey’s would ever come close to writing an album that I like as much as Local Band Does OK but I think they have finally done it. I haven’t stopped listening to this damn album since I bought it. Everything about this album is amazing. Can’t wait to see them next weekend in South Bend!!!

Stevo October 25, 2011, 16:46:28

Anybody talkin’ smack about this album is a joke. I am all about the Umphey’s face-melting guitar solos. I am all about the great, great compositions like All in Time and Bridgeless. But they are a prog rock band. Someone said this isn’t prog rocky enough? How is that possible? Its prog rock. There is no model. That’s the idea or progressive. Each Umphrey’s album is its own concept album, just like the greats (Beach Boys- Pet Sounds; Beatles- Sgt. Peppers; etc.) and Death to Stereo is no different!! You don’t like disco!!? Too bad!! Umphrey’s is the only band in the world to play every genre that exists potentially at the same time! DBS, Anchor Drops, Local Band Does OK—THESE ARE THREE OF THE GREATEST ALBUMS OF ALL TIME. Safety in Numbers, Greatest Hits Vol.III, Mantis are also freaking sweet! DBS is taking rock to a new era! They are showing that they dont need to melt faces to be incredible. POINT PROVEN.