Death by Stereo” (Pl

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You are here: Home News Nugs Umphrey's McGee REVIEW: Umphrey’s McGee Unleashes “Death by Stereo” (Plus2012 Bonus FESTIVAL Brooklyn COVERAGE REVIEW: Umphrey’s McGee Unleashes “Death by Stereo” (Plus Bonus Brooklyn Bowl Show Review) By Courtney Kasper Published on September 15, 2011

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While Umphrey’s McGee is best known for their improv-heavy live shows, the Chicago sextet has produced many a successful studio album and their latest LP, “Death By Stereo,” could arguably be the truest representation of the band to date.

Released under Dave Matthews’ ATO Records (also home to Widespread Panic, My Morning Jacket and Primus), “DBS” is as diverse and unexpected as their live performances. The release showcases UM’s ability to fuse genres with their own style into a cohesive album of rock music.

Unlike 2006’s guitar-centric “Safety in Numbers,” “DBS“ shows that Umphrey’s has grown into – dare we say – mature artists still eager to push boundaries and explore new musical territories. Just listen to the lyrics of “Domino Theory:”

“You think you’ve ﬁgured out this machine/Well you’re way off, way off.”

[BUY "Death By Stereo" on the band's ofﬁcial website.]

With their sixth album, Umphrey’s layered in beautiful string arrangements, horns and acoustic guitars. Most notably is the powerful vocals and clever songwriting that shines through the 10 solid

tracks, as sometimes the lyrics can hide behind the Umphrey's McGee at Summer Camp 2011 - Photo Credit: in-your-face shredding and serious drumming. The Andrew Duch album offers a mix of new tunes and longtime live staples, like “Hajimemashite.”

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Interestingly, the album flows much like a show itself, surprising listeners with the catchy French new 12.21.12 "Beginning of the World Party" Announced wave/80s synth pop “Miami Virtue” opener, then building momentum with the White Stripes or Featuring Nadis Warriors, Blockhead, DrFameus Nirvana-esque garage rock “Domino Theory” into “Search 4.” The latter is one of the only guitar solos The Grateful Dead, Dogfish Head Brewery to Release you’ll hear on the album, as opposed to 2009’s instrumentally self-indulgent “Mantis.” "American Beauty" Beer The Mickey Hart Band Announces Additional Fall Tour Dates, Release Free Tracks The album quickly mellows with the bouncy, Hall and Oates-style 70s sexy funk “Booth Love” where all Headstash’s CITY BISCO 2012 Review Guide four vocalists show off their chops before sliding into progressively heavier songs, with the exception of The Infamous Stringdusters Release New Album, “Dim Sum” – a peaceful, short instrumental that offers listeners a bite-size break. Announce Fall Tour and NYE Plans Umphreaks will rejoice in “Conduit.” It’s old-school Trinumeral Festival Comes to Atlanta, Announces Umphrey’s at its best, and if you listen carefully, Lineup you’ll catch twinges of Led Zeppelin and The Police – Videos, Pictures and Highlights From The Werk Out both big-time influences of the group. 2012 Orchard Lounge Announce "Nocturne" Fall Tour, For deluxe downloaders, the album ends with two NYE Show bonus tracks: “We Believe,” an upbeat rock band Phish Announces Highly Anticipated NYE Run at identity anthem and “Go to Hell,” which takes MSG listeners on that ride of scary metal intenseness that Headstash On The Road: Counter.Point 2012 Day 1 only UM can provide. Umphrey's McGee at Summer Camp 2011 - Photo Credit: Hot Buttered Rum to Play Three-Night NYE Run in [FOLLOW Umphrey's McGee on Facebook.] Andrew Duch San Francisco Papadosio To Host Rootwire in the City This Truth be told, not all songs will appeal to everyone. But the beauty of “DBS” is that the genius of it grows December on you with each listen, and it will be interesting to see how these tunes are Jimmy Stewart-ed as DrFameus Announces Extensive Fall Tour, Releases Umphrey’s fall tour rages on. Free Track One element that remains a mystery: the album’s moniker. It isn’t named after a track nor is it phrased in String Cheese Incident to Host Three-Night NYE Run any of the songs. But given the retro vibe that surrounds the album (cassette tape motifs and demos, in Broomfield listening parties, early 90s punk graffiti album art, etc.), it makes one wonder: is this the band’s tongue- Lights All Night Brings International Electro and in-cheek way of commenting on the current state of the recording industry? Maybe they don’t want to be House Talent to Dallas for NYE “stereo”-typed into one musical genre. STS9 Announces Three-Night NYE Run in Denver

Or is it a nod to the famous line from 1987 cult vampire ﬂick “The Lost Boys,” where grunge-punk vamp SnowGlobe 2012 Taps Deadmau5, Chromeo, Big Gigantic, Beats Antique Dwayne experiences death by hi-ﬁ? Beats Antique Releases Contraption Vol. 2 No matter what the case, one thing is certain: this mid-90s Midwestern band is going to remain a headliner on the scene for many more years to come with releases like this. Prev 1 2 Next

-- Find us on Facebook “Death By Stereo” Tracklist Headstash 1. Miami Virtue (3:49) Like 2. Domino Theory (3:48) 3. Search 4 (6:19) 7,854 people like Headstash. 4. Booth Love (3:40) 5. The Floor (5:30) 6. Wellwishers (4:52) Courtney Dan Monty Maurisa Corrine 7. Dim Sum (1:52) 8. Deeper (3:51) 9. Conduit (4:11) 10. Hajimemashite (3:47) Oli Katie Brandon Nick Bobbie 11. We Believe* (3:23) Facebook social plugin 12. Go to Hell* (5:29)

* Bonus Tracks

BONUS: Review of Umphrey’s McGee at the Brooklyn Bowl - Dale Bocra

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The “UM” signs were ﬂying high as the band opened their four-night run. The crowd rocked, danced, and marveled during a several screaming solos by lead guitarist Jake Cinninger during the ﬁtting “Bright Lights” opener. It truly set the tone for the rest of the show and made the audience realize what everyone would be in for.

A tasty “Ringo” sandwich was followed by new tune “Hourglass” and a Talking Heads’ cover Making Flippy Floppy. The set closed with a new track and personal favorite off Death by Stereo: Domino Theory.

The second set started with a surprise sit-in from Furthur’s Bob Weir. He kicked off the second set with a venue-wide sing-along to the classic “Not Fade Away.”

Bobby hung around for a seamless segue into a gorgeous Glory which brought out cheers from some and tears from others. The legendary guitarist left the stage to a huge ovation from a gracious Tuesday crowd. Umphrey's McGee at Summer Camp 2011 - Photo Credit: The rest of the set kept the energy going with a 40s Andrew Duch theme that included a groovy “Triple Wide” and progressive rock vehicle “The Floor.” The set ended with the seldom-played “Phil’s Farm.”

The encore was a perfect nightcap. A raging “No Comment” segued into the crowd-pleaser “2nd Self.” Lead vocalist/guitarist Brendan Bayliss had to share the singing duties with the crowd who clearly did not want the show to end.

The Brooklyn Bowl is as intimate a venue as Umphrey’s has played in the last few years. With adjacent bowling alleys right next to the stage, an amazing selection of beer from the next-door Brooklyn Brewery and the best fried chicken in the Northeast, tickets sold rapidly and the hardcore fans were out in full force.

09.06.11 – The Brooklyn Bowl – New York City, NY

Set I: Bright Lights, Ringo > Spires > Ringo, Hourglass, Making Flippy Floppy > White Mans Moccasins, Domino Theory Set II: Not Fade Away1 > Glory1, 40s Theme, Out of Order > The Triple Wide > The Floor, The Linear > Phil's Farm Encore: No Comment > 2nd Self 1 with Bob Weir

Wednesday’s show picked up right where Umphrey’s left off the night before. The over 21 crowd (and those U-21s lucky enough to wiggle their way into the show) were treated yet again. “

Catshot” – a renamed version of the classic ”Jazz Odyssey” – opened the show. Fans had their eyes closed and heads nodding to “Wife Soup” followed by “Sociable Jimmy.”

But the slow groove start was short-lived as Umphrey’s launched into a marathon “Wappy Sprayberry” that led into The Beatles’ “I’ve Got a Feeling.”

Umphrey's McGee at Summer Camp 2011 - Photo Credit: Andrew DuchAfter ending the set with “Cemetary Walk I,” the band opened set two with “Cemtary Walk II.” It’s this type of conceptual setlist writing that endears fans to the band.

A raging “Resolution” gave way to “Haji,” which always gets the crowd going.

Everyone chanted in anticipation as Umphrey’s took

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the stage for the encore. The ﬁrst song was the Umphrey's McGee at Summer Camp 2011 - Photo Credit: keyboard and guitar dueling “Fussy Dutchman.” Andrew Duch The song ﬂowed into “Fugazi’s Waiting Room.”

Just as the crowd was about to leave, Brooklyn Bowl owner Peter Shapiro took the stage with a birthday request: he wanted to hear some Led Zepellin. Of course, the band acquiesced. Umphrey’s came on for a 2nd encore and played “The Song Remains The Same.” A great cap to a crazy second night

All four nights at the Brooklyn Bowl were memorable and well played. Supporting their new release, the band debuted a few tracks and had a number of special guests (including a little rapping from Biz Markie).

Umphrey’s is a band that always makes a point of giving back to their fans and these four nights at such an intimate venue with various sit-ins, bust-outs and special segues was just that.

09.07.11 – The Brooklyn Bowl – New York City, NY

Set I: Catshot1 > Wife Soup, Sociable Jimmy > Forks, Go To Hell, Wappy Sprayberry > I've Got A Feeling, Cemetery Walk I Set II: Cemetery Walk II, Resolution > Hajimemashite, Miami Virtue, JaJunk, Andy’s Last Beer, Plunger > I'm on Fire > Plunger Encore: The Fussy Dutchman > Waiting Room Encore II: The Song Remains The Same

09.08.11 – The Brooklyn Bowl – New York City, NY

Set I: Nipple Trix > Booth Love > Miss Tinkle's Overture, Morning Song, Room to Breathe, Tribute to the Spinal Shaft, Mantis Ghetts > Live and Let Die Set II: Red Tape > Jimmy Stewart > Puppet String, Ocean Billy > Gulf Stream, The Bottom Half > Jimmy Stewart > The Botom Half, Shine On You Crazy Diamond Encore: The Joker, Hangover

09.09.11 – The Brooklyn Bowl – New York City, NY

Set I: Jazz Odyssey > Prowler > Words, All In Time > Push the Pig, Nemo, Pay The Snucka > Hot For Teacher, Wizard Burial Ground Set II: Divisions > Jimmy Stewart > Divisions, Bridgeless, Eminence Front, Hurt Bird Bath, America the Beautiful, Soul Food I > 1348 Encore I: Front Porch Encore II: All In Time

Buy “Death By Stereo” via iTunes or the band’s ofﬁcial website.

Umphrey’s McGee’s is in the middle of the Northeastern leg of their fall tour. For a complete list of dates, check out the tour listing.

What do you think of “Death By Stereo?” Let us know in the comments below.

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