Customer Reviews

Local Band Does Ok

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Many people have never heard of this band before. They are still pretty darn small playing in mid-size venues like The Barrymore Theatre (Madison, WI), Clearwater Theatre (W.Dundee, IL), The Metro (Chicago, IL) and many others across the nation. Do yourself a favor and buy this cd and catch them in concert.

As for the cd, great character and sound. Many fan favorites like the evil yet playful "Prowler" and "Andy's Last Beer". The crazy "Nothing Too Fancy", the funky heavy sound of "Ringo" and so much more.

People have a hard time describing who they sound like, and the answer is... like no one. Fans of Rush, Phish, Zappa, Metallica, bluegrass, country, and rap will all be pleased with this band.

this is an incredible indie release from the most talented band on the music scene today. this private label pressing is sure to be a collectors item and eventual 'Top 100 Album OF ALL-TIME' listing.

YES, it's that good. every song on this disc is just amazing. you will listen to the disc straight thru once and then immediately press the REPEAT button and listen to it again. and again, and again.....

keep your eyes peeled for Umphrey's McGee playing in your city and don't miss an opportunity to see these guys live. check http://www.umphreys.com for current tour dates.

and the best news is that once you become addicted to UM, there is a plethora of live Umphrey's McGee shows available for download on the internet to satisfy your cravings, as well as a rabid fan base of friendly Umphreaks to chat with about the bands latest activities.

Umphrey's McGee also recently released a DVD titled 'Live at the Lake Coast' that you can order here as well, and should do so ASAP before it sells out!

bottom line is that if you're not dialed into the Umphrey's McGee scene, you are missing the boat - so don't be left behind and order some Umphrey's McGee now!

Umphrey's McGee came out of South Bend Indiana building a loyal following mainly by constant touring. The band straddles the line between jam band and progressive rock often being compared to bands like Phish and The Grateful Dead. Personally I was never a big fan of either of the above mentioned bands, but I enjoy most of what Umphrey's does. I really think it is the prog element of this band that brings their sound more to my personal taste. One thing that this album demonstrates is that this band can pull off just about any musical style there is. They are all over the place stylistically with plenty of instrumental fireworks to please jam and prog fans alike. The vocals are nothing spectacular and their lyrics are serviceable, but nothing mind blowing (better than Phish's however). Highlights include "Andy's Last Beer", "Ringo", "Prowler", "Uncle Wally" and "Nothing Too Fancy". This album seems to come the closest of their studio discs to capturing the band's live sound, although live many of these tracks are stretched out far beyond what you hear here. I give this one a solid 4 stars.

The thing that I love most about Umphrey's is that they don't confine themselves to a label. The term "jam-band" does not serve them justice, as right away it leads to people's perceptions that they are just another phish wannabe. One listen to anchor drops or local band does ok shows how versatile this group is. My favorites on local band does ok include White Man's Moccasins (originally Ali), Hurt Bird Bath (although it's even better live), Uncle Wally, Andy's Last Beer, and Nothing too Fancy. The band put more effort on showing some of their improvisational ability on this album, where as on anchor drops its a more refined, dense studio album. Personally I prefer anchor drops, but this album is also great. Stay tuned for their next album which is not so far away.

Tyler, clearly you don't much about good musicianship. This band, especially the guitarists are the some of the best musicians around today. Umphrey's is not trying to be anybody, that is the most inaccurate statement i've heard in awile. In fact it's the opposite, they blend soo many different styles and genres, from blues to jazz to reggae to rock, that you cannot put a finger on their music. They can play anything and they are the tightest band around right now. Go see them live and you will be amazed and don't listen to "tyler"

Local Band does OK is a superb album, all the way through. It is a must have for your collection. The quality of this disc throughout is exceptional, and I'm excited to see what comes next for Umphrey's!

In the knowledgable words of Richard Gehr, "At this point, no one else on the jam scene, with the arguable exception of Garaj Mahal, is doing anything else as ambitiously musical as Umphrey's McGee."

For the whole review, please link to: http://www.villagevoice.com/issues/0245/gehr.php

Desert island disk for sure,

BandFan in Illinois.

I can't say enough about this band. They play the widest variety of music I have ever heard from one band. From the vocal hooks of the opening Andy's Last Beer to the mind-boggling closing instrumental Nothing Too Fancy the whole album is amazing. I can honestly say that Nothing Too Fancy is the most impressive guitar work I've ever heard packed into one song. You can't go wrong with a band that has two guitarist that can both make you scratch your head.

Sexy album. I have seen Umphreys a number of times, and have quite a bit of their music, and this is my go to when I want some Umphreys. I like it better than Anchor Drops (which is also great), because it feels a little more open and free, AD can get dense and heavy at times (which is good, because it doesn't just sound like more of the same).

I like the use of acoustics as lead guitars in Uncle Wally and Water. Andy's Last Beer is a song anyone will like. Ringo, Roulette and Hurt Bird Bath are very very sexy, but my favorite song (which I have yet to hear live) is 2nd Self, mainly because of the last minute of so, which is a nice little guitar jam...BUT IT, LISTEN TO IT!

(and read the liner notes, they're fun)

I am from South Bend, IN, which some of you may know as Umphrey's first home before moving to Chicago. They were great then and they are even better now. I recently saw them perform at Bonnaroo and they easily put on one of the most energetic performances of the weekend. This CD is excellent and you will definitely enjoy it.

Umphrey's McGee I had the pleasure of accidently finding myself seeing them open for Leftover Salmon in 2000 when I was just 15. I have been hooked ever since. They bring energy to shows and their music. On top of that, they write some of the most complex structures, and are amazing musicians. Jake Cinninger is one of the greatest guitarists I've ever seen. Unlike countless other jambands, they never meander and bore you on stage. Everything MOVES and FLOWS......

This album you will think is OUTSTANDING if you have never heard the band before. If you have, you know what they are capable of and you will think its great. The acoustic beauty of Uncle Wally, and Water mixed with Headphones and Snocones' wonderful jazzy groove, Blue Echo's gorgeous trance, Hurt Bird Bath and Nothin Too Fancy's intricate rockin' jammin', and 2nd Self's toe-tappin' sing along make this album worth havin' for any fan of GOOD MUSIC.

If it helps convince you I have good musical taste, my other favorite bands include Radiohead, Kingsbury Manx, Ben Folds, and Sound Tribe Sector Nine but none of them come close to Umphrey's for me!