Customer Reviews

Safety in Numbers

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Reviewgium - Volume I, issue I

Umphrey's McGee is an unstoppable force that seems to be gaining momentum and popluarity every day. Some would call them a jam band by default, though this is not always apparent in their studio material, particularly Safety In Numbers, which is their most song-based studio release to date. While not the best of their three studio releases, it is still a strong and emotive album, giving no indication that the band is slowing down or losing their incredibly diverse and genre-defying capabilities.

The album has several proggy (but not too proggy) tunes, such as "Believe the Lie," "Nemo," "Passing," and the jazz-laced "Intensions Clear," that provide a familiar fan-pleasing sound as is retained through the band's history. Emotions pour out in the tremendous ballads "Rocker" and "Words," the latter of which in particular proves that Umphrey's McGee does not need lightning-fast solos and extended jam sessions in order to compose incredible songs. The venerable live classics "Ocean Billy" and "Women, Wine, and Song" finally make it on to a studio album, the second of the two featuring a cameo by Huey Lewis (remember that guy...from the 80s?). Concluding the album is the somewhat lack-luster tribute "The Weight Around," which sort of leaves something to be desired, but also reminds that there is much more to come from the almighty McGee.

I would not recommend Safety In Numbers as a first album for new listeners. While it is strong enough to earn an 8.5 from me, it is not an apt representation of the band. That would be Anchor Drops; upon appreciating that album, you can opt to proceed to Safety In Numbers if you prefer the band's more conservative side, or return to their more avant-guarde roots by seeking out Local Band Does OK. Not to mention the seemingly endless stash of live shows they have available for legitimate download.

I am sick and tired of people comparing this band to the Phish or (Please!) The Grateful dead. Umphrey's is nothing like the Grateful Dead and they are most certainly nothing like Phish. The only thing Umphreys shares in common with either of those bands is the idea of the music. That idea being to play something different every night, but I can assure you this is nothing like the old school jammers. I would compare Umphreys to a modern day Yes or King Crimson. They have much more in common with the progrock pioneers than they do with free form jammers like Phish and The Dead. Unfortunately, Phish had the problem of constantly being compared to the dead often as well, but the band members always maintained that there were elements of The Dead in their music but was not all they were about. Just like Phish Umphreys will constantly be compared to the people who were doing things like it before them. Why not just tell it like it is: Jamband influences derive heavily from the idea created by modal jazz musicians such as Coltrane and Davis, and classical oldies like Stravinski and Gershwin. I know you probably think I'm crazy, but progrock comes from an interest in big classical pieces that contained numerous songs in one. A big epic song!
In my opinion there is no point in brushing bands like Umphreys and Phish off as some hippy band playing to stoned idiots everynight. There is more to this music. The only reason people talk negatively about jambands is because they don't have the patience or intelligence to listen to this kind of music. I say: Let the naysayers have their pop music!Hopefully people will wake up someday and come see bands like Umphreys when they decide they don't want they're art spoon fed to them anymore.

I have been listening to ALOT of UM over the past few years and just love them. I love how they don't conform to what pop culture dictates is good. I love how they incorporate distant styles of music into one another (hard rock and jazz on occassion), and now I love how they can put down their crazy guitar riffs for quality song writing. This album is much more heartfelt than their previous albums (which are all great by the way). I feel that had they put out another Anchor Drops I would fear they were going to fall into the same old habits, something to many bands have done, and something that has destroyed so many bands. UM proved that they as musicians are just getting started, and I'm am excited what the coming years wil bring. Overall this is perhaps the most accessible work of the bands, though I would say is the least representative of their body of work. I love it equally with Anchor Drops and Local Band...

Though many of he songs employ acoustic guitar, some even include strings, UM still plays with rhythm and tempos the way they always have, leaving a set of songs that is both fresh, but at the same time don't depart so much they cannot be recognized. I say if you are just starting on UM go with Local Band... since it is more representative, or Anchor Drops, but make sure to pick this up because you will appreciate it so much more knowing where it came from.

Favorite tracks: rocker, liquid, nemo, intentions clear, end of the road, the weight around

I own all three of Umphreys studio releases and this album is slightly different than the first two but it is still very good. Not all the songs are of the fast shredding type but it doesnt really matter. If you like Umphreys than you should without a doubt like this album. Songs like Believe the Lie and Words have a very epic feel to them and are very well written. Nemo is a great intense jam as well. I would advise you to ignore Tom Saleh's review because he really does not seem to know what he is talking about. If you like CD's that you can put in and just let play than this is perfect. I listened to this CD over and over when I got it and enjoyed it everytime. Oh and one more thing, there is something special about the last song on the album as well. I realize that its a simplistic acoustic song but it is very good. In closing, if you like Umphreys then buy the album.

I have been an UM fan for 4+ years now, and like everyone else states, there is no comparing an UM studio album to their live shows (although LBDOK is the closest thing). SIN is a very big step for this band. There really is not one wasted note on the album. I have to admit that I was a bit fearful after I heard the band's descriptions on what the new album sounds like; my worries were quickly put to rest. This is the true description of an "album". Every song is solid in it's own way. The majority of the new material on this album may not translate to their live show very well, but who cares? This band reminds of Phish in the sense that their studio albums were never too representative of their live shows; but I loved both the live shows and studio albums for different reasons. Let go of your UM premonitions, and enjoy this album for what it is - good music.

I bought this album knowing little about Umphrey's, a couple friends mentioned them to me but I have yet to see them live (this will change). I heard a clip of 'Women, Wine and Song' and said I had to have this song on CD. After getting it, it turns out that as good as that song is it is probably my 6th or 7th favorite on this album. The songs seem to grow on you the more you listen to them as well, far superior in the studio as far as lyrics and musicianship to their other jam band brothers. All of the 5 star reviews are not just fanatics trying to hype their band this album is for real. Highlights include Liquid, Nemo, Passing, Intentions Clear, Rocker, Words, WW&S. In other words the whole album is great. Highly recommended for anyone desperately looking for good music in this day and age.

In this effort, they try and dig deeper than their more prog-influenced disc Anchor Drops. AD is a great rendition of their live show, whereas this is a great example of how deep this band is lyrically. To be able to go in the studio and produce something that is both so deep emotionally, and is still enjoyable to listen to without sounding cheesy is a tough task. Umphrey's knocked this one out of the ballpark.

"Safety in Numbers"...the latest release in the Umphrey's McGee catalogue is a perfect bulls-eye shot from the hip studio release. A well constructed fusion of hooks laden with progressive radio friendly riffs from all musicians. A synergistic yet relaxed meeting of ideas, beats, and melody coincide with delicate lead lines from Jake Cinniger (lead) and Brendan Baylis's (vocal and rhythm) arrangements all the while counter-pointed by Andy Farags nothing short of "Rad" auxiliary percussion licks . Umphrey's McGee has once again raised the bar for modern rock listeners and themselves. Considerably more middle of the road and accessible to middle of the roaders with their tracks released on this record, they have this time around interjected a healthy dose of emotion into their songs contents and lyricism. This disk has something to offer for anyone who enjoys Rock, Folk, Progressive, Jazz and or just plain original song craft. Album artwork was completed by Storm Thorgeson famous for such album covers as "Dark Side of the Moon" -enough said. There are guest appearances from Huey Lewis (yes from the News) and Joshua Redman on sax.

There is a warm analog/clean feeling to the entire recording. Vocal harmonies are well accomplished and performed. Brendan Bayliss maintains an energetic and heart-felt detached existential air on upbeat cuts such as "Beleive The Lie" and "Nemo" as he trades verses with pianist Joel Cummings.
There is a cliché phrase in rock music that the drummer and the bassist need to be married. With "Safety in Numbers " seeing the studio debut of Kris Myers on drums and Umphrey's veteran Ryan Stasik on bass, the two work together to lay down a text-book rhythm section on tracks which they appear creating a canvas for the melodies to be painted.

Make it a point to purchase this new release "Safety in Numbers Today" and swing by Umphrey's.com to buy tickets to this bands next proximate performance in your area. No one will not be let down by America's fastest up and coming rock juggernaut-
Umphrey's Mcgee.

I picked this disc up at a Borders last week based on a tune I heard on a college station and it hasn't left my tray since.
I don't mean to pick on the young reviewer below, but he seems to be disappointed that SIN does not sound enough like the Red Hot Chili Peppers, and therefore must by definition be rejected as unsuitable listening. Poor fellow. I guess Chopin, Coltrane, The Beatles, and Hank Williams don't have a chance, since they don't sound much like the RHCPs either.
This is one of those rare CDs that grabs the addiction centers of your brain and has you reaching for the play button as soon as the last track ends. The last time that happened to me was when I discovered Drums & Wires by XTC back in 1981.
If you are anything like me in this respect, you have a wall or two full of cds, LPs, music files, etc, that you've heard a couple of times and went "eh..." occasionally finding a bit of music to hold on to.
I've always broadly considered music as groceries for the brain; I tend to starve without good music. This one little cd is easily worth three-quarters of my music collection and will more than fill my grocery needs for a long time.

I don't know why some people do not give this band more credit. WOW! This album I have been hooked to since it arrived at my door. I have just gotten back into the jamband scene recently and these guys impress me. Their live stuff I hear is even more amazing, but SIN's is definitely a work of art in the studio. Very creative riffs with very tight drumming! Some songs remind me of Yes (Words) or that progressive rock sound. I can only imagine what the album "The Bottom Half" is going to be like. I've definitely pre-ordered that.