Umphrey's McGee - Safety in Numbers

Genre rock Publisher Sci Fidelity Records External Links Official Umphrey's McGee Website Official Sci Fidelity Records

Umphrey's McGee is primarily known as a jam band sextext - a band whose safe haven is the live show. It's a tad unusual and usually requires great patience to listen to a jam band's studio recording. Safety in Numbers proves that they can both provide an impressive live show based on improvisation as well as a studio album which interludes every genre of music through a variety of musical instruments.

The opening track, "Believe the Lie" opens immediately at an uptempo pace and plunges you into a quick and repetitive rhythmic styling. At 6:56, it is a very long listen - but if it were any shorter then they wouldn't be true to themselves. Despite the length, every musical layer of the song is very strong. From the guitar muting to the keyboards and to the vocal style, it all comes together. "Women Wine and Song," the sixth track is certainly the best on the album. It has blues, rock, and is incredibly catchy - and it is just under four minutes long! There are multiple vocal arrangements, soloing harmonicas, and a country meets folk meets rock meets blues guitar melody. "Intentions Clear" immediately follows "Women Wine and Song" and lures you into the music with tremendous saxophone soloing. If you were to purchase the album, these two songs make it all worth it.

Safety In Numbers is a great release from a jam band, it isn't a classic, but it surely is something jam fans should experience. If the band wants to break into the mainstream, it'd be helpful to cut the tracks shorter and apply even more hooks. Umphrey's McGee proves with this album that they can write great hooks; now they just need to learn how to apply them.