It's Not Us

I do love this return to the um-past diversity of this release. I wasn’t to keen on the last one, but maybe over time my conclusions will alter. This just has that Umphreys jag. The killer pulls and tears. The zazzed up jazz and the blues are a kick. Find this a gem.

I keep, ‘purchasing’ but nothing ever downloads. Should I buy 1 song at a time until all bought? I heard clips on WXRT in Chicago and I am soooo in... please Mr. Cook, look into this for me. Plea eee eee eeease (sobbing).

I’ve seen and heard a few of these songs live before, but never put to album. This is definitely their most polished, flowing, cohesive and surprising album yet. I listened to it and couldn’t help but think that they’ve outdone themselves this time. 5/5

Straight 🔥🔥🔥

Entertaining album from the always amazing Umphreys Mcgee. This one mixes all the Umph love into one delicious stew. You will be dancing, head banging, playing air guitar/drums and most of all smiling when you listen to this. These virtuosos funnel all their talent into fun and joyous music. May they continue to melt faces across the nation...

Just listened to it four times back to back. Solid, great album. Can’t wait to hear it live!

If you've never heard them, and like Pink Floyd, Tool, and the Allman Brothers, buy this album and get to know this band. I've seen the band 13 times, and will see them many more. Their Hall of Fame compilations are instant downloads for me the day they come out. I didn't know whether to go with 4 or 5 stars, because UM at 4/5 is better than 99% of other music. This record is sharp musically and lyrically. Nearly all songs have you wanting more. I'm usually not a huge lyrics guy, but there are some well-crafted ones on here (IMO UM has underrated lyrics). You can tell which songs were Brendan Bayliss' and which ones were Jake Cinninger's (they're the bands two guitarists). Track by track: -Silent Type- the band has incorporated this melody into various improvisations of different live staples. I was never a big fan, to be honest, but this studio treatment works. Polished with great synth work from Joel. -Looks- odd, heavy, teasing, with dissonant sections, it's awesome. Let's see this fleshed out live. The tom drums and Stasik's bass are stellar. -Whistle Kids- saw a review on the website thebort that this tune is nice and loose, which I agree with. Nice groove and pocket from the rhythm section. The whistling came from an all-improv set they did a few years back. -Half Delayed- one of the many tunes on the album that leaves you wanting much more. Killer groove, nice peak. Like Looks, this track would be better if it were longer. -Maybe Somebody- perhaps the best track. The guitars meandering around each other with different grooves at the song's apex makes you move your body. Part of this song appeared in a 2014 Miss Tinkle's Overture. The song features a number of different sections. UM does this masterfully. -Remind Me- it's beginning doesn't really grab you. The heavy dual-guitar riff two-thirds of the way through, for lack of a better word, rocks. Synth adds a great element. I'm not a huge fan of the final guitar parts, but they work in the context of the song. -You and You Alone- reminds me of a Beatles' tune (I think I saw this posted somewhere). Not an exciting song, but a well-written song. Quality lyrics that are heartfelt without being cheesy. Could bring a live show to a grinding halt, but it works here. Maybe the weakest track, but it's still quality. -Forks- a lot going on here. Like Silent Type and Remind Me, it benefits from tightening up in the studio, and from all the different instrumentation. -Speak Up- Joshua Redman is spectacular in every sense of the word. At it's start, this song itself doesn't do a lot for me...but then you're always digging it by the end of the song. Again, Redman is amazing. -Piranhas- doesn't stand out for good or bad reasons -Dark Brush- what's going on here? It's dissonant, uncertain, weird...and wonderful. Echoes of Tool. Percussion and drums are sensational here (as they are on the whole album). I don't even know what's happening half the time (at least I didn't on the first few listens). It's just awesome. This song begs for replays. Love it. Best songs: Maybe Someday, Dark Brush Weakest songs: You and You Alone, Pirhanas Too long didn't read: buy this!

Yeah, maybe you've never heard them, and if not, you should listen. Umphrey's McGee is the hottest live rawk act out there today, after a couple of thousand live shows over the last 20 years. This new album shows what they are made of--with solid songwriting, fiery playing, and a menu of styles from prog to acoustic ballad, to metal, to just solid rawk and roll. It's Not Us pays off big time for UM--with Bayliss, Cinninger, Cummins, Stasik, Myers, and Farag telling evrryone who listens --It really is us. \mm/

Such a great band!!!!!!

This album flows so well, yet doesn't compromise flow for repetitiveness. Each song is so unique and different from the others on the album. Truly a masterful showcase of musicianship.