Many think of Umphrey's McGee as the ADD-afflicted prog-metal jamband, but with their second SCI Fidelity LP, it's quite evident that this group has reached a new level of maturity. 'Safety in Numbers' finds this Chicago-based sextet honing their skills & whittling down their massive song-writing technique into tasty little pop nuggets. Although the tracks on this album weigh in between four & seven minutes, even the longer numbers tend to have a lean precise feel that shows no sense of the typical meandering found with most songs from the generically described jam-band genre. The multi-sectional bread & butter of their prog influence can be found on a couple of 'Safety's' tracks (namely the opening "Believe the Lie" & the frustrated regret-filled "Words"), but they also leave room for songs with a more direct approach.
Although the album has its moments of exciting aggressive tracks - like the huge build of "Ocean Billy" & refreshingly concise "Nemo", the real beauty of this album can be found in the more focused & poignantly somber songs, such as "Rocker", "Intentions Clear" & "Passing". The album was shaped, in part, by the loss of a close personal friend of the band & the previously mentioned tracks "Passing" & "Rocker" serve as a tribute to his memory. Not confined to the tracks directly inspired by their personal tragedy, the LP permeates with heart-felt feelings of loss and the poignancy held with in their lyrics & delivery drives home this point, while enveloping the listener in a blissful musical journey.
"Safety In Numbers" was originally conceived as a 'Use Your Illusions' meets 'In Your Honor'- style double album (one acoustic & one electric), but that concept was abandoned & the album now represents the best from those two discs.
The ambitious "Believe the Lie" should prove to be our current administration's favorite with its theme of "truthieness" which lies in its mantra of "believe the lie & it will all come true". This number has its roots in one of Umphrey's most beloved live rituals - the "Jimmy Stewart". Named after the suite where the exercise was first created, "Jimmy Stewarts" offer the live music fan a glimpse into one the song-writing approaches used by UM. Often more than once per performance, Umphrey's McGee will launch into this unique form of improv, but with the help of careful attention & gestures the group will make these spontaneous creations seem composed as they move back and forth between multiple parts of a given "jam" - from time to time lyrics will make their way into one of these creations. Many times, these freshly written songs will be left in the venue of their creation (never to be heard again), but when it works out right, you might see a theme repeated in subsequent "Stewarts" & eventually a complete song may form. Having witnessed first hand the creation of "Lie," I can tell you that it can be quite amazing to see a song literally written in front of a live audience & then have the opportunity to hear a song nurtured [through repeated live performances] into an amazing complete form [as represented by this album] is truly a unique gift.
As I mentioned earlier, this aggressive style of song is delicately balanced by acoustic songs like "Rocker" & "End of the Road". "Rocker" finds Brendan Bayliss singing heart-wrenchingly somber lyrics - "And it's hard to break the habits that we make, but don't you know that life can take it from you anyway. If I could say it again, I'd make you remember when all the things we shared were unimpaired by anything" beautifully accompanied by strings & crying slide.
True to form, Umphrey's brings a couple of guests to the table. The first single "Women, Wine & Song" briefly steps away from the central theme of the album & offers a lighter moment of southern-rock. Accompanied by the harmonica & vocal styling of the News's Huey Lewis, this track shows that Umphrey's can tackle any style of music & with their mastery of musical transformation may just be able snag a few popsters' ears in the process. "Intentions Clear" enlists the accomplished jazz saxophonist Joshua Redman to embellish on this upbeat look at issues of trust & its weight on relationships - "Once or twice it would be nice to see you, even if I don't believe you."
As a whole, 'Safety In Numbers' proves to be perfect & organic progression in the life of this ever-evolving musical beast. Taking the experiences that life deals us all, Umphrey's McGee is able to produce an art that can truly be felt & [although sad at times] enjoyed. This album shows that beauty can be produced from even life's toughest moments & that one must always move forward & let our experiences push us to grow. Assembling a wonderful array of influences and a truly unique approach to song-craft, Umphrey's McGee delivers their most mature and complete album to date.

By Matt Kanable

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