{"id":118711,"date":"2022-07-05T11:00:25","date_gmt":"2022-07-05T15:00:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dcmusicreview.com\/staging\/?p=118711"},"modified":"2022-07-05T11:21:15","modified_gmt":"2022-07-05T15:21:15","slug":"asking-for-a-friend-talking-about-umphreys-mcgees-new-album-with-joel-cummins","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dcmusicreview.com\/staging\/asking-for-a-friend-talking-about-umphreys-mcgees-new-album-with-joel-cummins\/","title":{"rendered":"Asking for a Friend: Talking About Umphrey\u2019s McGee\u2019s New Album with Joel Cummins"},"content":{"rendered":"

Even after 25 years, Umphrey\u2019s McGee<\/strong> continues to surprise their listeners. The Chicago-based jam band is known for their energetic live shows filled with extensive improvisation and prog-rock stylings, but with the band\u2019s latest album, Asking for a Friend<\/em>, they\u2019ve shown a new layer of sonic range and released a cohesive collection of songs that will reward listeners willing to treat what some would call a departure as an exploration.<\/p>\n

In the meantime, you can find Asking For a Friend<\/em> on any streaming service and wherever music is sold. Joel recommends listening on headphones and big stereo systems.\"Joel<\/span><\/p>\n

Joel Cummins of Umphrey’s McGee<\/p>\n

\u201cThere is something to be said for making a cool, cohesive album in 2022,\u201d said keyboardist Joel Cummins<\/strong> when asked about the band\u2019s process for this album. \u201cIt\u2019s not like the live show, where we\u2019re really striving for improvisational moments that are moving. This is more about architecture and song construction. In a way this is a little bit riskier for us.\u201d <\/p>\n

\"Joel<\/span><\/p>\n

Joel Cummins of Umphrey’s McGee<\/p>\n

The result is a collection of new songs in the Umphrey\u2019s McGee repertoire that rely less on heavy guitar leads and explore new harmonic textures that the band has not attempted on their earlier albums. \u201cOnce we saw where these songs were going, it was easy to figure out what to do. You want them to have some sort of connection with each other.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Brendan<\/span><\/p>\n

Brendan Bayliss and Joel Cummings<\/p>\n

The album begins with a bouncing, ska-infused rhythm to open \u201cI Don\u2019t Know What I Want,\u201d a song that has already found its way into Umphrey\u2019s live shows and features beautiful guitar harmonization in its chorus by guitarists Brendan Bayliss <\/strong>and Jake Cinninger<\/strong>. But the tonal shift in this album is clear in its second track \u201cSmall Strides,\u201d with its elements of dream pop and disco over a steady dub bass line by Ryan Stasik<\/strong>. Regarding the writing process for \u201cSmall Strides\u201d Cummins told us, \u201cThese songs really have the benefit of two and a half years to work with them and continue to listen and come up with new ideas. I remember coming up with some stuff for that one and singing it into my phone and sending it to the band.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Brendan<\/span><\/p>\n

Brendan Bayliss and Joel Cummings<\/p>\n

\"Joel<\/span><\/p>\n

Taking their time with the songs gave them room to breathe that comes through in the final product, and helped allow for new types of collaboration throughout the album. Commenting on his piano solo in \u201cIt\u2019s Not Your Fault,\u201d Cummins shared, \u201cI recorded that on three different pianos and after we\u2019d finally picked the one that was going to work I told Jake, \u2018Dude, there\u2019s some holes in here, so let\u2019s see if we can make this more of a conversation between you and me.\u2019\u201d Together they produce what Cummins called \u201ca pastoral vibe\u201d that provides a backdrop for one of the heavier, prog-rock climaxes of the album.<\/p>\n

\"Joel<\/span><\/p>\n

The album features multiple earworms that will evoke a wide variety of genres and inspirations, and more can seemingly be found on each new listen to this collection of delightfully unusual Umphrey\u2019s tunes. \u201cFenced In\u201d offers a slick, understated groove, one that Cummins said will be fun, but tricky to play live. \u201cThe form is just so confusing. It\u2019s got a bluesy, but groovy vibe. I have no idea what Bayliss was thinking with this one.\u201d Meanwhile, \u201cNew Wings\u201d could be likened to yacht rock, \u201cEscape Goat\u201d offers synth pop with an arena rock guitar solo to bring it home, and \u201cHiccups\u201d provides break-beat rhythms that will keep fans dancing at concerts for years to come.<\/p>\n

\"Joel<\/span><\/p>\n

With Asking For a Friend <\/em>now out in the world, the band will get to explore these songs from a new perspective. Most of the songs from this album haven\u2019t yet been performed live. Cummins describes this as \u201cthe downside of having two and a half years to work on them.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Joel<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019re hard to play!\u201d said Cummins. \u201cThere\u2019s a lot going on vocally that we have to sort out.\u201d The band will have ample time to road-test the songs from this latest release in their discography, one of their most cohesive and unique albums to date. You can catch them touring nationwide — including the band\u2019s first performances in Alaska — this summer.<\/p>\n

To learn more about where you can see Umphrey’s McGee perform live please see their tour schedule here<\/a>.\"Umphrey's<\/span><\/p>\n

Umphrey’s McGee<\/strong><\/p>\n

Asking For A Friend<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Released:<\/strong> July 1, 2022<\/p>\n

Track Listing:<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

1. I Don’t Know What I Want<\/p>\n

2. Small Strides<\/p>\n

3. Always October<\/p>\n

4. Fenced In<\/p>\n

5. New Wing<\/p>\n

6. So Much<\/p>\n

7. Dayville Monarchy<\/p>\n

8. Hiccup<\/p>\n

9. Pure Saturation<\/p>\n

10. It’s Not Your Fault<\/p>\n

11. Escape Goat<\/p>\n

12. How Aout Now?<\/p>\n

13. Ordinary Times<\/p>\n

14. Work Sauce<\/p>\n

Related Articles<\/strong><\/p>\n

Related<\/strong> Articles<\/strong><\/p>\n

Related<\/strong> Articles<\/strong><\/p>\n

Additional  Interviews<\/strong><\/p>\n

Additional Interviews<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n

Additional Interviews<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n

Additional Resources<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Additional Resources<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Additional<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Resources<\/strong><\/h3>\n

To learn more about Umphrey’s McGee<\/strong>, please see the following web resources:<\/p>\n