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Here's some more Umphrey's Chatter. they've finally put up a page for the new record.

http://www.umphreys.com/safety/

Right now they're streaming Women, Wine and Song. I really appreciate the fidelity, and can pick out Huey Lewis' vocal contributions much more readily than on the radio sourced mp3 I picked up. It's nice.
posted by Ben at (0) comments 4:08 PM

 
I must say that his past weeks episode of Battlestar Galactica was quite impressive. The Cylon focused piece offered incredible insight into characters and motivation, without getting bogged down in esoteric cultural specifics. It also opens up some interesting potential plot lines, and clearly deepens the complexity of the series antagonists. I can't even say villains. It BSG. I haven't seen a black or white hat on any character.

I'm continually impressed by the way the show draws its strength in generalizations, and not in nerdy little details. Of course, it does so while maintaining incredible cognizance that the challenge of the show and a central conflict for all of the characters is that it is a resource limited show.

The fleet is limited in terms of fuels, luxuries, general supplies, medicines, etc. The Cylons only have 12 humanized models to limit paranoia plots and to keep the "Oh my, they're a Cylon" reveals from becoming cliche.

The last few episodes of this season should be a real treat. A candle of hope continues to burn in the swirling storm of chaos and darkness.

Maybe the 3rd season will keep a Cylon occupied Caprica thread in each episode, as was the case in the first season. It would be great for that thread to develop slowly and explode instead of waiting half a season for updates.
posted by Ben at (0) comments 3:57 PM

 
Continuing my format of having a beer blog and a live music blog, avoiding any self reflection. Here's a post about a certain rock band from Chicago.

There's a promo track from Safety In Numbers on LiveMusicBlog. Liquid probably isn't the most representative track, as it's a Jake sung, down tempo number, but it does definitely indicate that the new record will be dark, brooding and freaky. I've always liked the song, dating back to poor audience recording of a Jake solo acoustic show. I enjoyed the version on Ali Babba's Tahini's Rockstars and Lawnmowers, but figured that where the song would stop. If UM hadn't picked it up yet, when would they get around to it?

I wasn't to impressed with this take on first listen, but after playing it 3-4 times on repeat, I kept finding more layers in the recording. The Beatles influence is strong with this one, stronger than any UM release. I really enjoy the drumming and percussion, but am still wrapping my brain around Jake's guitar part. Maybe there's too much flanger.

EDIT: So it looks like my original link was pulled, as it was an unauthorized leak. Who would plug unauthorized leaks on the bort (the official, unofficial message board)? Please enjoy this lovely MP3 from the song's debut at a Jake solo show in January 04 http://s55.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=2HJ9DHM2WAOWX3QSVP5K83KBHT
posted by Ben at (2) comments 1:29 PM

 
Now that I'm off tour, done bottling, and otherwise have finished being too busy to update here are from pics from last weekend's pre-blizzard hike. Kate took most, if not all of them as I am camera less.













Ben, Kate and I planned to climb Garfield, but didn't realize that our access road would be closed for seasonal annoyance. Since we were on a schedule, we didn't feel like hoofing the extra 2 mi round trip, and plan b-ed it to Cannon. (Lonesome Lake -> Kinsman Ridge) (Yes, we had a decentralized planning scheme, both Bens picked hikes and we ended up doing both of them, and getting BenC home in time for his date, and us in Hudson in time to celebrate my father's birthday.

The hike was nice. It was almost warm, but there was a chilling breeze and a very clear day. We could see the spires on Mt Washington from Cannon (which is unusual as the slightest haze should obscure the thin antennae, and Mt,. Washington is the home of the world's worst weather. Fortunately, that weather had gone on a nice vacation to Washington DC).

The snow was hard pack and a bit slick. I would have liked my crampons for most of the scent, but it wasn't quite bad enough to justify the effort in putting them on. There was one bad patch of ice on the Kinsman Ridge trail. It's frozen stream crossing and is bad every time I do the hill in winter, but this one was the worst. It would have been a non-issue with crampons, but they were strapped to my back and not my feet.

The views were excellent, with a clear panorama of at least 3 states and Canada.

My father's birthday party was nice. It was great to sit down with everyone in the family and just chat for hours. There were no diversions, no schedules, and an aborted plan to watch a movie. It was excellent. Pat's doing interesting things. There's a wedding to plan, and some drama associated with that. It's lots of fun.
posted by Ben at (0) comments 11:02 AM

 
Umphrey's McGee
02.18.06 - Starland Ballroom, Sayreville, New Jersey
Set One: Hurt Bird Bath > Sweetness > Hurt Bird Bath, 2nd Self, Utopian Fir, Sociable Jimmy, Atmosfarag > Water, Making Flippy Floppy
Set Two: Pay the Snucka, The Fussy Dutchman*, Dump City > "Jimmy Stewart"** > Dump City, Women Wine and Song, Hajimemashite, Slacker, Ringo$
Encore: Andy's Last Beer
Notes:
* with The End tease
** with Down Under tease; with lyrics
$ with Don't Fear the Reaper tease

02.17.06 - Nokia Theatre, New York, New York
Set One: Bridgeless, Passing, Nothing Too Fancy > "Jimmy Stewart" > Bright Lights, Morning Song, 2x2 > Nothing Too Fancy
Set Two: Breathe$ > Got Your Milk (Right Here), The Triple Wide > Anchor Drops > piano solo > 40's Theme, Much Obliged > Pipeline > Much Obliged > Breathe reprise, Syncopated Strangers > "Jimmy Stewart" > Syncopated Strangers, Plunger
Encore: Divisions
Notes:
$ dub version, a la 12.31.05; with Roundabout (Yes) tease


We're off Umphrey's Tour until May, but it was a sweet ride. Kate and I both feel providence was the top show of our run, but there were excellent moments in both NYC and New Jersey. I mean just look at that second set from the Nokia. Wow. Also, for those stats junkies we saw three shows (and skipped a gig between n=1 and n=2) and only saw a single song, Passing, twice.

Musically, I felt that the NYC show was fiery on paper, but delivered a bit more cleanly that I would have hoped. The acoustics at the Nokia are crisp, bright, and maybe a bit over reliant on digital compression. It took a few songs for the band to figure out what worked in the room. It was techno, delicate drum parts, and clean guitars. This was not a venue for high gain distorted guitars blowing skulls apart. They just sounded a bit sterile.

Fortunately, the starland ballroom had no such pa. we grabbed spots right on the rail, feet from Bayliss, and remarked about how it'd been a long time since we were this close to the band (probably 11/03). It was also the first time I actually heard Bayliss strum his guitar while tuning. He has a foot switch to mute the instrument. We were that close.

Someone popped the pressure relief valve at the Sayreville gig. The band just played. It didn't have the epic feel of Providence, but worked nicely. I especially enjoyed the tomfoolery for the second set. They started with Pay The Snucka, a tune that vamps on some Eminem while the boys sing in self mockery, and eventually winds its way to speed metal. There were jokes about sounding too much like INXS. The doors tease was silly. The Dump City stewart started off with jazz trio wankery between Jake, Joel and Kris, while the rest of the band looked on and plotted some madness that almost sounded like "Down Under" only more reggae with improvised lyrics. It was silly fun. And the slacker closer was a great treat. They played all of my big song favorites from UM 2000. (I wasn't too into All in Time until after Jake joined).

It was sweet, and offered us the opportunity to spend some time in New York City. Kate hadn't spent any time there, and I haven't spent much. We hit a beer bar, a few restaurants, and the Guggenheim but spent most of our time walking around getting a feel for the city. Our hotel was in midtown, a few blocks from Grand Central and a few blocks from Times Square. We could get anywhere without real effort.

Kate didn't have a list of things she wanted to see, and was more intersted in walking around getting a feel for things. We have better ideas of things we'd like to do. It was too cold to walk across the Brooklyn Bridge, so we'll probably try that some other time. I'd like to visit the Brooklyn Brewery, knowing full well that everything of theirs I drink is contract brewed in Utica.

I doubt we'll see anymore turkeys in Battery Park.
posted by Ben at (0) comments 9:49 AM

 
Umphrey's McGee
February 15th, 2006
Lupo's
Providence, RI

I.

Walletsworth, Prowler, Passing, White Man's Moccassins, Visions of Parin-> "Jimmy Stewart"-> Phil's Farm, The Bottom Half

II.

Padgett's Profile-> Higgins-> Padgett's Profile, Resolution->"Jimmy Stewart"*, Nopener (lounge), Tribute To The Spinal Shaft, The Crooked One, Wife Soup

E: Front Porch** -> Hysteria

* w/ lyrics
** w/ Uninvited (Alanis Morrisette) teases

It's been 4 months or so, since Kate and I last saw Umphreys. Also at Lupos in Providence. We hopped I-95 and drive straight for midweek bliss. the internet was a buzz that this tour was hot, and I think they were understating the band's position.

Umphrey's played with a confidence and an intensity I had not seen. there were hints last fall, when a few songs felt truly epic. - Of course, by epic i mean have that certain something, best exemplified by the opening of Mike's Song. Its' not just the composition, but the weight of the notes, and the fact that everyone on stage and off knows that awesomeness is about to ensue.

Umphrey's played like that most of the night, while taking some huge risks and taking their stewarts into unstructured and loose places that I haven't seen them venture in front of east coast crowds. It paid off well. There were some incredible sections. The highlight of the show was the Resolution. There was a key change and a jam within the song that took my by surprise, and really elevated the mood in the crowd and hit me. It was the perfect music for the time, and has easily the biggest hose I’ve experienced at a UM show. Right up there with 5/18/00’s Celtic Alleluia, the first time I saw Glory in Cleveland, and the Albany Last Train Home. These were all simple melodies rising from extravagant dissonance.

Bayliss seemed happier than I've ever seen him. Ever. He must have worked through whatever personal problem brought him down last year. (I think it was a divorce, but I'm not really sure.) The band is doing a better job of separating their public and private lives.

Last night was, as Kate said, a show that makes us glad we’re seeing more.

Also UM announced a 5/6/06 gig in Beantown at the Avalon. It’s a proper Saturday show, and I expect incredible representation.
posted by Ben at (0) comments 12:34 PM

 

So, Anheiser Busch launched Herestobeer.com to bolster the reputation of beer in society.  It's a flashy website, that isn't overtly plugging AB products.  The recipes tend to call for American lagers at the exclusion of other styles, but otherwise it's an interesting starting point.  They have a goofy, blog style quiz in the tavern section to pick out your favorite beer style.  It pegged me as a porter guy, so there might be something to it.  

Anyway, I liked the commercial and would like to say... Here's to beer!
posted by Ben at (0) comments 11:29 AM