Review and news hub for movies, music and video games

Movie:		7.0
Picture:		6.0
Sound:		7.0
Extras:		3.0
Score:		6.0

Director(s):	Joe Thomas
Writer(s):	none
Starring:	Umphrey's McGee
Genre:	Concert Film
Website:	http://www.soundstagedvd.com
Release Date:	June 02, 2009

List Price:	DVD - $17.99
Amazon:

The connotation of a “jam band” usually gets wildly different reactions—some love 'em and others can't stand 'em. But while the label usually summons images of crunchy guitars, psychedelic noodling and long, long (and long) musical exercises, “jam band” could really mean any number of musical enterprises that prefer freeform expression over concise pop songs. South Bend's Umphrey's McGee is one such band. They get the Soundstage treatment here on a concert DVD that broadcasts a two hour show recorded in '08 and premiered on PBS on February 5, 2009. No strangers to live shows (or recordings), they've been around since 1997, have released about a half dozen live CDs and DVDs, and play an average of about a hundred shows a year. At this point, they have the finesse and craftsmanship fitting of their multi-faceted nature.

Every good setlist starts a show out on a high note, and this performance peaks early. The first two tracks are “Ocean Billy” and “Higgins.” My knowledge of the band's catalog is a bit limited, but those two are my favorites, and they tear 'em up. “Ocean Billy” stretches on for some twelve minutes (typical of the stereotypical jam band) but never once starts to drag. “Higgins”'s solos are close cousins to the former, so extending the workout with that followup keeps spirits high (and necks cracking to the lurching rhythms). These two songs last more than twenty minutes by themselves, so it was smart to progress from there at a sharp rate—“Got Your Milk (Right Here)” is easily one of the briskest songs of the evening, galloping at a quick clip and satisfying with a catchy rhythm.

After the early triumphs, though, the show starts to crawl. There's an awkward “commercial break,” where a transition forces a screen still of the presentation's name to linger on the screen for a few moments. At this point, the somewhat uglier side of “jam band” nature rises. While there's no doubt over the technical expertise of each of the band members, the extended workouts at this point seem to be searching for a great groove that eludes their grasp. There are keyboard flourishes, a guitar and bass back-and-forth, bongo solo and other interesting little bits that float around without much drive or energy. Wide angle shots that show the crowd in front of the stage embellish this—there's not a lot of bounce in their posture during this section. That they're huddled together on their feet is part of the problem—the DVD advantage is that I was able to watch it sprawled out comfortably. But the fact remains that for about thirty minutes, the music serves better as background niceties instead of an engaging rock show.

Right around the hour mark, the show comes alive once more, especially when the guitarist and keyboardist inch close and let their fingers fly, raising the volume and density both. The energy wanes quickly after that, but the juice gives the next passages a more playful and evocative quality that earlier seemed a bit lugubrious. “Believe the Lie” has a great crunchy stop-start riff (you half-expect a great white to crash the stage) and “Morning Song” has a strong vocal performance from a mostly instrument-driven band, but the second half also has occasional meandering periods where you long for a few more traditional arrangements to reinvigorate you. “Glory” makes for a fine finish, though, and as a four-minute rocker that raises the decibel level and quickens the pulse, it ends the show on a stirring note.

The music itself is strongly influenced by smooth psychedelia, rambling prog rock, jazz and reggae, flecked with hints of ska and soul music. They list the Police as one of their inspirations, which makes sense since there's a taste of Sting in the vocal inflections and the white reggae thump prevails many of the best moments. Other times they sound like Blues Traveler and Yes, the former for the lumbering, bluesy rhythms and the latter for the playful keyboard that really comes alive at several junctures. But really, not many bands sound like Umphrey's McGee, taking the perfectly structured randomization of progressive music and letting it wander in the more spontaneous and improvisational nature of jamming.

Faithful followers of the band will find this to be an essential addition, but the rest of us may mourn a lack of visual delights. Most of the best concert DVDs feature great stage shows, whether they be of the theatrical variety or that of crazy pyrotechnics or sheer enthusiasm by the musicians in a full-bodied performance. But despite instrumental mastery, Umphrey's McGee doesn't really move, and apart from a few moments, the musicians feel sealed off from one another, playing off the music but not each other. As for the stage and backdrop, it's pretty barren except for a few column-like monitors that mostly just graze through bland stills of nature and tic off the band's name. I imagine I could grow to appreciate the songs more, but it will never be a particularly memorable feast for the eyes.

DVD Bonus Features

Two bonus tracks performed at a different venue: “Made to Measure” and “Wizard Burial Ground.” The DVD was captured in High-Definition and mixed in 5.1 Surround.