Reggie  (1/8/2012 10:56:03 PM)

Wait, I cnanot fathom it being so straightforward.

   @Mike  (8/14/2010 12:10:21 PM)

You are not a die-hard Umphrey's fan. If you were, then you would know this: Studio does not = Live. The studio album is sick, and the live performance is even sicker. And you would also know that bands are always changing their style. If you want the same god damn album every time then you're on your own. No one wants the same fucking album over and over again. Get some fucking music IQ .

   steve  (8/19/2009 9:02:07 PM)

mike is garbage, dont listen to him this new ablum is just the shit, i dont even need to talk about it just find out, and forget about mike.

   Mike  (3/26/2009 9:19:04 AM)

Andrew, that would be great if this album was actually progressive. Explain to me how the song Mantis, Red Tape, Prophecy Now, Cemetary Walk II, Made to Measure, etc.. are progressive. Seriously, expain to me what makes them progressive.

Furthermore, the reason Umphreys has attained fans is by playing the jam music they have been playing for about 10 years. when they make such a drastic change from jam music to bubble gum 80's shit, the real fans will be disappointed. I dont know how I can make it any clearer to you.

This album is garbage. Period.

   Andrew  (2/4/2009 4:59:09 PM)

Yeah this goes out to mike
your review with your "points" is a load of bullshit.

"Releasing an album that contains none of that influence is a slap in the face to any real fan"
-Mike

^are you fucking kidding me?
They are a progressive rock band. They are not required to put out music that sticks solely to the "jam band" genre. they put out what THEY like and a "real fan" should understand that. things change. this is an excellent album. period.

   shayneless  (2/3/2009 8:09:40 AM)

ok for those bashing mantis. YOU ARE FUCKING DEAF and oblivious to the significance of the album. they didnt try any of these songs on the road first because they wanted to try something NEW. and if such diehard fans shud regognize a few stews that shadow into the album. but again those bashing this album are deaf and shud maybe consider basket weaving or racoon watching instead of listening to umphreys. MANTIS= GIFT FROM GOD

   mgouker  (1/28/2009 5:58:48 AM)

I really enjoyed Mantis. After a few listens I am very impressed. There are some monstrous songs that will really grow during the tour. A dip into the bonus material (so much there!) provides a great study into how this was concocted! Thanks Umphrey's McGee for making big promises, building enormous anticipation, and then DELIVERING!

   Mike  (1/27/2009 5:22:55 PM)

One of the main reasons I love Umphrey's is because they can play a wide array of music. I love it when umphrey's does their funky breakdowns, or their intense hard rock jams, or the fast paced trance jams, or the groovy jazz fusion style, or whatever it is. I'm tellin ya, 60% of this album sounds like bad 80's music. I have a few points to make here;

1. If Umphrey's is truly influenced by 80's music, why have they waited until now to truly show it?
2. The die-hard Umphrey's fans, such as myself, were reeled into their music that appeals to the jam band fans. Releasing an album that contains none of that influence is a slap in the face to any real fan
3. I think people have a different understanding of what "bad" 80's music is. good music in the 80's was produced by bands like Pink Floyd. Bad 80's music is the cheesy overdramatic heavily synthesized crap with extremely cheesy vocals. Music that groups like A-Ha would make. Thats the kind of music this album sounds like. Listen to the palm muting with the chord progression in songs like Mantis and Red Tape. Youll see what I mean
4. I was very excited to see how an Umphrey's album where they dont jam would sound live. However, I dont really want to see how these songs are live, with a few exceptions (Cemetary Walk I, Turn and Run and Spires are pretty good. 1348 is a badass song). I was fuckin stoked to hear a 10 minute UM song where they dont jam, not that theres anything wrong with that. But I imagined a song like that by UM to be just plain epic. But when you have them write a song the same way A-Ha wrote "Take on Me", that song wont be good. Espically when it's supposed to appeal to fans that generally dont like that style of music.
5. I have listened to this album at least 8 times all the way through, so dont tell me I havnt listend to it enough or I dont know what I'm talking about. Chances are I've listend to this album more than most people.