Ume
Sunshower
Pretty Activity
9/10
There is grunge, and then there is Ume. Their most recent album Sunshower is a short five track EP that is a far cry from a full album- yet each packs a punch, or should I say a handful of buckshot. Lauren Larson’s silky steel vocals, and husband Eric’s eviscerating handiwork on guitar make good on that. The result is a tight album that is as visceral as it is experimental.
Case in point: “East of Hercules.” The opener is a full-throttle experiment in musical Armageddon. Throughout the three minute and eighteen second song, Eric’s brutal, jangly chords and Lauren’s ripe, expressive vocal range give voice to the pent-up anger of the lyrics. Think Joan Jett with a ‘roided up Mike Mills on guitar. In contrast, “Sunshower” is a slow, ponderous, cryptic piece that is a haunting as it is beautiful. It’s like Coldplay’s “Spiders” except written by a female Michael Stipe.
Much can be said about the band’s musical range, or the talented vocals of Mrs. Larson. What really drives them is the tightness of the chords, and the rat-tat-tat-tat of drummer Jeff. Listening to the album, it’s easy to mistake it for vintage grunge from fifteen years ago, not a band from the present. Call it a time warp, but it’s a pleasant time warp nevertheless.
If only it were a full album than an EP- five tracks is not enough. We need more tracks, more strange vocals! How else are we to have our taste of distorted (yet tastefully done) guitars?! Hopefully a full CD is in the works. Guess we have to cross our fingers on that one.
Anyway, if there is any money lying around on the dresser or something, run out and buy this album. And if you got a Pay Pal account, even better. It’s that good. Just be prepared to salivate later.
-John Winn