UM is a band I really like immensely... in fact, I just saw them again last night in Niagara falls ny. There were 4 of us there together & we were ALL blown away! Their sound is jam oriented but with their own unique sound & improv style twist...it gets funky & loose & hard... Get up close if you go see them live & allow yourself to just get intertwined in the music.
I have the wanee covers show too, I give it plenty of circulation in my realm. You can download almost any show they've done.
They're definitely a band I'm making it a point to see more & explore their catalog.

Amy I've found that Umphrey's McGee is a band you either love or hate. No middle ground. They are all great players especially Jake Cininger. I think is one of the best guitarists today. However, this is the rub with them IMO I'd love to hear him cut loose in a traditional solo. Unfortunately you tend to get just some sonic bursts while their songs continually change tempos, structures etc. I really prefer their Anchor Drops and Strength In Numbers (my favorite record of the year it came out) CDs. They appeared to be trying to write in a more traditional manner. Although I haven't heard their latest, the last two CDs have been a slight let down IMO. They do have their own rabid fan base who dig their unique approach to music. I'd love to hear their Wanee covers set. I don't know if this helps or not. 😉

Like many jambands, I like some of their stuff any don't like others. I can count The Dead, Phish, moe., and String Cheese among other bands for which I can say the same thing. There is no denying how gifted there are musicianship-wise, but they get into "math-rock" quite a bit in their jams. It's angular and can get heavy, and much of the time, it just doesn't speak to me. This coming from a guy who listens to his fair share of Kind Crimson as well. I find that I dig about a third of the stuff on each of their albums (except Death By Stereo as I don't recall liking anything on it). I made my own best of sort of thing and really enjoy it. The All Night Wrong show was a load of fun. Seeing anything on the woods stage at the Spirit of Suwannee Park is a treat, though.

Done rambling.

I have a few shows that are from several years ago..I tend to skip some songs while listening in the car...I either really like their songs/jams or I don't...I don't dislike those..they just get a little redundant...Overall I like them...btw they come out of Chicago

For the most part I like them, but at times they rely on a little too much keyboard.

I've seen them 14 times, which has been every time but 1 they've played near Reno or at festivals I've been to. As others have said, they're excellent musicians, especially Jake. They've become much more of a heavy metal progressive rock jam band the last couple of years rather than just the prog jam band they used to be. Their vocals have a bit to be desired but they don't sing much of a show anyhow & I honestly don't know any of their lyrics. Last I can say about them is that no other jam band attracts just about all guys remotely like UM.

There are links to 83 complete UM concert videos @ http://musicphotographics.com/VIDEOS/complete_concert_videos_streams_umphreys.htm, starting in 2002. Knock yourself out!!

Just saw them tonight and it was a great show. It took me awhile to get into them but I'm really glad I did. Seeing them again on November 6th and probably next January in Detroit. Outside of the ABB and related bands they probably are my favorite band.

If you want to check out a good album I would say give Mantis a listen.

I'd echo what IPowrie has just said. I really liked the Mantis album when it came out, but just couldn't get into their other work. However, this year something just clicked with me, and now i can't listen to anything else!! I saw two shows in London in the summer, and they knocked me off my feet, superb musicians, but yes, they can be something of an acquired taste.

And the new album, Similar Skin, is the best thing to be released this year...by a distance.

RenoSteve thanks for that link, sir!

Umphreys came over to the UK on a rare visit this year..have to say I thought they were superb. In fact unless something amazing happens before Christmas, It is my gig of the year. They seem to be able to play just about anything. Jake Cinninger is a brilliant guitar player too. I agree their vocals can be a bit shaky. The new CD Similar Skin is fantastic. There were two bonus tracks which didnt make the album, Morning song being the best in my opinion.

Umphreys came over to the UK on a rare visit this year..have to say I thought they were superb. In fact unless something amazing happens before Christmas, It is my gig of the year. They seem to be able to play just about anything.

What Al said ^^, and we were at different nights! They were awesome live and gave it their all, even in front of a very sparse crowd in London.

IMO I'd love to hear him cut loose in a traditional solo. Unfortunately you tend to get just some sonic bursts while their songs continually change tempos, structures etc.

He goes off pretty hard here....but I know what you mean by that for sure.