UME: Monuments

Ume is set to release Monuments, its follow up to the critically acclaimed Phantoms album, on March 4th, 2014, by Dangerbird Records. The new album, features the talents of Ume's powerful trio of Lauren Larson, on lead vocals and guitar; Rachel Fuhrer, on drums; and Eric Larson, on bass. Ume's sound has been famously described by Travel Channel chef and food critic Anthony Bourdain as, "A shitload of rawk in a tiny little room".

Monuments was recorded in Seattle, Washington at Robert Lang Studios, famous as a favorite recording location for some of the Pacific Northwest's best bands, including: Heart, Queensryche and Nirvana. Monuments was produced by Grammy Award winning producer Adam Kasper (Queens of the Stone Age, Nirvana, Foo Fighters, Cat Power). Together, a talented band and one of the industry's best producers have collaborated in the grunge capital of the world to produce Ume's strongest recording yet.

Lead singer Lauren Larson describes the new sound of Monuments, "For me, each song is a sort of commemoration of a different emotion or experience. One song might make you want to bang your head and the next make you want to hug someone you love. I think it's these wildly different textures that make us a band and make us all human. That's what we wanted to communicate — something honest and different through a rock record". Mission accomplished!

"Black Stone" roars forward like a powerful wave; full of heavy bass and lead guitar riffs fresh from the early '90s Seattle grunge sound that permeated Temple of the Dog. Then Lauren Larson's vocals take the stage, "Caught in a bad, bad way. Some outgrew those crimes. But you had become. Comfortably caught in what you knew. Caught in a bad, bad state". Powerful words and drums combine to take this, the band's initially released teaser single, to the top of any listeners "must albums" list for 2014. The impact is felt immediately and this track is a great draw for the rest of the album. Later Larson sings, "Can I soothe your mind. Damage done, light is gone. Some won't give up til it's won….Some battles are not ever won". Well stated.

"Embrace" opens with Lauren's cool harmonized "ooohs", before she sings, "Calling the ones outside. Crawling behind their eyes. Embrace what's been denied. Let's go!", amidst a rollicking melody and rocking lead guitar, bass, and slamming drums. Then a slicing lead guitar chord repeated for effect. Power jams that will be great to see live on stage. Lauren sings, "Down the road. Move along. Keep us calm. Keep us lost. Move along" as the momentum lifts and shifts driving forward.

"Too Big World" opens with some very cool spacey guitar and keyboard effects, as Lauren sings, "Fall through clouds with the rain. You're not the cause. No, I'm to blame. It's hard to see the stars. When you're caught in the storm". Later she adds more emotions with, "And I tried everything I knew, just to keep us safe. Just to keep from you". The keyboards create that great falling soundscape within which Lauren riffs the power of her lead guitar as Rachel Fuhrer blasts those drums and Eric delivers deep bass.

"Chase it Down" opens like a metal press bending iron. Powerful lead electric riffs glittering across the stage. Power bass drives the engine as thunder drums surround Lauren's soft vocals. Lauren sings, "When we awaken alive. Rest your fears here by my side…Then later, "Are you the one they forgot. Are you the one they love to neglect? Are you the one always left? Are you the one who won't beg for it? Chase it down. Escape extinction's game". The power of the mighty Zep mixed well with the immediacy of a Pearl Jam multi-guitar attack. You can just picture Lauren ripping this one open with guitar. Nice.

"Until the End" slows the pace of the music down so that you can appreciate the deep bass, power drum kit and Lauren's soft voice. Lauren's lead electric solo speeds the metal flowing again as you just know it would. Larson calls out, "I'm wishing you would come to me and hold me as if we always were in love. Until the end".

"Barophobia"is a great departure from past UME albums. Lauren emotionally expresses her fear of falling in love, to softer acoustic guitar and soft drums. Lauren sings, "Love are you still in chains? Lost now beneath the weight of it. And if you want to run tonight. Well I'll be alright. And if you want to say goodbye again. Well I'll be fine". You just have to hear her emotional plea as she sings, "These chains, these chains this heart has made. Now I'm falling fast. I'm falling down". One of the best songs the band has released or written. The guitar work, both bass and lead is excellent. Powerful.

"Revival" Lauren sings, "Got a fire teeming. It's rising to the ceiling. And all our bodies shaking. Taken by the feeling. Apocalyptic meaning. A never ending needing. A fever that's not leaving. Choking while they're feeding". The acoustic guitar, bass and drums are excellent. Then, Lauren sings, "Come along for the ride. There's no end…end in sight. Hold our hands oh so high. I'm so tired. I'm alive. Taken to the other side. Yes, with a great bouncy melody, like a Doors' journey into perception. One of the best tracks on the album.

On "Gleam", Lauren's soft voice opens with, "Before you and I...change. Our minds. And let this go to waste". Pulsing guitar chords, deep bass and drums rumble. Lauren sings, "All that you have is all that you gave. I'm never gonna give up you". Powerful words and music.

"Oh Fate" opens with a drum salute, before deep electric lead pours through like a strong Seattle rain. Lauren's vocals are deeper and more serious as she delivers the darker lyrics. "Yah, I'm ready now…for you. I should have done this long ago". Those deeper, darker chords are simply excellent. The pace picks up as Lauren delivers, "It's in the way that you kiss me. Fade away oh fate". The melody is powerful and direct. Solid metal crashing through.

"Barricade" opens with lead guitar as Lauren sings, "There's no rain. Total wasteland. Decayed. Oh, hollow cold man". Solid lead guitar mixed well with deep bass and rhythmic drumming. The atmosphere is set well. You are surrounded with sound that takes you to moments being described.

Lauren sings, "I wanted to ride. Upon the fierce wild dreams "Within My Bones". "But bitterness roams. Like the hungry lone wolf within my soul. I'd rather not know how much you loved me before you had gone". The acoustic guitar is soft and surrounding her elegant delivery of some of the album's best lyrics.

"Reason" opens with deep piano and soft keys rolling over the melody. A powerful album closer…welcoming you to return for more. Larson sings, "All this madness. The world would have end. For me to forget. Coming back to me". And later she finishes, "You're that sudden moment, when dreams collide. Coming back for me".

Monuments is a strong musical and lyrical statement for Ume. It is a solid powerhouse of a guitar-driven record full of angst and emotional discovery. Get this new journey from Ume and enjoy all of its unique subtleties. Make sure to play this loudly to appreciate the full effect of those magnificent riffs. Enjoy this monument of modern rock.

Track Listing:

1. Black Stone
2. Embrace
3. Too Big World
4. Chase it Down
5. Until the End
6. Barophobia
7. Revival
8. Gleam
9. Oh Fate
10. Barricade
11. Within My Bones
12. Reason

Added: February 11th 2014
Reviewer: Mark Johnson
Score:
Related Link: monuments.umemusic.com/
Hits: 2507
Language: english

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