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CD review: Umbrellas
By Shannon Yoshida
syoshida@mscd.edu

Umbrellas Illuminaire (The Militia Group, 2006)

Umbrellas won’t keep anyone dry during a thunderstorm this season.

Caught in an identity crisis, it’s clear the six musicians of Umbrellas merely mimicked common-ground beats and generic lyrics, falling far short of innovation on their second release, Illuminare.

The album starts off strong, making it obvious that the first track, “Boston White,” is the album’s single. Playing through each song, however, the same unchanging sound keeps presenting itself. Each number begins with a catchy, dreamy effect, making everything feel like it’s floating on a cloud of fluff instrumentals.

Nathan Price’s soft, distant drumbeat is overshadowed by James McAlister’s tedious, repetitive keyboard rhythms. His electronic enhancement destroys the music in the long run.
Chad Copelin’s fluid guitar playing builds up the rare and often short piano additions from Ryan Lindsey. Eric Arndt’s bass is barely noticeable, and Scott Windsor’s creepy attempt to be “a real sweet guy” comes off more as a stalker’s serenade.

“Thinking of You” is Windsor’s version of “Roses are red,” with lyrics such as, “I can’t sleep at night/ I’m still thinking of you/ And when you’re away/ I’m so blue/ I’m thinking of you.” The taunting background vocals have the intensity to suggest the song will actually get interesting, but it never does.

On track eight, Windsor’s echoing vocals come off as irritating rather than original. The song is ultimately saved by a 15-second piano solo that resembles ragtime, the only sort of substance in the track.

The substandard lyrics and the dominating electronic noise, which cover up their actual music, rule out any chance Umbrellas ever had. They would be a good fit for the radio, as they are just a mix of the usual slew of noise heard there.