Umphreys McGee and Phish to be moved

im here to say that Umphrey's McGee should be moved to another genre on this site. possibly eclectic. i recently read a new review of one of their albums (Anchor Drops) and the person gave it 1 star, partially because he was led on to thinking these guys were a pure jazz-rock/fusion band. i can see this happening more often, since a good majority of their music is NOT jazz related at all. These guys play a mix of rock, funk, jazz-rock, metal, guitar shredding (in a jazz, rock, funk, and metal context), not to mention most of their songs have rock-type vocals, which IMO makes it not jazz-rock (im not saying you cant have vocals in jazz).

not to mention other sites and magazines call UMcG progressive rock or jam band (which is another category they fall under) and almost never mention jazz (unless describing certain songs.

the band is more eclectic and varies in what they play. having them under the jazz-rock section is missleading and confusing. whoever put them there, or suggested them be there, may have only heard Nothing Too Fancy, or Andy's Last Beer or whatever.

Im also going to take this opportunity to mention that Phish should not be in prog-related and should also be moved. Ive made this comment before and have tried to get them moved before, but it didnt work, probably because i did not have enough support or not enough people heard their music. this band is another 'jam band' but a good majority of their output is completely prog rock. You Enjoy Myself, The Divided Sky, David Bowie, Reba, Rift, Harpua, the list goes on and on. These are all progressive rock masterpieces and most written in a terrible period for the genre (late 80s).

the fact that they are under a non-prog category is EMBARRASSING! it is common knowledge (if you know Phish's music) that they made some of the best prog rock ever. Unfortunately, many people on this site dismiss them as prog because they may only know OF them (thus thinking they're a Grateful Dead wanna-be hippie jam band) or took time to listen to some stuff, but may have heard the wrong song or album (the last few albums of theirs is, admittedly, not really prog) their first 4-5 albums plus scattered songs on other albums, plus live-only songs that didnt get recorded on studio albums is proof enough they should be in a prog category. they're one of the highest rated "non-prog" bands here, for a reason. They ARE prog.

so i say they should ALSO be moved to eclectic since they played many different styles of music, but in no way were (are) they not prog rock.

please take deep consideration for both these bands. thank you.


Edited by darkshade - February 09 2009 at 20:10

I would be so very happy if, whenever bringing up the issue of a band's placement, people tried not to sound accusatory towards the collaborators. In the early days of the site there were no genre teams, and anyone could add bands. Some of the teams have embarked in 'cleanup' sessions, but they are very time-consuming and demanding, and I'd like to remind you all that we have a life that sometimes gets in the way

Anyway, bands can be, and get, moved, but it takes the agreement of BOTH the teams concerned - in the case of Phish, the Admin Team for Prog-Related. As far as I can remember, the Crossover team did at one time evaluate Phish for a move, but then something happened, and things didn't go any further. I'll ask Micky later tonight when he gets home.

Local Band Does O.K. arrived yesterday.  Listened to it twice so far and really like it, too (Mantis came first) Anchordrops is still on the way.  I can see how they might get placed in the Jazz/Rock sub, but the album really as a whole is eclectic, as is Mantis.

Edited by Slartibartfast - February 16 2009 at 06:05

Slartibartfast wrote: Local Band Does O.K. arrived yesterday.  Listened to it twice so far and really like it, too (Mantis came first) Anchordrops is still on the way.  I can see how they might get placed in the Jazz/Rock sub, but the album really as a whole is eclectic, as is Mantis.

once you're familiar with Anchor Drops and the other albums, i think a live album is the next natural step with Umphrey's. I'd personally go with Live at the Murat, which came out in 2007 (recorded in 2007 as well i think). really showcases the live Umphrey's experience. Once you get into the live material, you're a fan for good.

johnobvious wrote: I just gave Anchor drops 1 star and you may be referring to me.  I'd be happy if they were moved.  Moved off the site entirely.  They hold no interest to me in any prog sense whatsoever and I am surprised they have a following here.  But if you like them, more power to you.  It's not personal.  Its business.

i understand, dont wanna get into a fight.

of course, i also feel there's some bands/artists that shouldnt be here either, but whatcha gonna do?

but you're saying Phish being here is ok, but Umphrey's should go? I dont know why you'd want them (Umphrey's McGee or Phish) off the site, as they are a prog rock, by classic prog definitions or by progressive music definitions


Edited by darkshade - February 15 2009 at 13:39

johnobvious wrote: I just gave Anchor drops 1 star and you may be referring to me.  I'd be happy if they were moved.  Moved off the site entirely.  They hold no interest to me in any prog sense whatsoever and I am surprised they have a following here.  But if you like them, more power to you.  It's not personal.  Its business.

I was.  From what I've heard so far I'm thinking 1 star rating has got to be overly harsh for anything this band has put out, but I'll have to wait until it gets here to see where you're coming from.


Edited by Slartibartfast - February 16 2009 at 20:22

I came home from work to find it still wasn't in my mailbox. 

All in good time.


Edited by Slartibartfast - February 20 2009 at 16:32

I put in a vote for eclectic especially for Umphrey's. Phish's recorded material also falls in that category pretty well though the shows I've seen are more jazz like. (In fact the only Phish I listen to are live albums)

Negoba wrote: I put in a vote for eclectic especially for Umphrey's. Phish's recorded material also falls in that category pretty well though the shows I've seen are more jazz like. (In fact the only Phish I listen to are live albums)   1 star should be a pretty rare rating, and given Umphrey's talent, it's ridiculous. But we all get our vote, so what are you going to do? It's seems like intentionally trying to work the ratings to me.

I assure you, I was not trying to work the ratings.  I don't like the album and it ranks in the bottom 3% of all CD's I own.  I don't think it is prog either but I was not trying to bring it down due to that fact.  I could certainly go on and on but that is not the purpose of the thread and I am not trying to rile up people who like them.  If people like them, that is fine by me.  I have much more important things to worry about.  I just wanted to put out a review that would give an opposite viewpoint so people who are unfamiliar with them will get two sides of the story.

See my response in the thread you started in the Suggest New Bands Section...