Umphreys McGee will release the new studio album Mantis on January 20, 2009, Inauguration Day. Unlike the groups previous albums, most of the music featured on Mantis has not been played live yet. Our approach to this studio project has been very different than with those preceding it, the group said in a statement. While you may find one or two vaguely familiar passages on the new album, for all intents and purposes, this is an album consisting entirely of new music. And while it retains the hallmark Umphrey’s McGee sound, we feel as though we have produced a body of work that pushes the envelope in composition, arrangement, and group interplay. Because of this, we view this album as the centerpiece of a new era in the evolution of Umphrey’s McGee. We are extremely proud of Mantis, and look forward to taking the material for a test run where we thrive—sharing the experience with you live and without a net. Since the songs were realized in the studio rather than on the road, expect them to get a serious workout in 2009 and beyond. We look forward to joining you on tour and watch how the songs change, evolve, and grow as we experiment, deconstruct, reconstruct, and discover the full potential of the new material in a live context.
The band has also launched a special homepage for the new album. Umphreys McGee will appear at Crystal Bay, NVs Crystal Bay Club and Casino this evening.