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By Benji Feldheim
U-Melt :: 10.13.06 :: Kinetic Playground :: Chicago, IL
U-Melt |
The members of NYC's U-Melt describe their sound as "organic progressive groove." The first two words could cancel each other out. "Progressive" implies planning and construction, whereas "organic" suggests allowing things to grow as they may. "Groove" has the possibility to bring the two together, although defining the word could fill a book the size of War and Peace. It's more accurate to say U-Melt switches between organic and progressive groove. Their ability to separate these aspects while stringing them together is what makes U-Melt worth checking out. The band has created a solid buzz through relentless touring and some notable performances, including a full rendition of Pink Floyd's Wish You Were Here at the Stonehenge Festival.
While many groups are opting to distance themselves from jamband style and identity, U-Melt embraces long versions of songs and strives to maintain a connection with the audience. As a consequence, however, their sound needs to evolve to a point where it can separate itself from other bands in the scene. Most groups tend not to accomplish such a feat in three years, so U-Melt does have time to mature. They have solid musical ability and are a tight unit, listening sensitively to the sound they make as a whole. But still, the band clearly needs those essential distinguishing qualities. On a tour celebrating the release of their second album, The I's Mind, U-Melt made their first foray into Chicago.
Miller & Lasher :: U-Melt |
U-Melt opened their first set with "Red Star," a tune that runs a gamut of styles. It began with drummer George Miller playing a straight rock beat and Adam Bendy complementing the gradually sped-up tempo with filled-out bass lines. Keyboardist Zac Lasher added layers of synth washes along with hard chords from his rig. Remaining space was filled by Rob Salzer's varied guitar work, going from background ambience to cutting lead. As the band raised the energy, they downshifted into a slower, Floydish feel. Morphing the sound again, with swift transition, the band went into a dance-beat mode until returning to the original theme to end.
Throughout the set U-Melt displayed the classic jamband motif of bringing in all types of music. "Question Matters" began with a Latin-tinged groove and then veered to an off-beat shuffle pattern. On "Green Paper Society," they stuck to a thick rock template, "Missed" was a slow-tempo "toss around the solo" jam, and to end the set the band both had a special guest and covered one of the greats.
Lasher & Salzer :: U-Melt |
Right before set break, Kris Myers from Umphrey's McGee joined the band on a second drum kit for Medeski Martin & Wood's "Bubblehouse." While simpler than most MMW tunes, it has deliberate sped-up and slowed-down sections that can lead to disaster if the band isn't paying attention to each other. In addition, it's hard as hell to mimic the smoothness of Billy Martin shifting speeds while maintaining that dragging strut. Nevertheless, the band pulled it off, albeit a little straighter than MMW makes it feel.
The second set was more of the same; peaks and valleys, jams and excursions and one newer song, "Clear Lights." U-Melt shifted energy up and down throughout the song with ease, all the while keeping the crowd bouncing.
In Chicago the band demonstrated well-rehearsed chops and intricate song construction. The link between Miller and Bendy set a firm rhythm foundation for the array of colors put forth by Lasher and Salzer. At no point did it seem one player was ignoring his counterparts, and they were also very conscious of the crowd's involvement. Their listening skills are impeccable (perhaps the hardest thing to actually learn) and all the technical aspects are in place, now they must go after the more complicated goal of finding their true sound.
SET LIST
Set I: Red Star, Question Matters > Green Paper Society, Missed > Bubblehouse*
Set II: Schizophrenia, Air, Clear Light
*with Kris Myers from Umphrey's McGee playing on a second drum kit
JamBase | Chicago
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