Since formation as a studio-based trio back in 2006, Perth’s Umpire have honed their sound over a couple of EPs, added a drummer and released their debut album Now We’re Active. They make self-described ‘wide-screen indie rock’ and both their sound and choice of titles perpetuates this sense of vast open spaces.
The Canyon typifies this sound; gently building guitar and drum lines unfurl around Geoff Symon’s vocals, which in turn conjures thick, bass-driven riffs. While full of crescendos and sudden drop-offs, the band inhabit, rather than dominate the soundscapes they create. Restrained production and performance give the record’s quieter moments clarity and definition, and when the sound does expand to fill the space they’ve created, the marked contrast is satisfying both texturally and sonically. Opening single Green Light District sees this approach close to perfected as sparse drum-powered verses emerge into choruses overflowing with vocal harmonies and rippling guitar lines.
However, like many bands who employ the soft-loud-soft technique in their music, over the course of the ten songs, it does feel a trifle overused. It’s pleasant – but not always necessary – to have that obvious delineation between verse and chorus; there are certainly other ways to change things up. It’s a half-understood truth here, for beyond the expected guitar/bass/drums there are also patches of xylophone, exotic percussion and digital effects scattered throughout the album. All too often though they are deeply buried, their potential impact dulled. The horn section in Supply Chins is one of the few times Umpire took an element like this and really ran with it; to great effect.
That’s not to say this is an overly repetitive or unimaginative effort. Spotlights is a study of slow and delicate contemplation while Jewellery Can Be Disturbing sees the quartet growing imposing; Symon’s voice calling out over dissonant, crashing guitars and cymbals. It’s not as heavily contrasted as much of the rest of the album, but suffers in no way because of it. Indeed, more than anything, it hints at what the Umpire live performance may sound like and – importantly – should spark a desire in the listener to go and find out.
Umpire will be touring Now We’re Active nationally in July and August, for details visit their website.
Tags: 2011, album, album review, debut, geoff symons, green light district, hidden shoal records, hsr, music, now we're active, review, spotlights, supply chins, the canyon, umpire
