MANTIS

I had some friends who really loved Umphrey's McGee (but they are gone to Berklee now), and I decided to give them a shot. I decided to get this as my introduction because it was supposed to be their most progressive effort. After owning it for about 6 months now, I have decided that it a great album. Sure, it's not the most progressive work ever created. It's more like Phish meets Zappa meets Porcupine Tree, if that's even possible. I don't particularly enjoy the all-around happy feel to the album (I usually enjoy much darker things), but the album has fantastic moments. The title track is probably the strongest on the album. Not to mention that the part with an orchestra at about 9 minutes in is fantastic, probably the single greatest moment on the album.

"1348" is another highlight for me. I love the beginning to the song. It has a certain prog metal element to it, but when the vocals come in, it is obviously not. I don't particularly enjoy the vocals on the album, however. I find them to be a little too standard and "American" singer-type, if that makes sense.

Overall, highly recommended for fans of prog metal who have a humorous side and don't mind standard vocals.

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