Search - Umbrella Sequence :: Disappearing Line: Athena

Rich and strange

E. A Solinas | MD USA | 01/16/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The Umbrella Sequence are a relatively new (and deeply underrated) indie-rock band. Imagine Neutral Milk Hotel, but more plaintive and heavier on the keyboards. Their debut EP "Disappearing Line: Athena" doesn't satisfy by itself, but it does leave one wanting the full album.



It opens with the percussion and swippery sound effects of "And Now We're Famous Writers," a nearly perfect mix of bass'n'guitar'n'drums rock, and some really weird electronica textures. It's followed by the oddly clattery, distant "The Disappearing Line," and the quietly driving "Athena," which strikes a balance between rock and eerie melodicism.



Things get even stranger in "Pushing Nevada," an eerie little tune that sounds like it was recorded in a haunted room. Finally, we get the obligatory remix of "The Disappearing Line (Burke and Casey's Riot Robot Mix)," which sounds like it was mixed by a robot in a space-age mosh pit. If that makes any sense.



Few bands stretch musically the way these guys do, especially in their first outing -- even the Flaming Lips started out doing straight-out punk rock. What is really striking is how mood-evocating just these five songs are -- even the remix is a winner, where most remixes are (ahem) pointless.



The Umbrella Sequence starts off with a bunch of different influences -- straightforward rock, electronica, space-rock and even a bit of keyboard pop. Guitars and bass are played well in a subtle way, with the keyboard, percussion and programming washing over them in panoramic sweeps.



Ryan Rupprecht and Aaron Hagebak manage to whip up songs that seethe with angst, without ever becoming.... really clear. "I am a curse... And we're on fire./Restless in his youth, restless adolescence, restless adulthood./Keep it locked up inside,/raining ones and zeroes from the sky." But it sounds surprisingly eloquent, when sung in Rupprecht's oddball vocals. This guy should go far.



The Umbrella Sequence slipped onto the scene with their strange, atmospheric songs, and "Disappearing Line: Athena" only leaves me hungry for more."

Bliss for Keyboard Rock fans!

E. A Solinas | 01/28/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This new band from Minneapolis is amazing! There are only 5 songs on their first EP, but each song is so different, yet staying focused on the overall concepts that they adhere to. Ryan Rupprecht's voice floats delicately over vintage keyboards, complex rhythms laid out by the bass and drums, and guitars that squeal out Queen-like riffs. The lyrics seem like they were written in a dream or a major drug-induced trip. They are pretty bizarre, but wonderful.I had the chance to see these guys live a while back, and they rock way harder live than the records. If they ever come through your town, you have to check them out!"