I had the pleasure of seeing Ume open for Cursive back in February. It's always such a nice feeling to discover a phenomenal band when you're not expecting it. Visually, they're a bit of a shock, it almost lulls you into a false sense of security.
In Lauren Larson, they have a soft-spoken, petite, almost girl-next-door singer who just absolutely shreds and, once the music starts, owns the stage like a woman possessed. It's unusual (for me at least) to see this juxtaposition in indie. She plays leads that alternate between intricate, needle-sharp stabs and huge, bludgeoning riffs. There's nothing petite about her playing. Her versatility on guitar was matched with equal aplomb by bassist Eric and drummer Rachel.
While the studio version is ever so slightly lacking the urgency Ume brings to its frenetic live show, Rubicon is the surging, pummeling opener to their debut album, Phantoms. Its snakelike lead anchored by Ume's rhythm section at their most primal, it gives Lauren's ethereal voice room to expand and contract, to swoon and spit.
Totally engrossing.
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