This week I've decided to do a little tribute to Mr. Bungle. Each member has gone on to produce some pretty incredible and different music since the band's breakup in 2004 so each day this week I'll focus on one of these projects. First up is saxophonist Clinton "Bär" McKinnon and his band Umlaut.
(Amphead Aus/Zoom, 2009)
Melbourne based Umlaut’s first effort combines quirky jazz based instrumentals with humorous experimental pop and even includes an appearance by someone named Mike Patton.
The album undeniably has the blood of Mr. Bungle running all the way through it; there’s some sort of structure but it’s impossible to tell which direction it is headed next. The songs alternate between suspenseful jazz-based instrumentals and catchy pop tunes filled with comedic lyrics. Just like Mr. Bungle the music is beautifully arranged but is not to be taken seriously, and how could you take it seriously with tracks like Dirty Dishes (an ode to cleaning up after yourself), Work Truck ("who wants oysters?"), and Chill Pill (“just chill, chill the fuck out”).
The album makes a splash early on with the vocals on Atlas Face provided by Mike Patton. He displays several different vocal techniques for the song and has me guessing as to whether some sort of voice effects machine is used for part of it or if he’s just extremely talented. The short answer is both. A heavier element is also prevalent throughout the album but most noticeable on Bigfoot is Real and Buttons. The latter is a sweeping track that encompasses electronic and heavier components before ending with a dramatic flow of synth.
Keyboards play a large part in the sound of Umlaut, but it is Bär’s excellence on the saxophone and flute, plus the addition of a vibraphone which give an edge to their sound, a sound comparable to a junior Mr. Bungle.
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