After releasing a self-titled album that was shrouded in mystery last year through The Militia Group, the story behind UMBRELLAS has opened up a bit with the release of the group’s follow-up, Illuminare. Last year, details regarding the band were slim as their press photos were blurred, their bio was brief, and their names were sort of coded. Yeah, I thought it was kind of weird too. Nevertheless, the band released a disc full of lush indie instrumentation that was half intriguing and half boring. Fortunately, the band (I’m still trying to figure out if this is a “band” or the new solo-project of Scott Windsor hidden by a different name) wrote a new album that, while still draining at times, has just as much to offer as their self-titled effort. Windsor’s breezy voice is still the key component to Umbrellas’ music as you’ll hear in just about any song on the album. With a handful of musicians helping him, Windsor normally sticks to vocals and guitars but he is also listed as helping with percussion. Other than that, a majority of Illuminare is driven by programmed samples or subtle drum and bass. With so many effects and random instruments thrown into the mix, the album has a vibe that can best be summed up as earthy. A song like “Idle And Waiting” is a prime example with its simple guitar chords and vocals sounding as if though they were echoing throughout a large room. This type of vibe is normally heard in just about any Umbrellas song with highlights coming in “Again And Again” and “Ships”. “Angel Or Demon” is the lone track that treads its own path as it has a danceable guitar lead that is awkwardly similar to MODEST MOUSE’s “Float On” (which is super odd because their labelmates in BRANDTSON did the same thing on their 2006 release). Despite jazzing up the album a bit, “Angel Or Demon” is one track that I personally have to skip when listening to Illuminare. I admire Windsor for constantly pushing himself into unfamiliar territory. His idea to record this record in an abandoned building was priceless as it gives the record an insane aura composed of haunting, room-filling music. Still, Illuminare, for its entire mystique, is best left as background entertainment.

The Militia Group

www.themilitiagroup.com