THE REVIEWS ARE IN: Time Out Chicago:Time Out Chicago / Issue 113: April 26–May 2, 2007 Album Review Five Stars(out of six) .Considering how consistently Bumpus has been playing out for much of its ten-year existence, it’s pretty surprising that this is the band’s first studio album in six years. While 2001’s Stereoscope demonstrated considerable charm, its White Album–like stylistic schizophrenia hinted at too many cooks in the kitchen, foreshadowing vocalist Rachael Yamagata’s amicable departure the following year. Afterward, the band refocused and got back to the holy trinity of Sly Stone, Stevie Wonder and Prince. But rather than churning out watered-down rehashes, it’s reached down deep and pulled out a sublime stunner.
Instead of just jamming on endless funk vamps, the new All the People hearkens back to the great progressive soul albums of the 1970s, with plenty of concise pop appeal. The tracks are chock-full of inventive progressions and sunshine-bright choruses, with vocalist-guitarist James Johnston strutting and wailing throughout, sustained by the warm gospel harmonizing of Ava Fain and Erika Jones. Many of the tunes bring political issues down to a personal level, while radiating some desperately needed positivity in an era of fear and malaise, especially the easygoing “Yeah You” (dig those choppy Jackson 5 guitars!), and the N’Awlins brass band–inflected “Underneath the Sun.” With an album this good, Bumpus should succeed in finally breaking out of the bar-band circuit, because it’s certainly ready for it.—Ben Taylor
THE CHICAGOIST April 27, 2007 Bumpus Digs Deep, We Dig Modern bands that specialize in funk and soul tend to release pretty crappy studio albums. We suppose it has to do with the sterility of the studio, and the emphasis on "getting things just right," but for the most part a band that can get us sweating and dry-humping the stage in concert tends to leave us cold when we're reintroduced to them via personal listening system.
Bumpus' last studio album, Stereoscope, bucked that trend by focusing on interesting songwriting that infused their funk grooves with a healthy dose of pop smarts. Bumpus still used the studio as a modern tool, but they didn't let ProTools suck the life out of their work.
That was six years ago. That's a long time to go between albums.
In the interim the band released a live album and an E.P., but both of those releases felt like placeholders as the group reinvented itself. How do you follow up an album that synthesized most of your best qualities? That was the question Bumpus was working through, and we're glad they took their time coming up with a solution, because the answer is a doozy.
Bumpus' new All The People digs deep into the band's influences and delivers an amalgamation of Sly Stone's sweaty anthems, early Funkadelic rubbery folk beats, and Creedence Clearwater Revival's personal politicism. Whereas Stereoscope showcased a band coloring their grooves with recently discovered modern / indie rock / hip-hop sensibilities, All The People plunges both arms elbow deep in the primordial ooze to pull out music built around inner emotional truth. By looking back, the group -- led by singer James Johnston -- has finally figured out how to forge ahead. The disc is saturated in '70s chromatic style, and launches the band as a whole into a new state of maturity.
Bumpus has done something few modern bands have done by tapping into a deeply buried vein to rediscovers the sound of timeless soul music; by doing so, the band rediscovers their own strengths and, ultimately, themselves.
Bumpus plays a CD release show for All The People tonight at Martyr's Posted by Tankboy in Music
BIO
When was the last time you did anything for the first time?" is the question James Johnston asks the audience on the title track of Bumpus' upcoming release All the People. It is a hard question to answer, and it is intended to be. All the People is a big step forward for Chicago veterans Bumpus, exposing a freshness and maturity like never before.
Inspired by their love for the old school, Bumpus formed ten years ago through a mutual love and respect for Sly and The Family Stone, to collectively pursue their passion for music. Since then, Bumpus has performed continuously to become one of the most respected bands in Chicago. Jim DeRogatis of the Chicago Sun-Times named Bumpus' Stereoscope as one of the top ten local Chicago albums in 2001. In 2003, Bumpus recorded Bumpus Live! at Chicago's legendary Metro and they won WGN-TV's Battle of the Bands for the entire year, a competition judged by local music critics and the television audience. Most recently, lead singer James Johnston was nominated for Male Vocalist of the Year at the Chicago Music Awards.
Bumpus consists of eight musicians, banded together by their drive to create music with both deep meaning and deep grooves. It is this drive that has led to forming a unique sound that is all their own. On stage, Bumpus has developed a synergy with their audience in which one voice exists. Bumpus has thrived in generating an energetic live performance which has garnered them praise throughout Chicago. These live performances have led to opening for hip-hop giants The Roots and Jurassic 5 as well as for funk pioneers Maceo Parker, War, and Dr. John.
AEMMP Records is proud to release All the People as Bumpus continues to gain fans throughout the country with their blowout live shows and infectious grooves. Look for updates, tour schedules and more online.
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Wow the tour journals rule! Sounds like the bumpus tour was amazing. I like the one about james getting all punk rock and playing another tune. That sounds sweet. and of course Travis saves the day! Let me know when you need a sound guy for the next tour Im in. And james thanks a ton for the work setting up the Show for us. Hello to all of Bumpus. Much Love!
Chris
P.S. I Have a bunch of people coming to see you in Iowa City at the festival. So look out for drunken friends of Chris in Iowa!
just read your tour journals. Oh, sounds like some serious touring. Yeah for posting those. I am at Philipp's right now waking up after my train tour. 5 of us taking the slow trains through mostly Germany. Very fun and sweet. Anyways, thinking of all of you and wishing you an amazing rest of the tour. And no more tire pops yes. Love, Josepha
had a blast rockin' w/ you guys this past weekend. ya'll impressed the hell outta me, you gotta a TIGHT live show! know that! hope to do it again sometime soon.
