”Every once in a while, a band comes along out of nowhere and catches everyone off guard. The sounds emanate the right way, the performance is stellar and the crowd’s reaction is one of unanimous approval. UME is one such band... With a brand of dissonant rock centered on the furious guitar playing of vocalist/guitarist Lauren Larson, UME’s performances have become something of legend in Houston over the past two years. Lauren’s guitar parts are characterized by a series of eerily beautiful, high-pitched tones, amplified even further by her tortured guttural screams. Backing her are bassist Eric Larson, her husband of four years, and drummer Jeff Barrera, both of whom hold down a driving backdrop as Lauren weaves her parts in and out, typically ending up flailing around on her knees playing guitar or abandoning the upright position altogether, twirling on her back in a mass of guitar cords…”
By Lance Walker, 002 Magazine, July 2004
“A Holiday of Sound: The Frenzied Agenda of UME”
"Discordant and subtly beautiful, Ume catches that special something that
requires me to listen, necessitates my attention, as the album
unfolds, painting a chaotic foundation of themes. Like a Sonic
Youth with a full-time female lead vocalist, they create music by
abandoning nominal conventions, and what seems like a haphazard
process and throw down individual pieces that mesh into coherent
amalgamations. Rightly none of this should work, but it does despite
all logic - and actually works quite well. Songs vary internally,
even down to the pace level, which gives each song a distinct place
in the landscape of this album, and on certain songs giving the
material a sense of breathe or of breathing, in and out.
Production is well-conceived giving this three-piece ample room to play around,
never letting the sound go hollow, which is saying a lot. Production
also varies the vocals nicely, adding male backing here, and doubling
the main vocals to fill space while maintaining a clear idea of band
sound. Bass is the most constant vein of the music as the drums are
forced to make sense of the different rhythms presented by the
all-over-the-map guitar. It is this confusion that adds the most to
the material, keeping each song interesting and different from every
other. From the album level, all of the changes appear sporadic or
just plain epileptic, but somehow, instead of making the record rough
and unbearable, the end result is a textured product full of nuance."
By Bishop, www.hybridmagazine
(July 5, 2005)
"Redemptive bliss found through noisy, brute strength, girl power, and some of
the best guitars you'll hear this year."
By Joel Dunham, www.cdreviews.com
"UME rides 'Urgent Sea' with power of punk"
By Ron Wynn, Nashville City Paper (Aug. 10, 2005)
"Ume's Lauren Langner Larson--a diminutive blonde rocking opposite her bass-playing husband, Eric--may be the most promising female voice to smack the indie rock world in years. She turns the pensive femme writer paradigm on its head, sporting a seriously scary welp and a deceptively sultry growl ... Her dissonant guitar pings and anti-chords rail above Eric's bass and the throbbing time-shifts of masked drummer Jeff Barrera."
By Grayson Currin, indyweek.com
"Imagine if Blonde Redhead grew some balls or if Sonic Youth got hungry
again. Actually, scratch that. Thinking hurts. Instead just make sure you're
in the same room as Houston trio Ume when they hit town and plug in.
Guitarist/violent squaller Lauren Larson is a force of nature, leveling ears
with blasts of sonic six-string fury and gut shrieks that far outpace the
vocal capabilities of most humans. Her husband Eric holds down the low end
with solid, treble-heavy basslines that meld in lockstep with drummer Jeff
Barrera.s enormous skin pounding (get your mind outta the gutter). Their
debut full-length Urgent Sea is about as good as it gets. Every song creates its own
distinct mood while managing.through the magic of smart
sequencing, to work together seamlessly as a whole."
By Brian McManus, Philadelphia Weekly (Oct. 25, 2006)
"When Touch & Go had its 25th anniversary celebration in Chicago two months
ago,the old and abrasive cognoscenti.Shellac, Scratch Acid, The Jesus
Lizard.gathered with the label's new blood, a hit-and-miss convocation of
bands that can only fuck with Austin's best indie rock trio, Ume, in their
nightmares. Led by the banshee sweetness of Lauren Langner Larson, who howls
and hums like a the human embodiment of histrionic, Ume lets its bombs tick
over bold math-rock clocks, shifting and spreading through arrhythmic,
atonal and perfect excursions that are as complicated and calculated as they
are emancipating and explosive. If you see one band this month, make it Ume.
As with openers Bellafea, there's a lot worth knowing here."
The Independent (Nov. 1, 2006)
"'Hurricane,' a bombshell of a single, rivals classic Nirvana in its juxtaposition of energy levels, its structural integrity, and its ingenious simplicity. With enough luck, that song alone could make Ume's career."
By Danny Mee, spacecityrock.com
"There's no comparison for Ume's lead singer-guitarist. The petite Larson whizzes across the stage like a Tasmanian devil on PCP, creating a tornado of blond hair as she belts out fierce vocals and lays down killer riffs. Anchoring the chaos is bassist Eric Larson (her husband) and drummer Jeff Barrera, who put out a steady, calculated rhythm."
By Dusti Rhodes, The Houston Press (July 2006).
"Ume is a wounded grizzly bear stumbling away from a back-alley knife fight. Make no sudden moves, avoid eye-contact, pretend you're dead — or just take it. And like it."
By Jeremy Koren, Repellent Zine
"The Ume CD sat on my desk for at least a week before I put it on... But it
took about 1.5 seconds of listening to the record for me to regret wasting
all of that time. The songs are better than OK, but most of the band's
goodness comes from front woman Lauren Langner Larson, with her space-epic
guitar wail, feral-sexy vocals, and pleasingly alliterative name... She dresses like a Gap regular and
shreds like a cock-rock dude with very specific body-image issues. I'm
probably skipping the Black Angels at the Bottle on Sunday night to head up
to the Beat Kitchen to see them."
Chicago Reader (Oct. 27, 2006)
"Ume is a new trio from Texas. They remind me of a little known band from
Iowa called Unit Breed, who had very bizarre paintings accompanying their
vinyl; artwork reminiscent of Dali and that weird Bill Hicks inside that one
Tool album. Ume has a similar aesthetic. Their album art is dark,
striking, and well done to the point of almost high style. The album art of
Urgent Sea is inextricably linked to Ume's music - there definitely are
elements of Sonic Youth, Unwound, My Bloody Valentine, and even Universal
Order of Armageddon contained within the heavily guitar based punk of Urgent
Sea. But Ume stay darker, not necessarily to the point of heavy metal in
the traditional sense, but almost in the bizarre noir way of early Genesis
or Hawkwind. That dark mood is coated with a Crazy Horse-style distortion
and topped with Lauren Langner Larson's wavering sing/scream. But Ume stop
just short of being expansive and esoteric in those "Look at me, I'm a weird
guy with his face painted" art rock sort of ways; Ume's music is more
sweetly contained in a neat punk trio setup. It's odd that such a poignant
and plentiful blend of influences can clearly be spotted in Ume's music, but
that isn't necessarily a bad thing."
By Steve Five, Skyscraper, Issue #19
"Texan trio trudge over vistas of mud, stoner-metal slow 'til they start turning proggy little chaos corners and pick up into secretly melodic noise recalling when Sonic Youth were youths. Lauren Langner Larson has some Ut in her snarl, too."
The Village Voice (Aug. 3, 2005)
"Lauren plays volcanic guitar, with vocals that range from demure to demonic. Eric and drummer Jeff Barrera craft the robust rhythmic foundation for Ume's abitious aural architecture."
By Andrew Miller, Cleveland Scene (Aug. 17, 2005)
"Urgent Sea isn't an album with just one or two good songs on it. I could
choose any song off the album and enjoy listening to it for the rest
of the day. There's no filler here - the whole album packs a
punch of energy to one's ears."
Treblezine.com
(June 15, 2005)
Feature Article
"It's Loud and I Listen to It While in the Shower (everyday)"
By Nick Dean, Auralminority.com (June 11, 2005)
"The cover of Ume's Urgent Sea depicts some strange serpentine creature
with a shark's head perched above a dark, stormy ocean. It's a pretty
apt visual metaphor for Ume's music, which can get quite brutal and
massive, churning away with choppy guitars, metal riffs, sloppy
rhythms that can suddenly turn on a dime, and vocalist/guitarist
Lauren Larson snarling and screaming all the while. But Ume's
music will surprise you. Blink and you'll miss the heavier, Black
Sabbath-esque elements falling away and revealing crystalline,
Cure-like guitar melodies and more delicate drumming. Meanwhile,
Larson's vocals have moved from a Kim Gordon snarl to a breathy coo
with nary a bat of an eyelash. This schizophrenic dynamic is
perfectly captured on 'Wake', Urgent Sea's opening track."
www.opuszine.com
"Listeners will be relieved that the surrealist painting of a shark-headed
serpent rising above crashing waves under a menacing sky gracing this
CD announces not a dumbly complex castles- and-warriors prog rock
outfit of long haired men in tights but a simplistic and tasty indie
rock trio that, judging from photos on the inner sleeve, do not wear
capes. A big attraction here are the breathy, strep-throat vocals of
the rhythmically named Lauren Langner Larson. She's also the one
guiding that guitar from dissonant part to dissonant part. The band
deals heavily in repetition but never nauseatingly so, and they're
never without melody, that sometimes-ignored musical element. There
are some downright heavy moments, and a yearning and tenseness that
never let up. The band very well fills one of those specific niches
you didn't know needed filling.
Bonus points also for their handling of dynamics, and for sounding a little
bit like Betty Serveert at times."
www.Ratbloodsoup.com
"This shit is pretty hot, and that's not just referring to lead singer
Lauren Larson. It's the sound and the attitude that this band
puts forth that attracts me to them. I'm so attracted in fact,
that I would put on some nice clothes, take the band out to a nice
dinner, and even buy the band some flowers. I would wine and
dine this band collectively so the music figuratively comes back to
bed with me. Then we would go from there, as I slowly undress this
band and strip it to its core. I would even suck the toes.
While I would treat the Yeah Yeah Yeahs like the dirty sluts they
are, and while I would respect Sonic Youth in the milf-type way, I
would be Mr. Romantic with Ume."
By Devin, Sayrah.net
"Ume's 'Urgent Sea' sounds like 'Pretty On the Inside' if it were
given the advantage of living through the Blonde Redhead catalog. It,
too, sounds like it's worked with Our Lady of Sonic Youth and the
early riot grrl malcontents, but it lingers attractively as Kazu
Makino would. While strangely alluring, you know any relationship
with Ume would be a tumultuous one."
Rating: 7.5/10
By Sarah Peters, www.lostatsea.net
"Even before playing the CD, Urgent Sea, a full length from TX
avant-rockers Ume, makes a strong impression. Its artwork, filled
with shark monsters (with whom the band frolic on the back cover), is
vivid, colorful, and scary stuff: much like the band's music. Langner
Larson weaves undulating, searing guitar lines which dovetail with
her visceral, often screamed, vocals. Larson and Barrera match her
intensity with heavy, propulsive rhythms. Urgent Sea is relentless
in the confrontational and overwhelming character of its songs; this
may seem unforgiving at times. Still, Ume's passionate and resolute
music-making is well worth the possible side effects listeners may
experience: being bowled over, drained, and cathartically renewed."
By Dr. Christian Carey, www.greathoboes.com
(June 30, 2005)
"I had yet to hear of a band named Ume before. I had no idea what style
of music they play. But to my lovely surprise, I really like
Urgent Sea. It's raw, full of spunk and take your breath away
effort. Ume has haunting and delicate vocals delivered by Lauren
and Eric Larson. This trio named Ume makes rock and roll
that is fresh and exciting.
The band's genetic make-up is a little shoegaze, garage rock, noise
band and experimental rock, all mixed up into one. Sometimes when I
listen to noise bands they sound so disjointed from a regular
rhythmic beat that it turns me off. On the contrary, Urgent Sea pulls
the free noise into a comprehensive musical synergy. The hard hitting
drum beats, solid guitar lines, and of course the vocals place
perfectly together."
By Ayn, www.beattheindiedrum.com
(May 17, 2005)
"...rather uncommonly open and sparse music driven by a warm rhythm section and
angular guitars that deliver choppy rhythms, weird clean passages,
and lightly caustic fare - fronted by extremely unique female
vocals that kind of bounce around between bits and pieces of hoarse
speaking, singing, and a near shout/scream."
Aversiononline.com (May 10, 2005)
"Urgent Sea is a record rife with songs of angst and tension that find no
resolution, but rather apprehension for more stormy sections.
However, within lies gems of unusual harmony and melody from
singer/guitarist Lauren Larson. Ume's rhythm section breathes life
into the three-piece act, bringing tension-building syncopation and
odd time signatures. A seaworthy debut from a talented group,
Urgent Sea is recommended for fans of noisy punk rock and
nautical scales and rhythms."
Grade: A
By Patrick Slevin, www.theaquarian.com
(May 25, 2005)
"Ume borrows from the usual indie suspects--NYC art-punk skronk, DC
post-hardcore, Northwestern riot grrl--but instead of idly pointing
to those influences, they spit them out with unironic, seething
vitriol. Singer/guitarist Lauren Larson's voice alternates
between a barely controlled coo and a frantic yelp, which is pretty
exciting."
Music Pick: New Haven Advocate (March 3, 2005)
"Sometimes it's unbearable to listen to Lauren Langner Larson scream/sing/howl
in her hellishly beautiful voice; then again, sometimes it's good.
Every once in a while, the band stumbles over a great riff or
progression like in A Maze... the overall vibe revolves around sinister guitar sludge."
Rating:4 out of 5 stars
www.pulseweekly.com
"Countless indie bands have walked countless miles down the trails that Sonic
Youth blazed, but very few of them have a singer who's fit to carry
Kim Gordon's dirty boots. Lauren Larson, of the Texas power trio Ume,
is an exception: her boots were made for walking, and on her band's
debut, Urgent Sea (Pretty Activity), she backs up her raspy wail with
slow, deep, dissonant guitar riffs that verge on metal before
spinning way out of control. Ume is at Great Scott with
Decahedron..."
Editor's Pick: Boston Phoenix (June 2, 2005)
Feature Article
"Philosopher-in-training fronts rock band in her off-hours"
By Anne Erickson, The Lansing State Journal (May 26, 2005)
"I had heard that Eric and Lauren were playing in a new band, but with 5
years separation from the last time I heard them play music it was
hard to imagine what to expect, and I can honestly say that all my
expectations have been completely shattered.
Ume is that new project of theirs, and if you would have told me back
then that tiny, humble, fragile Lauren would be belting out vocals as
powerful and demanding in the not so distant future I would have said
you were a day dreamer of the most grand proportions. Ume is a
three-piece that demands your attention. Not just through the
confrontationally aggressive voice of Lauren that leads things, but
through the pounding drums and over distorted, verging on feedback
guitar lines."
By Mike Gibson, http://www.lovehasnologic.com/ (May 20, 2005)
"How on earth this Houston trio manages to create such a beautiful racket
on stage is still confounding me. And how Lauren (who almost has
her Ph.D in philosophy!) can flail about like a unmanned fire hose
and not have the feedback blow her petite frame out of the club
entirely. One moment she is cooing in your ear and seducing you but
once you've let your guard down, out come the fangs, the claws - and
you find yourself delightfully eviscerated. Grab their debut from
Pretty Activity."
By Heath, http://justforaday.blogpot.com
Winner Critic’s Choice! Best Indie Rock The 2004 Houston Press Music Awards
“Lead guitarist/vocalist Lauren L., who appeared to be in her mid-teens, plucked the start and I was thrown all around. This three piece (bassist/co-vocalist Eric Larson and drummer Jeff Barrera) are not your average scene—this is what the Yeah Yeah Yeahs want to be if they headed their influences and concentrated on music not image.”
By Eyad, Rewireviews.com, May 2003
“My Bloody Valentine, Sonic Youth and Sleater-Kinney with a bass are decent comparisons. Petite singer Lauren Larson caterwauls like a she-devil who's missed a few meals. Beware.”
By John Nova Lomax, The Houston Press, August 22, 2004
“Music Awards Survey: A rundown of every act on this year’s bill”
“Houston, TX noise-rockers Ume came to Toronto this past Friday, and they brought a bit of a monsoon along with them… For the 15 or so people who braved the storm that night and made it to the third floor of Reilly’s, it certainly did get weird. Weird but good.”
By Gabe Kastner, The Eyeopener, October 9, 2002
Ryerson University, Toronto, Canada
“Fat Cat's, le 12 août.
4 groupes, ça commence à faire beaucoup, me dis-je, aussi j'attends le dernier moment pour décoller de la maison. Je me serais plus pressé si j'avais mieux lu l'affiche, car j'étais persuadé que UME ferait la "dernière première" partie si j'ose dire. Ce groupe local (même si 2 membres sur 3 habitent actuellement en Pennsylvanie) m'avait fait forte impression en ouverture de Don Caballero en juin dernier, je ne voulais pas les rater…
On met un peu de musique du côté du bar, le temps de changer tout le bazar sur la petite scène où jadis le chanteur des hives avait électrisé la salle jusqu'à dehors. C'est pas gagné avec les 30 pelés de ce soir.
J'ai repéré mes petits gars de UME qui trainent. Ce groupe est constitué d'un batteur barbu très sympathique à la voix fluette, un bassiste tout maigre avec une voix d'homme mûr, et d'une nana toute petite et fragile qui ressemble à ta petite soeur de 17 ans. Le truc marrant c'est qu'elle vient habillée en robe, avec son petit sac à main sur l'épaule, et qu'elle regarde gentiment GTFD avant d'aller installer ses guitares. Je vois des mecs incrédules dont je parie dès maintenant qu'ils iront la féliciter par des phrases du style "that was fucking awesome!" à la fin du set.
Beaucoup plus de monde d'un coup. Munie de sa strato bleue et de sa mustang de l'exacte même couleur qui attend sagement son tour sur le côté, la miss blonde comme une Pelforth sans mousse ("Fatty, a sure nominee for the writers awards!" - Boston Globe) lance un "ready?" fébrile au bassiste, la main déjà levée au dessus des cordes prêtes à être torturées, car, sous cette apparence de mini poupée barbie se cache une bête de scène en devenir. C'est dingue, je reconnais même les chansons alors que je ne les ai entendu qu'une fois il y a 2 mois.. Le chant est partagé entre le bassiste et la miss, qui lui pique quand même la vedette bien sûr, par son charisme étrange. Des compos qui oscillent entre de la pop très noisy et des passages énervés comme il faut, un chant qui dérive en cris le plus souvent, et un rythme légèrement répétitif. Mais on n'a certainement pas le temps de s'ennuyer, et c'est déjà fini. J'ai tenté 2 photos en tout début de set, timidement, et puis un mec est arrivé en mitraillant pendant 10mns, c'est bon, la prochaine fois je ferai moins mon shyboy.
Un "thank you" essoufflé des 2 frontmanwoman qui viennent de se rouler par terre pour le dernier morceau conclue le set.”
www.bide-et-musique.com, August 2003
By Travis Ritter, “The Offices of Max G. Arnold Magazine #3,” September 2003
Ume Interview
www.donewaiting.com
December 30, 2004