January 2nd, 2014 
Brian Leak 
Artist: Umbrella Bed
Album: REFILL EP
Genre: Ska, 2-Tone
It may be minimal but life remains in genres like ska and 2-tone that some would claim to be on their last legs. Clocking in close to 14 minutes shared between its 5 tracks, REFILL is the newest EP from Minneapolis’ Umbrella Bed, and while it may not necessarily breathe new life into the aforementioned genres, it certainly contributes to their unexhausted breaths remaining intact.
“I just thought they’d be smart enough to know when to call it a day…”
The extended play opens with a brief excerpt of a bar conversation then slowly gets down to business in the opening track, “Wish That It Would Stop.” Within a minute of listening you realize that the horns are fully involved within the composition; they feel organic as opposed to being an afterthought. We spoke to the band recently and they elaborated on this exact notion: “I think one thing we really do different is that we have never been a band that then also has a horn-section. Our horn players function as an integral part of how our pop songs get their story told. We aren’t trying to awkwardly fit them into the arrangements, they are what propel our arrangements.” This, to me, is the most promising aspect of the entire EP.
“Gone Away,” instrumentally, immediately feels more exciting and inviting than that before it, but the vocals are somewhat hard to connect with as they sound unfitting within the whole of the track. The simplistic lyrics are difficult to swallow as well and the slower pace of the track teamed with the uncomplicated structure makes it far too easy to get caught up in focusing on the words alone. Even at a brief two-and-a-half minutes, the monotony can make the track feel like it’s dragging.
“Two Tone Monster” is a track that leads me to believe that REFILL was crafted more so for a live setting. I imagine dancing my ass off to this one while the band does their thing on stage, but even as it’s one of the more upbeat songs on the EP, I just don’t feel the energy or fun that I think was intended listening through headphones or speakers at home. It’s definitely a solid track and probably my favorite on the effort but I feel like there’s something missing that I just can’t seem to put my finger on.
REFILL ends with “Dubb Away,” a re-imagined version of the second track, “Gone Away.” With 16 seconds added in length and some almost eerie organ-work, it certainly makes for a more interesting version than its original source. I hate to say it but omitting the vocals and leaving only minor echoed samples from the original creates a better listening experience. You’re able to focus on the groove more and musically it’s a great track to wrap the effort up with.
Despite not having any previous experience with Umbrella Bed prior to REFILL, I feel almost cheated for this being my first foray into a band that’s been together and active for nearly two decades. It’s definitely not amateur work but it feels almost effortless in comparison to what you’d expect from a group of eight competent, long-time musicians. Unfortunately, it feels average at best with nothing that outright wowed me. I’m certainly interested in where the band will take their sound on their next release though.
SCORE: 5/10
Review written by: Brian Lion — (Follow him on Twitter)
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