The Bottom Half


The Bottom Half is the fifth album from progressive rock group Umphrey's McGee recorded during the band's 2005/2006 sessions of their previous studio effort Safety in Numbers. The first disc contains complete songs that were initially left off the Safety in Numbers album, while the second disc features demos, outtakes, and b-sides from the sessions. Like the previous album, the artwork was done by Storm Thorgerson. The first single from the album is "Bright Lights, Big City," written by Mother Vinegar frontman Karl Engelmann, who is also a member of Ali Baba's Tahini with Umphrey's guitarist Jake Cinninger.
The album was released on April 3, 2007.

Track listing

Disc One

  1. The Bottom Half
  2. Bright Lights, Big City
  3. Great American
  4. Higgins Sir
  5. Higgins
  6. Memories of Home
  7. Atmosfarag
  8. Red Room
  9. Intentions Clear
  10. Home
  11. Divisions

    Disc Two

  12. Words
  13. Great American / Believe the Lie
  14. Believe the Lie
  15. Time Eater
  16. Never Cease
  17. Rocker
  18. Ready Noodles
  19. Higgins
  20. The Heart of Rock 'N' Roll
  21. Fresh Start
  22. The Browning Special
  23. Ocean Billy
  24. Intentions Clear
  25. What Else?
  26. Alex's House
  27. End of the Road
  28. Red Room Disco
  29. Rocco
  30. WWS
  31. The Weight Around
  32. Liquid
  33. Atmosfarag
  34. Words
  35. Memories of Home
  36. Browning Family Creed
  37. Biscuits & Gravy
  38. Words
  39. Words

    Artwork

The sleeve's designer Storm Thorgerson said: "This design was originally rejected by Jane's Addiction and was resurrected at short notice by a band called Umphrey's McGee from Chicago, God bless 'em. We had completed the design despite rejection from Jane's, and UM needed something in a hurry and thought this suitable for their humour and album title, The Bottom Half."

Chart performance

Personnel