In the decade since they formed at Notre Dame, Umphrey's McGee have evolved from jam-band goofballs into prog-rock warriors. For their sixth studio album, the Chicago six-piece crafted their songs in the studio instead of road-testing them first, as they usually do. The results are some of their slickest and most ambitious tunes yet: "1348" mixes pulsing fake disco and arena rock with some gorgeous balladry. And the title track twists fuzz-crunch licks and arpeggiated piano into an array of key changes that would make Yes envious. Singer Brendan Bayliss' lyrics sometimes veer into New Age hooey ("Turmoil stands like old rubber bands unbreaking"). But on Mantis, Umphrey's have shown that their albums are more than an afterthought.