ChopFeb 22, 2024

#Phish Mexico 2024 #Ranked

<gap>
<gap>
<gap>
N1 Wednesday

Sure, there were a few exciting moments and the make-up (quickie) sex of the last four songs. But overall a fairly uninspired set with fairly uninspired play. The good news is this is par for the course when the band tries to play a single-set show, and the next 3 nights are all standard two-setters.

Show threadChopFeb 23, 2024

#Phish Mexico 2024 #Ranked

N2 Thursday
<gap>
<gap>
<gap>
N1 Wednesday

The only question about last night’s ranking is best show since ___? This assumes you put an asterisk on NYE.

Add up the improv, factor in the quality of the WoH, throw in no S2 downtime & I’m putting it ahead of anything from 2023. This includes the Greek Tweezer->Simple show and all the MSGs. It’s probably better than anything from 2022 though I’ve blocked most memories from those tours. Maybe Shoreline21? A masterpiece.

Show threadChopFeb 24, 2024

#Phish Mexico 2024 #Ranked

N2 Thursday
<gap>
N3 Friday
<gap>
<gap>
<gap>
N1 Wednesday

I need to relisten to a few versions, but I’d be shocked if last night isn’t the 🐐 CDT—which is incredible given how many legendary versions there are.

Best back-to-back shows since Shoreline 21, and I bet that band sounds like ass vs this one.

One of the best shows of 4.0, and it pains me to put it below a <gap>, but it just doesn’t have the horsepower to keep up with Thursday despite the superior Q1.

Show threadJustin BruceFeb 24, 2024
@chopaganda I think it’s undeniably and instantly the 🐐 CDT. after a couple big 2023 efforts, they hit a grand slam.
Show threadChopFeb 24, 2024
@justinbruce I need to do IT, Dick’s 2013, and Hollywood Bowl 23. Trying to think of there are others on the shortlist. Already tossed out Baker’s.
Show threadRyan StormFeb 25, 2024
@chopaganda @justinbruce lol @ thinking BD is below all three of those
Show threadChopFeb 25, 2024
@ry_storm @justinbruce Never said it was below those. Just that I tossed it out bc I’ve listened to it recently enough. Settle down, Beavis.
Show threadTHE BandinoFeb 25, 2024

@chopaganda @ry_storm @justinbruce

Hot take: Phish hasn’t played an elite 30+ minute jam with real flow, cohesiveness, hose, and musical substance since the 12-30-19 Tweezer. Where all 4 members are contributing to a sum greater than its individual parts. There have been a few great 20ish minute jams (Deercreek Simple 21, MSG AWOH 23, etc) but there aren’t many of those either. They’ve been more adventurous lately but the real musical substance just isn’t there IMO #phish

Show threadBrad SolariFeb 25, 2024
@Bandino @chopaganda @ry_storm @justinbruce I know you have a reputation to uphold as being in the one percent of the 1 percent club of fans who think 21-24 sucks, but you just sound silly at this point. You may want to consider hanging up the headphones my man. 🤣
Show threadTHE BandinoFeb 25, 2024

@vriphish76 @chopaganda @ry_storm @justinbruce

I wouldn’t say it sucks, even though I throw that word around as part of my trolling instinct. 😂. I guess I just mean overrated or mediocre. It’s all relative I suppose. But I’d take the highlights of 2016-2019 over 21-24 any day--although there have only been two 24 shows so we’ll see what happens...I’m excited for the Sphere and MondeGreen

Show threadRyan StormFeb 25, 2024
@Bandino @vriphish76 @chopaganda @justinbruce L O L
Show threadJustin BruceFeb 25, 2024
@ry_storm @Bandino @vriphish76 @chopaganda to have a take this hot, and spit it with this confidence, earns my respect. I think we’re in halcyon phish days and am here to enjoy it while it lasts, but to each their own.
Show threadChopFeb 25, 2024
@justinbruce @ry_storm @Bandino @vriphish76 While I mostly disagree with Bandummy, I will say that so many of the big 4.0 jams lack replay value compared to previous eras. Like the Wave of Hope was downright thrilling in the moment, but I’ve now played it twice and can see never listening to it again because it doesn’t have the kind of sustained “4 playing as 1” segment that most of my favorite jams have.
Show threadJustin BruceFeb 25, 2024
@chopaganda @ry_storm @Bandino @vriphish76 I’ll have to give it spin #3 and see how it goes, but agree that the “hive mind” of AWOH was reserved for the last section. Whereas the CDT had it out the gate. Hive mind vs. good band interplay is something I’m trying to pay attention to this year, as carryover from sussing out last year’s JOTYs.
Show threadChopFeb 25, 2024
@justinbruce @ry_storm @Bandino @vriphish76 I wish I could put my finger on it. So many 4.0 jams are like all four of them riding a wave with a push and pull between 2/3/4 at various moments. It’s incredible and thrilling in the moment. But it doesn’t have the same replay value for me as 1.0, 2.0, or even 2012-15.
Show threadJustin BruceFeb 25, 2024
@chopaganda @ry_storm @Bandino @vriphish76 there’s a part of me that thinks that 4.0 #phish is more about the process of improvisation and the mechanisms of interplay than achieving a singular melodic result, which i find to be #1 fascinating and engaging, but #2 less ear-wormy than their earlier and simpler output. Feels like a necessary and natural extension for a band this deep into a career who’s not retreading their greatest hits, so to speak. 🤷
Show threadLost ReflectorFeb 25, 2024
@justinbruce @chopaganda @ry_storm @Bandino @vriphish76 it's the evolution of a conversation that started over forty years ago where the most impressive part to me is that they still have interesting things to say. Yes they recycle bits but think of yukking it up with old friends and how often an old anecdote spurs the laughter to greater heights. And there is deeper conversation than before because of the benefit of age and experience and knowing so well how your friends will react and flourish
Show threadJustin BruceFeb 25, 2024
@LostReflector @chopaganda @ry_storm @Bandino @vriphish76 well said. one other thing that popped into my mind is that in 1.0 they’d chase a melody or a motif through a tour or a year. sometimes in 3.0, too, but more as a crutch, imo. and that’s not a thing in this more complex 4.0 conversation.
Show threadTHE Bandino

@justinbruce @LostReflector @chopaganda @ry_storm @vriphish76

See I totally disagree--what y’all call “complex” or “mature” or “experimental” are Phish jams that just don’t really gel melodically or rhythmically and descend into sludgy effects or randomness that really isn’t difficult for any band to do if they have great gear/effects. Which is pretty much every 3.0 Melt. It’s cool in the moment, but that’s it. And I think they still fall into all the same formulaic traps they always have.

Feb 25, 2024 at 8:25pmWeb
Show threadChopFeb 25, 2024
@Bandino @justinbruce @LostReflector @ry_storm @vriphish76 As much as we don’t want to hear it—especially since it’s from you—there is some truth in what you just posted. Not saying I’m fully aligned in the least. But there is some truth to it.
Show threadTHE BandinoFeb 25, 2024

@chopaganda @justinbruce @LostReflector @ry_storm @vriphish76

The Bandummy™️ appreciates your support Chop 😂