ChopApr 23, 2024

I’ve now seen this in 3 group texts.

Why can’t we all agree that what #Phish is doing now is incredible at this stage of the game—defies all expectations for a 40yo band.

But it’s also fairly formulaic, the newer material is largely a big downgrade, and overall it’s not on the level it was when they were hungry and out to destroy the world.

It’s still the best show on earth. And that’s fucking amazing—especially when you look at how soft and squishy their play was from 2017-2020.

Show threadPete ⭕️ Apr 23, 2024

@chopaganda I actually love the new material; Evolve, LSG, Oblivion, Pillow Jets…for me, these songs yield the best jams.

Overall, I’ve found the jamming style to be exceedingly redundant. I don’t feel the need to revisit jams over and over as say, 2013 fall or 2015 summer jams. There’s nothing to “grab” onto anymore. Not sure if I’m making any sense, but I kept thinking this while listening back to the tweezer jam and other big jams from this Vegas run.

Show threadChopApr 23, 2024
@Phreba It makes perfect sense, and I think a lot of us experience this. The jams are amazing in the moment but they don’t have that “4 working as 1” feeling and aren’t thematic enough to get the same kind of joy playing over and over.
Show threadPete ⭕️ Apr 23, 2024
@chopaganda exactly! I love them while I’m there seeing the show. But it just doesn’t hit right afterwards or even listening back. Not true for all jams, but most big jams have felt that way over the last year. It feels a little bit like navel gazing with pedal effect on top of pedal effect and then key change to more pedal effects, rinse and repeat.
Show threadEvdudeApr 23, 2024

@Phreba @chopaganda I started a thread about this last year. While I totally agree that the current jams lack a “composition-on-the-fly” quality with distinct and super-memorable sections, there is just so much nuance to dig into now. The depth of these jams is so impressive, and if you keep spinning them, you’ll keep finding new and interesting bits.

Improv is the #1 thing I care about when it comes to Phish, and I just can’t find a single complaint with the current approach.

Show threadChop
@Evdude @Phreba I don’t want my comments to come off as complaints. I’m absolutely thrilled with what they are doing these days. It defies all logic. It just doesn’t grab me on relisten in the same way as much as I want it to.
Apr 23, 2024 at 6:54pmWeb
Show threadEvdudeApr 23, 2024

@chopaganda @Phreba oh, I know you’re not complaining…even an expert jaded vet like yourself can’t complain at this juncture ;)

I totally get what you’re saying, though. I used to respin jams with specific sections in mind, but now it’s more about being surprised and delighted by what I maybe didn’t catch on my first 1-2 spins. It’s much more about the journey now, which sounds like some hippie BS, but it’s kinda true (I think).

Show threadPete ⭕️ Apr 23, 2024
@chopaganda @Evdude I second that, absolutely love where they are and this is nitpicking at the highest level. That said, it doesn’t grab me as much as jamming styles from other eras. I saw Ryan compare it to 99 and I think that’s accurate. That said, ‘99 is not my go to choice when I listen back to 1.0 phish. This is coming down to do I like chocolate covered pretzels in my ice cream or not. It’s all good!
Show threadEvdudeApr 23, 2024
@Phreba @chopaganda oh, 100%...nitpicking is one of my favorite pastimes. I like to think of myself as an equal opportunist. I like chocolate covered pretzels, PB cups, Oreo crumbles...sometimes even plain :)
Show threadPete ⭕️ Apr 23, 2024
@Evdude @chopaganda lol, pretty sure I’d have nothing to say or think if I didn’t “nitpick”. It’s a goddam art form at times…
Show threadEvdudeApr 23, 2024
@Phreba @chopaganda 😂 😂
Show threadPolarJRApr 23, 2024
@chopaganda @Evdude @Phreba IMO the jamming in DWD, Light and Piper is simply great Phish…for any era. 🤷‍♂️ Same goes for 12/31/23 AC/DC, Mexico Wave of Hope + Chalkdust.
Show threadEvdudeApr 23, 2024
@polarjr @chopaganda @Phreba Totally agree that they are at the very top of their improvisational game. Mexico Chalkdust is truly one of the best jams ever, IMO.