Six Degrees of Phish
Posted: October 13, 2009 Filed under: Listening | Tags: Games Without Frontiers, Hugh Padgham, Joy, Peter Gabriel, phish, Songfacts.com, Steve Lillywhite, Wikipedia Leave a comment »Wow, I have not much at all tonight. The best I can do is make an observation – Peter Gabriel’s “Games Without Frontiers” makes for terrific Metro listening. The song popped up on the iPod during my commute this evening, and I suddenly felt like I was in a music video on the blue line.
Also, via Songfacts via Wikipedia, I learn that the whistling in that song was done by Gabriel, Hugh Padgham, and Steve Lillywhite. The latter, incidentally, produced “Joy,” Phish’s last record.
First Thoughts on “Joy”
Posted: September 8, 2009 Filed under: Artists, Listening | Tags: Joy, phish 1 Comment »- First, this is good, solid rock and roll. That’s pretty much what I thought when I first heard “Backwards Down the Number Line,” which debuted at Hampton this year.
- Speaking of that song, its chorus, with the two vocal parts, gives me goosebumps.
- Joy, the title track, is beautiful. The first listen brought tears to my eyes. I listened to it again after going through the whole record.
- I can’t remember where, but I saw some dismissive commentary about the Mike and Page tunes. I actually think the songs are critical to the record. Mike’s song, “Sugar Shack,” shows off the same originality that he brings to his solo stuff. I think that’s key to mix with the Anastasio/Marshall material. As for Page’s song, it was the only one that made me laugh. And even when he’s half joking, it’s clear how that dude can sing.
- I love “Time Turns Elastic.” That song has only grown on me.
- Bands evolve. I’m sure some folks will be disappointed with this one, because the chops aren’t quite as frothy as the old school stuff. No stops on a dime (e.g. You Enjoy Myself), not much in the way of trademark insane crescendos (e.g. Llama), and the vocal parts are solid but not really clever or over the top (e.g. Bouncing Around the Room). I’m not disappointed. I feel like I’ve been on a journey with these guys since 1990. I’m sticking with them.
Joy!
Posted: September 8, 2009 Filed under: Listening | Tags: associated press, bullshit, Joy, New Releases, phish, Washington Post Leave a comment »
I downloaded “Joy” this evening, and I’m excited to give it a listen. Dude, I may even have to buy my children “Joy” t-shirts.
It seems like reception to the album has been very positive, including this Associated Press review from today.
I have to do a little calling out on the first paragraph of that story, though.
The finicky fans of Phish have never been much satisfied with the Vermont jamband’s studio offerings — if they were, they wouldn’t go to such extremes to catch the band live.
Hmmmm. That’s bullshit.
Here’s a sort of related thought from the Washington Post’s recent write up.
No band’s success is less related to the popularity of its albums than Phish’s.
Well, that’s less bullshit, I suppose, but not entirely accurate either. A friend of mine worked at Elektra Records back in the day. I think I remember him telling me that one reason Elektra liked Phish was that their records consistently sold a decent amount (can’t remember what). Not gigantor, but consistent. I also remember friends of mine who worked in the record biz telling me that one key to getting signed was the proven ability to sell tens of thousands of records. Phish had that ability. So in that sense, the popularity of the band’s albums has indeed been related to its success.
Always Nice to Have Something to Look Forward to
Posted: July 23, 2009 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Joy, New Releases, phish 2 Comments »“Joy” release date has been set for 09/08/09.
Joy
Posted: June 26, 2009 Filed under: Listening | Tags: Backwards Down the Number Line, Joy, New Releases, phish, Time Turns Elastic Leave a comment »That’s the name of the new Phish record.
Phish will be releasing Joy, their first studio album in five years, later this summer on JEMP Records. The record was recorded in New York City this spring with producer Steve Lillywhite.
I’ve heard two songs from the new one. The first is “Time Turns elastic,” blogged by the greater Fretbuzz community here and here. The second is “Backwards Down the Number Line,” a straightforward, bouncy rock song that Phish first played at their triumphant return to the stage in Hampton, VA earlier this year.
Always nice to have something to look forward to.
