After a long two year hiatus, Phish splashes back into the pond with the welcome Round Room. Soft and jazzy, this latest release is a bit of a departure for the cult jammers. There's just about as much (if not more) Paige on piano than Trey on guitar.
Round Room is definitely the most subtle album Phish has released in their nearly 20 year swim. And their signature blend of funk, country, and blues takes a backseat in this mostly jazz-based opus. Round Room features all of the band¡¯s four members sharing vocal duties evenly, mixing together perfectly and creating some tasty harmonies.
The only reason I held back from giving this album a perfect 5 is because it's just not as eclectic as most of their other albums. Along with the jazz I did catch a little latin, and folk rock, but I felt a little cheated out of Phish's classic blend. Nevertheless, this album makes for a great addition to your jazz collection and a perfect album for those long freeway drives to see your favorite band in concert.