Wanted: A new album by Phish that continues to prove their worth as the nineties feel good rock gods.

It seems the title about says it all. If Phish continues to put out albums like this one their band will become an apparition. Where are the good old days of Fee? Why can't we have another Rift? This album just is not up to par. The introduction to every song is not unusual, a spacey rock jam with a funky beat, but then just as you are about to bounce around the room again, it leaves you high and dry aching for some real upbeat rock sounds. Most of the tracks on this album sound like you just entered an eighties style arcade, booming James Brown, while a church holds mass next door and you can hear it through uninsulated walls. I could not decide whether I should get up and boogie to the bootsie style bass riffs, or kneel and pray to the synthesized pipe organ. Either way this is just not a good combination.

The only keeper on this outing is "Fikus." This song is reminiscent of the old style Phish, and I am anxious to hear them play it live. The song holds out with good steady riffs and lyrics about freedom. There is a kind of similarity between this song and the songs on the legendary album Junta.

Here's my advice, listen to it first and if you are a dedicated Phish fan you will probably enjoy it. If you are interested in the band, but are not familiar with their music, pass this one by--there's better Phishing on their other albums.