ntro to Phish: Part I — The Records
Phish are very much a live band, but their musical evolution is best shown in their recorded music. Their early recordings are characterized by Anastasio’s elaborate compositional work. You can hear how he’s influenced by Frank Zappa and jazz guitarist Pat Metheny in early works from the first album Junta (1988). Many of their signature songs come from this period:
These are live perfomances, but you’ll get the picture.
“Divided Sky”
“You Enjoy Myself” — (this song = essence)
“Fluffhead”
An important part of Phish lore came from these early days — For his senior thesis at Goddard College, Anastrasio wrote a rock opera entitled “Gamehenge.” Here’s the story behind it; it’s kinda cheesy, yet awesome. The dozen or so tracks that comprise Gamehenge were never released, but are often played live. My favorite Gamehenge songs:
“Lizards”
“Famous Mockingbird”
“Wilson” (fan favorite that I hate)
Phish released Lawn Boy in 1990, recording it after winning studio time in a Burlington battle of the bands. This material was written at around the same time as Junta. A quick ditty called “Bounce Around the Room” found airplay on public radio, and became an entry point for early Phish heads.
“Bouncing Around the Room”
Mostly it was more epic, composed material …
“Reba”
“Run Like an Antelope
Phish got super fusion-y with their next record, Picture of Nectar (1992). This record best shows the band’s range — they play straight-up jazz (”Magilla”), bluegrass (”Poor Heart”), latin (”The Landlady”), rock (”Tweezer”) and barbershop (”Catapult”) on this record. Compositions like “Llama” and “Stash” find the middle ground between the various styles. This middle ground would come to be recognized as the “Phish sound.”
“Stash”
“Poor Heart”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CufZeggJ_gc&feature=PlayList&p=B290C7D73F866DFF&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=5
With the Hoist (1993) album, Phish was looking for a radio hit. The shorter, more accessible songs are dense jams with a tighter, more straight-ahead rock feel than previous works. They’re still looking for that radio hit.
“Down With Disease” video by bassist Mike Gordon!
“Sample in a Jar”
Rift (1994) is the best. It’s the concept record. The apex of their studio work. Delicate, complex and inwardly-looking.
“Horn” — The solo section is pure introspection (1:20)
“It’s Ice” — One of the most unique opening riffs ever written; epic fugue section (3:00-5:20)
“Mound” (+1) math rock
“Maze” — Climactic Phish
After Rift, the band decided to chill the fuck out. The Billy Breathes (1996) record gets sort of beardcore at times: Simple songs (again, secret prog). This was the record that non-Phish heads like, especially girls that were into DMB.
“Taste”
“Prince Caspian” — The ambient jam on this is an example of post-rock Phish
“Free” — Don’t like this one, lots of people love it.
Story of the Ghost (1998) was the democratic album. All songs were written as a group, a change from the past, which was mostly Anastasio bringing in material he wrote himself. Around the time this record was recorded, Phish had developed its signature “Cow Funk” sound — kinda like the Talking Heads + The Meters x LSD. Notice the use of the Boomerage phrase sampler.
“Moma Dance”
“Meat”
Farmhouse (2000) was odds and ends from Ghost. Arguably the last important Phish recording to date. A combination of big rock jams and poppy classic rock.
“First Tube” — love this
“Piper” — throw glowsticks!
