Don't make em like they used to

Phish Albums
#1

Time and again, when I pull out my Phish albums, I keep coming back to Ghost as my latter-day favorite, no question. How did the forces at work within the creative minds of our boys converge to record this masterpiece? It’s a mystery to me.

Most albums since SotG - especially Undermind, Round Room, and even Joy - seem to lack something that Ghost had. They’re nice, and kinda poppy, but generally pretty bland. I get bored. There are some cool songs here and there but for the most part, those tunes feel tame to me.

Ghost, on the other hand, has something special about it. It’s ‘mature’ Phish, synthesizing elements of all that has come before, while still retaining a unique sound that sets it apart from all the albums since. For whatever reason, the subsequent albums are missing some vital ingredient that SotG has.

So, what happened? Why don’t they record albums like Ghost anymore?

#2

Late '97 and early '98 must have been a very magical time for the band. I personally consider the Island Tour to be the pinnacle of 1.0 Phish, and they decided to play those shows in the middle of recording SOTG. I guess it was the culmination of all those months of '97 cow funk that put the boys in a special mood to create such an incredible album.

#3

Round Room is my favorite Phish studio output.

:shh:

#4

Your secret is safe with me, William.

#5

What about Farmhouse?

#6

What about Farmhouse.

#7

I’m just curious on the thoughts about it here. Farmhouse (and 2000 in general) seem like the connecting beam between 1.0 and 2.0 Phish.

#8

Nah, I don’t think so man. A lot of stuff that was on Farmhouse had already been done live before it’s May 00 release. Their jams were pretty different in 2000 than they were in 2003.

But as far as studio albums go, it’s one of my favorites.

#9

Oddly enough I usually turn to Ghost as well. When really I think about it though, I don’t think it’s any better than Rift or Billy…there’s just something about Ghost though. I can’t say for sure what changed post SotG, but something sure did…although I did get that feeling once again a little bit during Round Room

#10

Good point. However, I think I viewed it as the connecting piece moreso chronologically than musically.

#11

Joy is good, but I might have to say that BB might be my overall fave to date… I dunno, I like most areas in all studio albums… I like to think they have a special moment or two in every release!

#12

It’s mine too. We could start a support group.