Can’t believe The Ghost hadn’t been commented on. I glorious album at a glorious time in Phishtory…Fall 98. I can remember the first time I heard it like it was yesterday and can’t believe that was almost 7 years ago???
Geez… 7 years from that album? Now you have me feeling old. :’( 
I’m with Icculus, great to have you here with us! Ghost is such a damn good album. One word, Guyute. Guyute. Guyute. Maaaaaaaaaaan Guyute!!! How??? Listen to Fish’s drums change rhythm completely, I can’t remember just where in the song it is but listen aaaaaah!
SOTG was probably when Phish made their transition to “funk/groove” sound. For some reason, I like that sound a lot better than “arena rock” Phish of '93-'96. This is music you can chill out to and let your mind wander for moments on end. Earlier Phish was great, but just a bit much to listen to sometimes. DON’T get me wrong, I LOVE Phish and “get” them, but SOTG was a MAJOR turning point.
I would say that ghost is my favorite phish album, Roggae, Boaf,Guyute,Limb by limb, and moma dance. Fantastic. in my opinion (mind you this is my opinion) the music off off this album made the best live music. Roggae, Boaf, and moma dance especially. And lyricly Oh man fantastc this entire album was fantastic, Boaf has some of my favorite lines.
I feel that the Siket Disc (recorded around the same time) is a much better representation of the Phish I know and love. Like most of their studio albums, I felt like SOTG is watered down and neutered, aside from the compositional songs–which is why I think Junta still holds up.
Then again, I’m in love with Black Eyed Katy and the Ghost from 11/17/97, so I’m hopelessly biased.
I think Billy Breathes and Story are the closest Phish came to making “great” rock records. Together they are kind of companions to me like “American Beauty”, and “Workingman’s Dead” or “Let it Bleed” and “Beggar’s Banquet”
I think sadly Phish failed, like the Dead, to make a really great record like “Dark Side of the Moon”, “London Calling”, “Abbey Road”, “Fun House”, etc…
The Siket Disk is a great “experimental” record
phish definately left us with some albums that hint at their talent but sometimes don’t completely reward the listener with production. but SOTG is a smooth sounding album to me.
yup, definitely smooth sounding. one of their albums that you can listen to all the way through (along with Rift and Farmhouse).
good call
Ghost was one of the last CDs that I bought from Phish and it is easily one of my favorites. Cletus said it, Guyute is badass all around.
one of my top 5 favorite phish albums
This album is special because with contributions to the setlist like Ghost, Wading, Brian and Robert, etc. in '97 it sent Phish’s setlist to perhaps an altime high.
When SOTG came out in stores, I ditched class, ran to the closest CD shop and made my purchase. Then i wore the hell out of that CD. Always in close rotation. In my car,In my walkman, at home…At that time in my life, nothing could be sweeter. I still to this day get chills whenever I hear that note in Velvet sea.
Chills, man…Chills
the studio version of meat on that is better than any live version ive heard and the best song on that album imo
meat kicks asssssss
I love ghost’s songs live. Ghost is not my favorite album in the classic sense though. But yet nothing is in the classic sense with phish, thats why I love 'em
Meat kicks bASS
I finally bought this album. It’s one of those albums that feels longer than it is. I mean, it’s less than 50 minutes long but since there’s 14 songs it’s always felt looooonnggg to me.
That said, I love it. Other than ‘Guyute’, which I will argue until I die DOES NOT belong on the album, it holds together beautifully as a united piece of music. There’s a very specific vibe to the album, in the same way that Billy Breathes has an unqualifiable vibe.
^Once again an insightful analysis Gregory. I agree with the Guyute sentiment. Being written much earlier than the albums release it is clearly unlike all the others… the last of the last for compositional writing style phish. Its a throw back and I always felt it was there to fill space. I would’ve liked to have seen updated material in place of Guyute.
and I get a kick out of comments like this. Seems to point to the time when this chap got into phish. BB was probably the first phish album he heard… and if not I simply don’t agree. SOTG a rock album??? KNOT!