Thursday 11/07/2013 by bertoletdown

PHISHING POLL THURSDAY, VOL. 10: BEST OF WINGSUIT

And we're back! Did you miss us? Let's go right after the elephant in the room, shall we?

Below the fold, you can use your thumbs to tell us what Wingsuit tunes you think most deserve a permanent home on the new album and in the repertoire. The staff here definitely has our own favorites, but this is about you, so get in there and get dirty. The action's in the comments...

[ranker width="450" height="711" title="Phishing Poll Thursday, Vol. 10: Best of Wingsuit" id="1062116" link="http://www.ranker.com/list/phishing-poll-thursday-vol-10-best-of-wingsuit/phishingpoll" /]

You can listen to the whole Halloween show here: http://www.phishtracks.com/shows/2013-10-31.

If you liked this blog post, one way you could "like" it is to make a donation to The Mockingbird Foundation, the sponsor of Phish.net. Support music education for children, and you just might change the world.


Comments

, comment by vollski
vollski The more I listen, the more I like most of the album.

Wingsuit: solid late set slow-it-down replacement for your Show of Cheese / Joy.
Fuego: early second set barnburner. This is gonna be opened up into some 15-20 minute monsters. Like a modern, more easy to follow (for the band) Melt in terms of feel.
The Line: Fun 1st setter, gonna get some XM play for sure on non-Jam On stations.
Monica: Post 1st set acoustic, ala their current a cappella options?
Waiting All Night: At first I thought this was a downer.. and lyrically it still is. Should be fine mid-1st set for a breather. Good bouncy melodies in the background.
Wombat: We can only hope this is the new, longer Tube - MOAR FUNK JAMZ PLZ
Snow: Either needs to be an instrumental, or simply not played live. Mike can't sing this.
Devotion to a Dream: A little poppy but I think this can actually be a RnR-esque launchpad for soild rock jamming. Time will only tell.
555: Major jamz potential. Fun gordo uniqueness without getting too unaccessible.
Winterqueen: Should probably be kept with TAB... basically just another Ocelot with different words, more guitar melody.
Amidst the Peals of Laughter: Best kept as a deep cut and out of live shows.
You Never Know: Like The Line, good first setter.

Very much looking forward to the MSG run.
, comment by bryontreece
bryontreece The only song I skip over is Snow, and that's just due to the horrible attempt at vocals. Musically it's good, but I just can't sit through listening to Mike try to sing castrato. Also, from what I've been hearing/reading, I'm surprised that "You Never Know" isn't getting more love. That might just be my favorite of the lot, but I pretty much dig the whole thing through & through.
, comment by ContemplatingJazz
ContemplatingJazz I think Amidst the Peals isn't getting enough love. My first thought was that it sounds like a Dylan deep cut, and if that wasn't enough, after hearing Tom Marshall's explanation of its meaning I was sold. Really pretty tune
, comment by Matt_Leaf
Matt_Leaf The verse of Jack and Jill just kills it for me (not in a good way)
, comment by skidmorephish
skidmorephish The tune i can't stop listening to is Feugo. Best addition to the Phish catalog in quite some time. Rollin'...rollin'...rollin'
, comment by TelaJewel
TelaJewel Wingsuit and Fuego are the two that top my list. Shouldn't Halfway to the Moon be up there too? I was super much happy to hear that they were including it on Wingsuit :)
, comment by User_25940_
User_25940_ 1 - Fuego
2 - The Line
3 - Wombat
4 - Wingsuit
5 - 555
6 - Monica
7 -Waiting All Night
8 - Amidst The Peals of Laughter
--------------------------------------
the rest I don't expect to hear much more of, but these 8 songs are wonderful new additions.
, comment by soul_shakedown
soul_shakedown The song wingsuit is amazing....phish crushed it on Halloween night...let the haters hate
, comment by iflifewaseasy
iflifewaseasy Wombat is awkward and sloppy and just not my style... I love funk but this song is my least favorite of the bunch... I don't care if I'm dead to anyone for saying it either.
Fuego is my second least favorite of the bunch. I don't get why everyone like it.
I see a good bit of potential in The Line, Monica, Waiting All Night, 555, and even Wingsuit (for melody, not lyrics). Amidst the Peals is a good tune but the nursery rhyme and chorus are kinda sugary for me. Winterqueen is kinda boring to me. I did not like Devotion to a Dream as much either but its not bad per say. You Never Know has good melody but weird words and story behind it. Snow has great melody but vocals and projection need work.

My .02
, comment by keepwhatsimportant
keepwhatsimportant agree with @iflifewaseasy. wombat and fuego are my two LEAST favorites. don't get the hype. agree with pretty much everything else he/she said too : )
, comment by iflifewaseasy
iflifewaseasy Oh yeah, and Halfway To The Moon is wonderful! Need that on the album!
, comment by SilentHorse
SilentHorse Does anyone else hear the similarities in the melody to Monica and the theme song to Revenge of the Nerds? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=galiqUxBzbc
, comment by iflifewaseasy
iflifewaseasy thanks keepwhatsimportant, and i am a man :)
, comment by fluffhead108
fluffhead108 A rough ranking (though choosing #1 was the toughest, since most are good and none stand out yet):

1. Wingsuit
2. Fuego
3. Monica
4. 555
5. Wombat (they need to prove to me that the first part of this song isn't terrible)
6. Devotion to a Dream
7. Amidst the Peals of Laughter
8. Winterqueen
9. The Line
10. Waiting All Night
-----noticeable drop off--------
11. You Never Know
12. Snow
, comment by ericwyman
ericwyman @Matt_Leaf said:
The verse of Jack and Jill just kills it for me (not in a good way)
Check out the song history
, comment by TelaJewel
TelaJewel @SilentHorse said:
Does anyone else hear the similarities in the melody to Monica and the theme song to Revenge of the Nerds? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=galiqUxBzbc
OMG yes! Hahahha!
, comment by unoclay
unoclay Can someone confirm--are we supposed to have voting buttons? My browser is acting nuts and I cant tell.

For me, I'd rank the songs as follows:

Waiting All Night
Fuego
Wingsuit
Wombat

and then everything else I like (for real), but those four stand out strongest.

, comment by iflifewaseasy
iflifewaseasy silenthorse-

and waiting all night sounds like yem in the beginning a bit doesn't it? with the arpeggiation (making up a word here LOL)?
and whats with the tweezer reprise lick inserted into 555?
uhmmm thats already a song that needs no revision and already has a reprise :)
, comment by iflifewaseasy
iflifewaseasy also-

my commentary is based simply on how much i like the melodies and lyrics, and not how much i think these songs sound like old phish, though i did like songs more if they sounded like something phishy. most of these songs seem a bit more radio friendly and poppy, which is not my favorite phish, but i welcome new phish always as i love to watch the evolution of my favorite band in the world. i too am growing and changing.

when i first heard the album and realized what they were doing on halloween while streaming, i figured it was a prank and they would cover some album at some point... still not sure how i feel about the presentation of this wingsuit album, in lieu of a CLASSIC album, and BREAKING TRADITION, which is big to me and other fans who traveled to the show. that shocked me. i wasn't necessarily happy with that, though i've gotten over it since and have learned to appreciate some of the material now through time and re-listens

more of my .02
, comment by frsbeeman
frsbeeman its so confusing to me that people don't like Wombat, but to each his own i guess.
, comment by unoclay
unoclay @iflifewaseasy said:
when i first heard the album and realized what they were doing on halloween while streaming, i figured it was a prank and they would cover some album at some point... still not sure how i feel about the presentation of this wingsuit album, in lieu of a CLASSIC album, and BREAKING TRADITION, which is big to me and other fans who traveled to the show.
I was, and remain shocked, at how many fish fans expressed feelings similar to yours. It's as though people have forgotten the primary, fundamental rule of phish: surprise is the only constant. It's literally the only reason to keep seeing a band after X # of years. Repetition (aka traditions) are something to rail against, not expect.

"Expectations" have ruined more shows than any glowstick war, woo chant, or whale calls combined. (For the record, i love all of these things.)

One of these days they're going to repeat a setlist too, and people will freak out, and I will be overjoyed--phish, just breaking the rules (meant to be broken) as they always do.

Glad to hear it's growing on you!
, comment by iflifewaseasy
iflifewaseasy everyone wants to be surprised. i am always surprised by this band, and i have not forgotten to expect surprises, nor have many other fans. in our defense:

no one wants to be hoodwinked into thinking tradition will be upheld, and it takes a lot of balls, ego, or lack thereof to present your own new album in lieu of a classic album.
it was cool to be different, but another night would have been better in my opinion.

"but thats just like my opinion, man"
, comment by ZipZam
ZipZam Of the second set, the first few songs are great and the last few are great, the songs in the middle of the set, I really didn't care for.

1. Wingsuit
2. The Line
3. Monica
4. Winter Queen
5. You Never Know
6. Amidst the Pearls (Taken out once every other year on Mother/Father's Day)

The following don't strike my fancy
Half way to the Moon (Kinda of get bored with that song in the beg, middle and end)
555 (Meeh, sounds like an amalgamation of all of Mike songs)
Devotion to a Dream (Lyrics are interesting, composition isn't)
Snow (Just terrible)

Wombat - Really, middle age white boy rap? Come on, admit it, you're all in love with the name and the character and concept of a Wombat, but not actually the song.
, comment by Josh006
Josh006 After seeing this costume live, I REALLY liked Fuego and Wombat and feel like 555 has MAJOR potential. Monica was a great, albeit "pop"py tune.

I know that I'm getting voted down for this, but I need to be blunt: Wingsuit was one of the single worst songs I've ever heard in my entire life by any band. I would MUCH rather be TTE'd. Trey is sitting up there crowing "it feels good" over and over again and I just wanted to exit the building. Given, I was a little disappointed in the "costume" choice upon entering the building, but FULLY changed my mind when they dropped into Fuego and a little encouragement from another fan... Still, Wingsuit was ridiculously torturous for me. Glad to hear others disliked it less, but I still stand by my initial feeling.
, comment by Josh006
Josh006 @iflifewaseasy said:
everyone wants to be surprised. i am always surprised by this band, and i have not forgotten to expect surprises, nor have many other fans. in our defense:

no one wants to be hoodwinked into thinking tradition will be upheld, and it takes a lot of balls, ego, or lack thereof to present your own new album in lieu of a classic album.
it was cool to be different, but another night would have been better in my opinion.

"but thats just like my opinion, man"
sign'd
, comment by relax_
relax_ I put myself in a bubble the afternoon of 10/31 until just after the 2nd set began, so hearing new phish in lieu of a cover album that night was a very surreal moment (and pleasant surprise). It didn't seem like a band with 30 years of experience performing -- it felt like day one all over again. Somehow, they'd shed their skin to reveal something fresh and new, but with that, a certain vulnerability shone through.

Anyway, I thought the show was amazing from my living room couch. I appreciate that they continue to challenge themselves as artists and us as fans (expectations). I really liked: Waiting All Night, Fuego, 555, Monica, and Wingsuit. I thought Wombat was a joke/antic for Halloween. I liked the funk, but...it's just...I don't know, I cringed a little watching it live. But I also laughed, so...I don't know. It's a new level of tension/release (cringe/laugh), lol.

, comment by haimishahead
haimishahead Winterqueen is sleek yo deff underrated
, comment by Josephiah
Josephiah I really like Waiting All Night, and love the outro with Page's little organ stabs - I could really see that swelling gently into a beautiful and delicate Roggae-esque jam.

Following that with Wombat... Let's just say I have no idea what the fuss is about. It has a nice groove, and I can see it would gee up the crowd nicely, but apart from that it seems to be four guys shouting at me over one constantly repeated chord. Boring!
, comment by CooGarn
CooGarn Personally, I thought the entire set of new, original music was better than any album cover they could have done, and the surprise and excitement for new material was great! I loved everything, save for Mike's singing on 'Snow', repetition of the phrase "Time to put your wingsuit on" (just a weird phrase to repeat so many times ;) ) and the use of the Jack & Jill nursery rhyme (even despite the song history).

But seriously, how has NO ONE mentioned the lack of STEAM!? I'm psyched that Trey mentioned "Halfway to the Moon" and it's possible/likely inclusion, but what about Steam? I will be SO bummed if it's not included. Such a rad tune imo :)
, comment by Jackmitz
Jackmitz Personally, I think y'all are sleeping on Winterqueen. There's a fucking beautiful song there.
, comment by elephantus
elephantus I've had several recurring dreams the last few nights where "The Line" vocal hooks and outro section loop incessantly. My vote is strong for The Line.
, comment by whatstheuse324
whatstheuse324 This is a kind of weird, crazy story, but it is absolutely true...

I was driving up to the second night of Worcester with one of my best friends from Rutgers that I've known for the last fifteen years. We used to be in a band with another friend back in the day, and on our drive up 287 through New Jersey, we passed the exit for his hometown. We started talking about him and I mentioned how he lived in the same neighborhood as the actor Abe Vigoda. Apparently, Abe is good friends with his family and would eat Thanksgiving dinner at his house every year. Fast forward a week and suddenly, of all the people in the world, Abe Vigoda is on stage with Phish for Wombat. For this alone, Wombat instantly has a place in my heart, (not to mention the awesome Godfather parody at the set break).

Fuego! I fell in love with this song right away. I think Waiting All Night and Winterqueen are the two songs most likely to get type II in the near future.
, comment by HockeyStickMic
HockeyStickMic For some reason, I keep going back to Waiting All Night. Mediocre lyrics, but tight harmonies and a catchy melody. It's a keeper.
, comment by LINDERAMA65
LINDERAMA65 amidst the peals of laughter is a great dity! lets vote it up!!!!
, comment by Jaybp30
Jaybp30 I get the mixed feelings on Wombat, it's really goofy and the band wasn't super tight but its fun and I think has potential to be a really funky extended jam. Not sure how anybody could hate on Fuego. That song is a monster. Whe they came in the "whoas" I was hooked. Can't stop listening. Wingsuit and The Line are both a+. I also love Monica and think it will probably be played electric live, which could open it up. I really don't hate anything but a few songs aren't top notch (winterqueen and sow, although the latter needs to be given a shot with some better singing).
, comment by tristan
tristan The song I'm surprised isn't getting more love is "You Never Know". It sort of reminds me of Waves, and I think has similar jamming potential. I'm not sure why, it just feels Phishy in the same way. Probably won't go too far out there (the IT Waves being an anomaly) but I still love the melody and think it's a keeper. While the setlist at AC obviously isn't an indication of the album tracklist they put it in the closing slot for a reason.

Agree that The Line is ridiculously catchy and I like it alot. But isn't that how most people felt about # Line when they broke that one? Just an observation. I happen to dig # Line and not to go too far off topic, but everyone always complains about its placement. LOL, no matter where they place it, people are gonna bitch!

Like others have said 555 seems to have the great potential to go deep.

Also, I hope Yarmouth Road makes it onto Wingsuit.
, comment by tristan
tristan In my "Waves" comparison I somehow neglected to consider the Bethel soundcheck. Fail! Waves and You Never Know still strike me as being kinda similar songs.
, comment by parrott56
parrott56 Yeah, I too have literally NO IDEA why You Never Know isn't getting more love. One of the most quintessentially Phishy songs of the set - bright and "poppy" but varied and musically rich. Also kind of reminds me of Time Loves a Hero. Can't get it out of my head.
, comment by Gratefulphish123
Gratefulphish123 @iflifewaseasy said:
silenthorse-

and waiting all night sounds like yem in the beginning a bit doesn't it? with the arpeggiation (making up a word here LOL)?
and whats with the tweezer reprise lick inserted into 555?
uhmmm thats already a song that needs no revision and already has a reprise :)
It's a snippet of the Bill grahmn 2012 Light jam, a jam that was basically a tweeprise tease but they built the tension to insanity then exploded the jam. i can see why its one of gordons favorite jam moments of late
, comment by GBrown
GBrown obviously after reading all the comments we can deduce one thing:
Every Song Is Someone's Favorite Song
it's amazing some people love songs that others dislike and vice versa.
remember that the next time you are at a show or listening at home and a song comes up that you don't go for, think of the happiness it brings others and try to find joy in that. appreciate what that song can do for others

oh and i was at halloween and i loved every minute of it. i was happy, relieved, ecstatic they were playing new material, before it even started. and from the first notes i knew it was on
winterqueen is probably my least favorite "song" but there is a jam at the end so if we get another one live it could rip. but not one i prefer on the album…
snow was the toughest live but could be great in the studio. i saw fikus my first show, man i would love to see that again but i just don't think it will happen. i feel very similar about seeing phish perform snow, this is one we may never see live again.
all the others are wonderful. this is by far the most i have relistened to a live set in a long time.

i am excited about new phish!
, comment by AliveSinceHampton95
AliveSinceHampton95 @SilentHorse said:
Does anyone else hear the similarities in the melody to Monica and the theme song to Revenge of the Nerds? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=galiqUxBzbc
No Doubt!!
, comment by tasatter
tasatter You can flame me, what do I care, but most of their songs only get interesting when they open up into unfamiliar territory. So, with that said, there's nothing great about any of the Wingsuit songs. In fact, Fuego is insipid and embarrassing. I am astonished it has garnered so much positive reaction. But, to each your own. I'll be at my next show enduring the composed sections of the new songs (with disdain), always hoping they blossom into real Phish.
, comment by IdRatherBeOnTour
IdRatherBeOnTour @ContemplatingJazz said:
I think Amidst the Peals isn't getting enough love. My first thought was that it sounds like a Dylan deep cut, and if that wasn't enough, after hearing Tom Marshall's explanation of its meaning I was sold. Really pretty tune
I agree!
, comment by funkbeard
funkbeard For the jack and jill haters, my 3-year-old daughter caught the reference and it pleased her. music for everyone.

Imagine Halfway to the Moon 3rd song. fits perfectly in the cycle there. This album is really special, even if not all songs have yet come into their own. This is the current state of the creative energy that is Phish. Very great.
, comment by bark_obama
bark_obama I must second the comment that people are sleeping on Winterqueen. Seriously great song.

Also I like the title track, not sure why it has gotten hate.
, comment by tubescreamer
tubescreamer Anyone else noticed melodies that are reminding them of Trey's "Shine" album? The piano bridge in Fuego, and the end of The Line in particular. Just put on Trey's tour closer where Mike sat in for the encore at Hammerstein Ballroom on 5-14-2005. Listen to that show if you haven't, it's the fire. Too bad Skeeto Valdez didn't get along with the band, he was one hell of a drummer. I digress-- stop complaining and put your wingsuit on.
, comment by drshaws
drshaws Yeah - this will bring good fun to almost any set. Party Time > Wombat.
Have to have that. You Wombat. Had that.

As one friend webcasting recounted to me - "Fishman rap = ultra win"

I also strongly second @vollski "MOAR FUNK JAMZ PLZ"

@frsbeeman said:
its so confusing to me that people don't like Wombat, but to each his own i guess.
, comment by LongislandPhan
LongislandPhan Wombat & Fuego are my favorites so far. Fuego will be a straight up Jam machine in the near future. I'm not even going to get into the haters... i don't understand you and i never will. I loved the "costume" and thought it was a great surprise, TOTALLY PHISHY.

Keep on Keepin on
, comment by MOstGhoSt
MOstGhoSt I agree too that winter queen is a beautiful and amazing song. I gotta say, I love this song. it made me think of summer tour at the mention of the summer queen and the constant drenching rain that occurred at several shows.

I also have a curiosity about "you never know" and wonder if the line about "maybe that bird needed a cage after all" is reflective of Kafka " I am a cage, in search of a bird". ( one of my favorite Kafka quotations )

I love fuego because I have in my mind created a permanent association connecting it to one of my friends with whom I attended this show. so this song to me will always be about said friend.

wombat is a real winner and I can't wait to hear it again live one day.

in the above poll, you guys did not include "snow" as an option for thumbs up rating.

I have been driving around in New York City and riding the subway listening to the recording of this show from beginning to end and then over again and I enjoy it greatly as a record, all songs included.

I read a lot of complaints about snow, though I have listened to it several times and imagine it was a very difficult song to execute under the live audience circumstances. it would be an excellent instrumental, though a studio recording would yield a more clear vocal result. I personally, like the result presented at ac live. people need to check themselves and not harsh so mean on the cactus. I wonder if you met Mike Gordon in a cafe and could say a few words with him, would you say " yea your song "snow" is like poop in the center of a perfect buffet", or whatever. why do people say mean things on a forum that they could not have courage to say directly to an artist if they met in person?

I enjoy the record "wingsuit" as is and would hope Phish records all songs in the same order as the record with the only change being inspired adjustments instrumentally and the addition of more songs to the record if such inspiration happens. I say this after listening and listening multiple times since retuning home from ac. the record is a suitable soundtrack for a New York pedestrian in motion through urban landscape.
, comment by Jevers
Jevers They should have called the album/costume FUEGOOOOO!

Keep it rollin'
, comment by bertoletdown
bertoletdown @MOstGhoSt said:

in the above poll, you guys did not include "snow" as an option for thumbs up rating.
Yeah, we did, actually. Check again -- you might need to scroll down with your cursor inside the widget.

Thanks.
, comment by idk_industries
idk_industries 1. You Never Know
2. 555
3. Wombat
4. Fuego
5. Wingsuit
6. Waiting All Night
7. The Line
8. Monica
9. Winterqueen
10. Snow
11. Amidst the Peals of Laughter
12. Devotion to a Dream

1. You Never Know
Phish are writing this album from the heart and, for the first time, asking their audience to take their lyrics seriously (or at least with a smaller grain of salt than usual). The new music is so sincere and the writing has been handled with such care, i was actually genuinely proud to be a fan. Proud of Phish for finally casting off their typical and often endearing whimsy in favor of mature and concerted songwriting. The more music a person has listened to, I think, the less endearing the zany lyrics. I think in their heyday their sheer technical prowess as musicians allowed them to get away with a lot of strange subject matter; today the band has had to change gears. The new album will de different from in the others in that you'll be able to put it on at a party and have someone say "who is this? i dig it." instead of something like "wtf is going on in this song, man? put on some Litte Feat or something." "You Never Know" is great because it is a story song and it is set in the real world. Country and Western as well as Folk fans love great story songs. Think of Bob Dylan's "Black Diamond Bay" or Mearle Haggard's "I Am A Lonesome Fugitive." Phish's twist on the genre is their uncanny and practiced ability to straddle vagueness with their writing. The listener couldn't create a timeline of the story that's being told, or even name or describe the characters, but the idea of being robbed in Mexico is implicit and vivid enough that one's imagination creates the imagery and plays with the scenes. "landed the jet with the limo runnin" "but i just met two guys with piles of cash" and other scenes have strong imagery and the context of the song, delivered by Trey before the song, only adds to the intrigue, just like any good autobiographical country song (Johnny Cash's "Man in Black" ;) . It's simply great songwriting and I hope the boys like to play this song as much as I like to hear it. I am biased for this song because it is evidence that Phish is moving in the direction I've been waiting for since becoming a fan: Away from antics, away from spectacle, away from face-melting, and towards playing from a more traditional posture (while peppering in that incredible musicianship and technical skill) and also toward songwriting which is easily related to. I once got my wallet stolen in Barcelona, so in a way I can relate to their experience. It sounds corny, but it's the backbone of legendary songwriters, and Phish is finally attempting it.

2. 555
Has anyone else listened to Mike Gordon's solo albums Inside In, The Green Sparrow, Moss, Clone or Sixty Six Steps? Mike is a talented songwriter in his own right. If you haven't, check out "Horizon Line" "Idea" "Another Door" "Couch Lady" "The Beltless Buckler". Not to mention his stint with guitar legend and songwriter Leo Kottke. I wish Phish would hand the reins to Mike. Trey is cuddly, but Mike is muscular. Mike's lyrics have more interesting content and less pure emotional expression. If you aren't that into Trey's epic emotional ballads ("Drifting" "Dirt" "Waste" etc) then you should be for more Mike input. Acaster wrote a great history for this song. It's a song about a dharma bum being robbed and leaving town on the train -- aka an experience perhaps many old phish fans could relate to. Anyone else get a "Sloth" vibe from this tune? Dark lyrics and great imagery: I really hope Mike writes as much as possible for the new album. And, on Halloween they didn't even give the song a proper jam, just a trippy fade-out for a trey ballad "winterqueen."

3. Wombat
Pure fun. Comedic relief and chunky tones from Paige, gotta love it. The tune actually has great potential for jams. All of Trey's pedals sound so fucking good lately and he could easily bring in a ton of different sounds for this song. More wah, more phaser, more delay and small loops, please. Boomerrang it once in a while, Trey, geeze... My gripe with this tune is that on Halloween it was used in combination with the dancers and VigodaBat aka more phish antics. Am I the only one who would rather just have no antics shows, with less lights? Phish should play indoors at small clubs more. Nevermind, I'm just rambling... Fucking great song to have in their repertoire. loved it.

4. Fuego
great lyrics, but they shouldn't say "rollin" so much. For real, only do it a few times and it will be better. too much and it gets corny really fast, imho. great music and composition, though.

5. Wingsuit
Sonically smooth and contoured. It's a real groover and scratches the same itch as "Roggae" "Moma Dance" "the Wedge" and "the Mango Song". I'm a fan of slower Phish so this appealed to me. It's the "Stir It Up" of Phish tunes.

6. Waiting All Night
Dark and sombre ballad. Page sounds great.

7. The Line
More songwriting set in the real world and, as Trey said, about people. Cool premise but they overdid the "...clinging to the notion you'll be..." repition in the outro blemished the song in my opinion. What a great opening and first couple verses; if you didn't know the song's context this song could be interpreted in a wide variety of ways and that is a characteristic of great songwriting. Heavily repeating the lyrics just felt so juvenile and honestly the first time i listened to it i was taken aback -- it went from a pop jazz funk groove to dumb pop in no time at all. if I were Phish's coach I'd say cut that shit out and stick with a tight short jam.

8. Monica
Anyone else think this sounds like a Dead song? Regardless, the lyrics and wordplay are fun and the tune is uplifting. Acoustic guitar is more evidence of a calmed down Phish, and that's cool with me.

9. Winterqueen
Great imagery, but it is a Trey ballad and I just Mike's writing is so much deeper and more interesting. This should be a TAB song. For some reason I think that Trey's daughter spoke "i wish that i controlled the skies" and it stuck with him? Trey's family has influenced his writing a ton and sometimes it's good and sometime's it's decent.

10. Snow
Mike's work in progress, I'm assuming. I liked but it just needs to be developed and approached in a different way. Mike's time spent with Leo Kottke is showing in this tune I think.

11. Amidst the Peals of Laughter
Down with Phish whimsy. I'd be embarrassed to put this on during a party among people unfamiliar with Phish.

12. Devotion to a Dream
I like the lyrical content but the song is radio friendly and not really pushing any boundaries for Trey. It's last place because "all it was was a fairy tale and devotion to a dream" is a dumb lyric. Trey is married and it is painfully obvious in his songwriting and I just don't like it. It's way too personal and overtly about marriage. You could interpret it differently, but would you?

I was extremely pleased to hear Trey being so candid near the end of the album.
, comment by idk_industries
idk_industries @GBrown said:
obviously after reading all the comments we can deduce one thing:
Every Song Is Someone's Favorite Song
hell yeah
a sign that it's all good new material
, comment by metzlhead
metzlhead My favorites after the first listen are Wombat, Monica and Wingsuit, in that order. That will probably change after a few listens. In the past it seems that the songs I liked the least eventually became my favorites. Not just on Phish albums. I am really excited about the new album being produced by Bob Ezrin, and I'm really proud of the boys. I feel that they are on top of their game, better than ever! In this humble phan's opinion, of course!

Love this site, BTW!
, comment by bertoletdown
bertoletdown @metzlhead said:

Love this site, BTW!
Good to have you here!
, comment by parrott56
parrott56 @idk_industries Forgive me, but I don't think you get the "Devotion to a Dream" lyrics. it's actually one of the most cynical Phish songs in a long time. "Fairy tale and devotion to a dream" is part of the narrator's put-down/kiss-off.
, comment by idk_industries
idk_industries @parrott56 said:
@idk_industries Forgive me, but I don't think you get the "Devotion to a Dream" lyrics. it's actually one of the most cynical Phish songs in a long time.
hey man you are totally correct. i read your words and instantly saw my mistake. dang, i don't know if i could have seen through my initial reaction without someone hitting me upside the head so thanks for that.
, comment by parrott56
parrott56 @idk_industries said:
@parrott56 said:
@idk_industries Forgive me, but I don't think you get the "Devotion to a Dream" lyrics. it's actually one of the most cynical Phish songs in a long time.
hey man you are totally correct. i read your words and instantly saw my mistake. dang, i don't know if i could have seen through my initial reaction without someone hitting me upside the head so thanks for that.
No worries. I was worried it was a marriagey song at first, too, but I kind of dig it as a song about the end of a relationship. It wouldn't be out of place on Undermind, actually -- a lot of topically similar songs on that album.
, comment by scott_towler
scott_towler Such a diverse record. Every song was exciting for me and not just because I was craving new Phish content. The song writing is so strong. I have only listened through twice now but Wingsuit is probably my favorite so far because it's such a powerful song, both lyrically and musically. Also, the funk in Wombat is going to be awesome to hear/see explored live. I hope they give it the "Meat" treatment and do a lot of start/stop jamming as it sounds like it could come from the same musical catalogue.
, comment by ItsCarmA
ItsCarmA @iflifewaseasy said: [quote]silenthorse-

and waiting all night sounds like yem in the beginning a bit doesn't it? with the arpeggiation (making up a word here LOL)?

I was at the show, my friend and i agreed it sounded like a backwards YEM. Funny someone else heard that!
, comment by landlady21
landlady21 Does anybody know if any of the music from the new album will find its way into Trey's setlists on his upcoming tour?
You must be logged in to post a comment.
Support Phish.net & Mbird
Fun with Setlists
Check our Phish setlists and sideshow setlists!
Phish News
Subscribe to Phish-News for exclusive info while on tour!


Phish.net

Phish.net is a non-commercial project run by Phish fans and for Phish fans under the auspices of the all-volunteer, non-profit Mockingbird Foundation.

This project serves to compile, preserve, and protect encyclopedic information about Phish and their music.

Credits | Terms Of Use | Legal | DMCA

© 1990-2024  The Mockingbird Foundation, Inc. | Hosted by Linode