Are yall kidding about Sabotage? there paying tribute in the phishyist way possible to a fellow musician post-mortem. who gives a damn what it sounds like?? just like this show it perfectly embodies the spirit of what phish is all about and judging from all the negative harping around these parts lately (save for the gr8 recap tonight), it seems like the spirit of this whole thing has been misplaced by alot of people.

Sorry if your being denied "transcendence" Nigel. you speak of it so glibly im starting to wonder if it has any value.
to achieve "transcendence" is a subjective experience nigel. their is no objective way to determine what is and isn't transcendent.
Phish is who they are. day in and day out. maybe if you find transcendence elsewhere you won't put such a huge burden on the phish from vermont. Do you really think for a second that they are "denying themselves" moments of transcendence? Have you actually listened to any of the shows this year? What emotional adjective would you use to describe how phish is feeling whilst performing with light sabers and sharing fun and intimate moments with their fans?
and then later in these same fun shows filled with playful antics and all time bustouts the phish from vermont have managed to put together some STUNNING jams in 2nd sets that have had a few too many peaks and valleys.
We're also getting some of the most well crafted encores ever.
theres never gonna be another 97'. people have been asking the question alot recently, "is it wrong to want more from Phish" and whether the question is meant to be rhetorical or not i just wanna answer it with Yes.
to each his own, but in my mind phish has given us plenty and continues to give in spades. i dont care about the bad sets, the flubs or any other criticism.
this has been the best tour of 3.0 to my ears and ive thrown expectations out the window. besides, theirs no way these 50 year old men should be playing this well. having this much fun, and busting out hundreds of different songs in only 15 gigs! not to mention birthing some of the most modern, thrilling and achingly gorgeous jamming since....well, the last time they did it.
theres always room to quibble about this and that, its a fun part of phish, always has been. it just seems to have taken on a much heavier and more negative connotation as of late. and that sucks. cause it feels like some people are missing out on a helluva time. and missing the point.