My surprise is the quality of playing. I used to hit many shows in the mid '90s, but it has been scarce for me since. Every time I have gone to see them I've walked away with a feeling that it just isn't the same. I was thinking that maybe I was old, or they were old, not sure. At any rate, I went to Magnaball this summer and heard from more than a couple people that they are spot on these days. I have to say that the feeling was back for me. The combination of song selection, energy, crispness, and excitement were all there. Several thousand people jumping out of their skulls all at once and then being softly replaced before getting it ramped up again. This was the Phish that I knew and now see it again. I was talking to another old codger like myself at the shows and he said they are better than they were. Too many factors to make an assessment like that, but I am shocked at how amazing they were playing this summer.