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Raw Phish

"Chalkdust Torture" (315K WAV) | RealAudio | About RealAudio
"The Squirming Coil" (175K WAV) | RealAudio | About RealAudio

Phish: A Live One (Elektra)

Phish isn't meant to be heard at home. Their fans know this: although the band has sold out Madison Square Garden, their album sales have been modest, and they encourage fans to tape their live shows. So it was inevitable that Phish would eventually give up trying to re-create its live sound in the studio and simply release a concert album. The result, A Live One, is raw Phish, showcasing the band at both its best and worst.

Though the foursome displays awesome musical prowess, Phish swims outside the mainstream: they jam without conscience, improvise endless solos that disintegrate into discordant noise--on instruments as unlikely as a vacuum cleaner--and revel in nonsensical lyrics. As with any improvisation-based band, much of its material fails. For parts of a half-hour "Tweezer," they sound lost, soloing out of synch and creating a sonic mess. And while singer-guitarist Trey Anastasio plays at blinding speed on the fifteen-minute "Harry Hood," the song simply doesn't warrant that kind of extended treatment.

For those who appreciate the band's offbeat approach, though, there's plenty to enjoy. Phish offers an inventive blend of musical styles, a willingness to experiment beyond conventional song structures, and some serious chops. Straightforward numbers such as "Bouncing Around the Room" and "Chalkdust Torture" prove the band can play traditional rock songs. But when Phish finds its groove, the band can be dazzling. Paige McConnell is an accomplished jazz pianist, and his contribution to "The Squirming Coil" transcends any genre label. "Wilson," a previously unreleased number, finds the band in high gear, building improvisations around a smooth, danceable rhythm.

Even these highlights are likely to be lost on non-fans: those lacking both a predisposition to jam-based music and a strange sense of humor will still find Phish intolerable. But for the band's fans, this album captures the Phish spirit far better than any of its studio albums. For better or worse, A Live One is two hours of Phish playing by its own rules. --David Fenigsohn


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