Phish - Billie breathes - 1996
Posted: Sun Aug 17, 2008 6:40 pmPhish is a so-called jam band: compositions are used as vehicles for extensive jamming during concerts which are far more important to the fans (and financially more lucrative for the band) than studio records. Phish existed from 1988 to 2004, with a 2 year hiatus at the beginning of the 21st century.
Main man Trey Anastasio (guitar and most compositions and most vocals) is an interesting guitar player, not just willing to experiment and see where a song will go (with the risk of grinding to a halt in midsong), but also good in creating dynamics within songs and within concerts. Unlike Pink Floyd and the Pixies, where the Wagnerian loud / quiet contrasts are practically a way of life, Trey can and will actually play any of his own songs in a hard rock style, funky, in acoustic singer/ songwriter mode depending on how he feels. His solo concerts can surprise (and dissapoint).
Billy breathes is their best studio album (and the title song their best studio song) but if you like this, your next step should really be a live album (many can be downloaded from their site). It's fun to hear them play covers (not done on studio albums): at the end of the 1990s during four different Halloween nights they played four complete albums by other artists (Beatles, The Who, Velvet Underground, Talking heads).
I like their 1996 - 1998 period best, but the humble beginnings at universities can be fun and some of their later stadium concerts are very impressive as well. All members (besides Trey: Mike Gordon on bass, Page McConnell on keys and Jon Fishman on drums) are still active in the music business.
Main man Trey Anastasio (guitar and most compositions and most vocals) is an interesting guitar player, not just willing to experiment and see where a song will go (with the risk of grinding to a halt in midsong), but also good in creating dynamics within songs and within concerts. Unlike Pink Floyd and the Pixies, where the Wagnerian loud / quiet contrasts are practically a way of life, Trey can and will actually play any of his own songs in a hard rock style, funky, in acoustic singer/ songwriter mode depending on how he feels. His solo concerts can surprise (and dissapoint).
Billy breathes is their best studio album (and the title song their best studio song) but if you like this, your next step should really be a live album (many can be downloaded from their site). It's fun to hear them play covers (not done on studio albums): at the end of the 1990s during four different Halloween nights they played four complete albums by other artists (Beatles, The Who, Velvet Underground, Talking heads).
I like their 1996 - 1998 period best, but the humble beginnings at universities can be fun and some of their later stadium concerts are very impressive as well. All members (besides Trey: Mike Gordon on bass, Page McConnell on keys and Jon Fishman on drums) are still active in the music business.