Phish

There's a thin line between mellow and torpid, and Phish repose on that line all too calmly
on Farmhouse, their eleventh album. It's an album dominated by songs from Phish's guitarist
and main singer, Trey Anastasio; it was even recorded in his Vermont barn. He's leading
Phish's latest attempt to come up with radio-length tracks that might spread their renown
beyond the jam-band faithful. To hear why those fans fill arenas, try "First Tube"... More >

Tuneful, sturdy, unfaltering, bland, it's the pioneering jam band's bid for the market share located some years ago by Dave Matthews. Enthusiasts may even claim it proves they're better than Dave Matthews, as indeed it does, though why that needed proving I couldn't tell you. Inspirational Verse: "Each betrayal begins with trust/Every man returns to dust." "One man gathers what another man spills" was taken. (Grade: B-)