Since the early eighties, Phish has been jamming across the country as one of the top touring acts of all time. Whenever bands renowned for their live shows, like Phish, are about to release a new album, fans wonder if it is possible to replicate the same sound in studio. The majority of the time the productions aren’t able to rise to the occasion, but Phish successfully captured their energy and spirit on their fourteenth studio album, “Joy.” If anything listeners will be surprised by how little studio trickery the band seemed to use on the album.
Many Phish fans, a.k.a “Phans”, like myself have been waiting for five years since they released their 2004 studio album “Undermind,” and announced that they would be breaking up. Our prayers were answered with the release of “Joy,” which seems to be a dedication to all of the “Phans” that stuck with Phish through breakups, bad trips, and great jams. Their sentiments seem to be most apparent on the title track when singer/guitarist Trey Anastasio brings in the listener with the lyrics, “We want you to be happy, ’cause this is your song too.””I Been Around” shows off that quirky, energetic side that Phish is known for. Pianist Page McConnell leads Phish with his lounge singer act. He eases into the song with a beautiful swelling arpeggio, and then breaks into another one of Anastasio’s great guitar solos. Listeners can hear how much fun the entire band is having as Anastasio is yelling “Alright” and “Oh yeah!”The masterpiece of the album is without a doubt the thirteen minute, “Time Turns Elastic”. It was solely written by Anastasio for his album of the same name. Phish decided to record a version of it, and debuted the song at Fenway Park during their Reunion tour. It has all the makings of a great song; its just not what Phish fans are used to. It starts with a slow piano melody underneath some of the tightest harmonies in rock today before changing into a collage of different instrumental crescendos.
Each member brings something redeemable to the album. Mike Gordon throws down smooth countermelodies throughout, while drummer Jon Fishman keeps the rhythm with some playful beats. Page McConnell brings in some class on the ivories and Trey Anastasio plays the guitar harder than ever before, ranging from blues on “Kill Devil Falls” to reggae on “Sugar Shack”.
If listeners can’t appreciate “Joy,” they simply will never be able to appreciate Phish. It is definitely one of the top Phish albums to ever have been released. Luckily, “Phans” won’t have to wait long for Phish’s next record. It has already been announced that their fifteenth studio album, “Party Time,” will be released sometime in early October with fourteen brand new tracks. Until then, Joy can be found at Bullmoose for $19.78