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2009 Poll Summaries: Bag TTE, Bust out Oldies!

Posted 2 years ago by Lemuria - 26 comments - Link: http://phi.sh/flg03

As part of the redesign of Phish.net, we've started hosting a poll every two weeks, and the results have been decisive. We've learned a bit about what you want on the site; for example, a clear majority (60% of those expressing an opinion) don't think that private shows should count in site statistics. We've also learned what you do (and don't) want from the band: A near majority would rather hear a long-dormant song get busted out (30%) or a rarely-played song return (17%), compared to only a third who'd rather hear a long exploratory jam (34%); and you'd prefer Phish announce another Europe tour (40%) than shows in Hawaii (22%), while a Japan tour (5%) was even less preferred than another hiatus (6%). Lastly (though not yet final), in the current poll, Time Turns Elastic leads as your least favorite Phish song, as arguably the most decisive preference - with 34% in a field of seven songs!

Comments

Posted by windoranug on
windoranugTTE is good for the last 8-10 minutes. It's too long. It would be incredible if it turned into TTE Reprise.
Score: 2
Posted by forbins0218 on
forbins0218It would be nice to get the ages, number of shows attended, and the geographic location of those taking the polls. Then run some actual statistical analysis to see if there is bias. For example, are people who have seen less shows and are younger tend to like the song time turns elastic more or not. I am sure the sample size is large enough to have solid results.

I actually did a project last year were i looked at the numeber of songs played per consert by 5 year period, and saw that within five years the number of songs varied significanlty. I would like to also look at song diversity using an ecological equation which is used to measure species diversity in an ecosytem. Then compare song diversity between tours and then see what the trend predicts for the future.

Anyways. I like TTE.
Score: 2
Posted by phishgoat on
phishgoatdinner and a movie is a fun inside joke that is best appricated while on some shrooms, actually, all of junta is best appricated on shrooms,

ooohh!

ahhhhh!

etc
Score: 2
Posted by kevinAreHollo on
kevinAreHolloI'm sort of appalled that the good folks behind this site are wanton enough to post this kind of forum drivel in a widely-read poll feature. And then I saw three songs on the "list" that are not only CRITICAL to phish's canon but each of which does more to articulate what's PHISH about PHISH than dozens of other choices.

Even worse? That there are 459, 186, and 126 people respectively that think each of these is somehow capable of a "worst song" label. While I realize that the band members are most certainly not checking these news posts and forums with any regularity (jah forbid!), the small chance that someone does look it up and see Foam held up and regarded so? A pity that would be.

"Do the knowledge, recognize your talent." I feel like these guys are already shying away from the complicated jazz arrangements and so to perpetuate any animosity towards those types of songs or to endanger them in any way is irresponsible. Some of us like to dance to jazz and thrash, sometimes in the same song!

@Rock_A_William

Amazing! I would LOVE to see that move at a show in the future :)
Score: 1
Posted by Rock_A_William on
Rock_A_WilliamIf you don't like Mexican Cousin, the next time they play it pretent you are serenading someone, get down in a power stance, give the double underhand fist pump, and belt out those "Ohhs" and laugh. It is a much better song that way.
Score: 1
Posted by Julian on
Julianalso... foam is SO tight! WHAT?
Score: 1
Posted by iceman91 on
iceman91That poll was terrible, people actually think Foam and Dinner and a Movie are Phish's worst songs? Whoever thinks that needs to KTM.
Score: 1
Posted by ktownv on
ktownvThe last 2 minutes of TTE are great, the first 14 minutes are boring. I agree with win ... I hope the band morphs it into TTE Reprise!
Score: 1
Posted by TheFamousMockingbird on
TheFamousMockingbirdTTE is totally bunk, but undeserving of the title "worst song" simply because the jam out of it at the end has musical integrity, far more than Jennifer Dances or Sparkle...and @jmvig, do you seriously think that Sparkle is better than Weigh? I don't think anyone in the band would back you up there, I think Sparkle is a cheap thrill, it's radio friendly, nice and short, but completely lacking in compositional creativity.

I was really disappointed to see Foam on the list, it's far from their "worst" work, and Dinner and a Movie, while also something of a novelty, has it's time and place.

As far as the boys being offended that we didn't like TTE or Trey being proud of it, I've heard that while recording the album, Lillywhite said something along the lines of "you guys are missing that extended jam on the album" which I guess he thought had become a crucial element of a Phish album. Anyway, they wrote TTE as a result and like I said, the jam is fine but the song itself is BS.

Score: 1
Posted by Lemuria Phish.net Staff on
LemuriaUmm... Skimble... the current poll IS posed as "Which is YOUR least favorite?" The "worst" wording is from the forum, from months ago. Either way, TTE's at the bottom... sorry, Trey. ;)
Score: 1
Posted by pihead on
piheadWorst Phish song... Hmmm.... TTE? If you haven't heard the album version, you gotta do yourself a favor and listen to it. So good. We have been asking for more of the long pieces for a long time and we got one. I really appreciate the darker, less joking lyrics. not that I don't like that too, just not always. Let's move forward...

Anyway, that song will stretch out in the future. The crowd's always screaming at the end of that one... and maybe if their wasn't this group consensus of "we don't like this song, bathroom break" we could actually close our eyes, moves our bodies and get lost in that awesome song.

I wanna see them jam out of the middle dark section, "Melody, shelter in the darkness, take hold of me now..."

In then end, no one who really loves Phish knows what their worst song is. They could play top 40 covers all night and as long as they jammed them we would get our fix.

Score: 0
Posted by castinajig on
castinajigTTE=====awesome....hoping Trey will bust it out in Feb @ count bassie!!!!!
Score: 0
Posted by davidbowieUB40 on
davidbowieUB40Just my opinion - Junta is by far the best album. how can foam and dinner and a movie even be on this list? foam is easily in my top 10 songs. and i understand the TTE isn't really delivering yet live, its just not smooth or energetic. but it is an amazing song, and like many others are saying, it hits many roots of their classical pieces YEM, Divided Sky etc. SO give it a chance.As for sparkle... not really sure why this is on here either, not that its some amazing masterpiece or something but its one of those fun dance around go apeshit in that same rockabilly/countryish group with songs like my sweet one and poor heart.
Score: 0
Posted by HarpuaMM on
HarpuaMMOkay, Jennifer Dances and Windora Bug have both been played less than 5 times. What are they doing on this list? At least limit the list to songs that have been in somewhat regular rotation at one time or another. This is such a bizarre poll to be on Phish.net. Is it least favorite in general, least favorite to see live, least favorite studio version? I haven't given TTE much of a chance since I first listened to it, but from these choices it is certainly my least favorite (not counting Jennifer Dances and Windora Bug).

I'm sorry, but I think a poll like this is just not right. As another poster commented, it kind of undermines the band's music. I know this is for fun and it is totally subjective, but I don't think polls like this belong on a phan site.

/my two cents
//slashies
Score: 0
Posted by peaceburgh on
peaceburghI agree. I think TTE is a masterpiece. I love the studio version and think its emotional highs and lows are simply amazing. I enjoy this video even more http://vimeo.com/5020855.

I saw it live once and did not enjoy it thoroughly, although I did think that the submarine movement and the carousel movement (ending) were awesome.

I disagree with the idea of a reprise. I think they just need to nail it live a few times and more people will come around to it.
Score: 0
Posted by palmertrade on
palmertradeI can't believe 'The Connection' is not one of the choices...

As for TTE, it's just so complex (and not in a good way). It's like TTE is 4 songs put together, two of which I like, two of which I don't.

I also can't see any time where I would want to hear it at a show...
Score: 0
Posted by tmwsiy Phish.net Staff on
tmwsiyI enjoy TTE sitting on my couch. I do not enjoy TTE at a show. I can't explain why. It just is.
Score: 0
Posted by jonboy155 on
jonboy155who picked the songs to choose from
why isn't there my left toe on the list
or mexican cousin on it or brian and robert

I mean to split hairs can kung be called a song
I love it but wouldn't that be the worst song since it really isnt a song or a catapult

I think a lot of people hear people say tte sucks
so they say that....
I saw the orchestra play it with trey
and then in cincy and thought it was great

so you are saying a long exploratory, rarely played, 30 minute vacuum solo in finland would be better than a tte in vegas, new york or atl, somewhere close

what is better about guyute than tte
or even really it is very similar to a divided sky

I mean everyone is entitled to their opinion
I think trey was/is proud of tte and well I am not sure what makes a song good to phans? maybe if phish could hand out free drinks during tte it might sway public opinion a pavlov's dog thing... I like the song and.....
I am curious/kinda sad it is the phans least favorite
but that my 2 cents
Score: 0
Posted by Harry on
HarryFoam? TTE? Dinner and a Movie? This is a joke right? Jennifer Dances is obviously the worst. I don't even like Foam, but it is brilliant. TTE is a masterpiece, ahead of its time.
Score: 0
Posted by Skimble_Shanks on
Skimble_ShanksI think that the current poll of "worst" Phish song sounds a little too harsh. I mean, they are such unbelievable musicians that none of their songs are bad enough to be called, "The worst." Instead, I think that this poll should've posed the question, "What is your least favorite Phish song?" That way Phish's musical prowess wouldn't be undermined.
Score: 0
Posted by Lemuria Phish.net Staff on
LemuriaThe poll's actually pretty solid, and I say that as a professional statistician and survey researcher, who's taught both statistics and survey research at universities for 16 years. There are certainly some sampling issues, but those are somewhat overcome both by the sample size (which has neared 4,000 for some previous polls) and by the *overwhelming* clarity of the results:

If TTE was widely regarded as as great as you may believe that it is, it wouldn't have been mentioned more than any other song in the "Worst Phish Song" thread and it wouldn't have such a decisive lead in the current poll, with nearly three times the proportion as a break-even split of the 7 songs would be. It's beating out Caspian (which sux in nearly objective terms), Dinner and a Movie (which is immensely annoying), and even Jennifer Dances (which no one defends).
Score: 0
Posted by tubedss on
tubedssTTE is great! that poll is bunk!
Score: 0
Posted by Julian on
JulianI don't think it's so hard to believe that TTE is in bottom place. I heard TTE at Wachovia and MSG this December. It's hard for me to not love this composition of Trey's , but alas, i simply can't. It lacks energy in so many sections, it's almost silly. TTE at MSG slowed down the first set to it's lowest point of what I considered to be one of the least interesting sets i've ever heard (2nd set raged, one of my favorite sets of 2009), the energy seemed to be mysteriously lost until the last section when I happily saw the eerily out of place look of boredom in everyone eyes around me, this TTE experience was creepy in a way, but then we got Back on the train and the groove was fully restored. Anyway TTE is a cool song... It's just not being played to it's potential and because it's recently let many fans down, this is clearly why many people jump to call it the worst phish song. Of course Jennifer Dances is as much of a joke as Goodnight from the White album.
Score: -1
Posted by jamrad on
jamradWhat about Mexican Cousin? Horrible song! I am a huge fan but that is by far the worst phish song. I'd be happy if they never played that song again.
Score: -1
Posted by jmvig on
jmvigSparkle?!?! I love that song, if something off RIFT is gonna get picked I could see maybe Weight or Lengthwise but Sparkle? And for the record I like Prince Caspian as well.
Score: -1
Posted by djmeneses on
djmenesesPeople say TTE sucks because they are haters. TTE, Fluffhead, Yem, there is no difference they are all in the same vain. Stop hating and spread some love.
Score: -3

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