Jeremy, you make some fantastic points. Page never been better? Agreed. Mike ready to take on the world (and win!)? Agreed. Trey absolutely SHREDDING, ATTACKING, and DESTROYING his guitar? Agreed. (Fish too has had quite a tour). So where's the disconnect? Why am I leaving tonight bitter that I dropped short change on a stream? Poor connection and communication amongst the band members- that's why.

Having the live stream has been illuminating. It's easier to realize that it is not always Trey's fault when a jam sequence is not realized. The look on Mike's face a few times that last couple of nights has been one of utter confusion and WTF are we doing here? Maybe, despite the "premature endjamulations", it was actually Trey rescuing the band from embarrassing themselves further.

In any event, the last couple of nights have been bittersweet to listen to. Technology seems poised to march on into the future while the band seems willing to stagnate in the past. I was very excited early in the tour with some incredible, legendary, and timeless Phish, but the last few shows have not given me that feeling at all. Maybe the band needs to sequester themselves and do their old exercises of the hey-hole and other listening exercises, because clearly they are not listening to each other now.

As zany & fun as the Birdwatcher -> Kung was, I thought it was completely embarrassing- forgotten words, missed pitch, overall "who gives a fuck" attitude. No damn surprise they take the stage for the encore and "play something we know". I'm all for taking risks and failing, but that's not what that was. That was just failing- period.

With still a bunch of shows that are on my radar to attend, the decision to stay home is becoming easier and easier.

And the silver lining to the cloud: Yes, the Timber was extraordinary.