Terrific review, Jeremy. Thanks for taking the time to articulate the frustrations.

@David:

I don't even know where to begin. This is the last thing I'd expect from someone with an encyclopedic knowledge of the band's oeuvre. First off, some of the best (full band) improvisational moments for this band happened in 1991 and 1992 (cf. the David Bowie or AC/DC Bag from 2-15-91, the Weekapaug from 4-16-92). By full band I mean all four guys acting as one cohesive unit, taking a song to a place where it either wasn't "supposed" to go or hadn't gone before. And by 1993, you could find moments of it in almost every show. I spent several weeks pouring through overlooked shows (zero reviews in any of the databases/literature) and in EVERY SHOW I found at least one or two moments of startling improvisation.

For example, the show played on 03-21-1993, in Ventura. Very standard sets by anyone's definition, until they get to Hood. This Hood (like so many other versions of so many other songs, I've already had this conversation with Charlie and Philip) doesn't contain any show notes, but upon listening I found myself knee-deep in what I thought was a Yo La Tengo or Kevin Shields' record. It's terrific stuff.

The Divided Sky is acutely brilliant as well

1994 and 1995 are exactly the same way. Every other show (and for whole month long stretches, every single show) contains something of original and pure value (music that did not exist before). And yes, we all know that's what has made this band so very relevant for such a long time, this idea of collective improvisation, the danger of failure, the foiling of expectation that makes the amygdala do backflips in our heads.

I think what even more critical minds like Jeremy's are overlooking (or perhaps ignoring) is the fact that this band has never before declined (a steady loss of power, prowess or ability). If there were periods of stagnancy, you could bet on a convulsive and cathartic seismic shift in tone/attitude/influence that would result in a new direction, an invigorated music.

What we're seeing now is a decline, pure and simple, and it's not fun to watch.