this is my first time posting in this forum. my first Phish show was in '93, i'm 40yo. i attended both Alpharetta shows and will catch both NC shows.

as a counter to the overall tone of the original review and other comments expressing concern, disappointment, and frustration, i offer the following personal (although perhaps shared) opinions with decidedly more positive vibrations:

1) the band is playing as well now as they did in the mid-90's and better than they did in the 00's. discussions of whether they play enough Type II jams for one's pleasure aside, the musicianship and enjoyment on stage by the guys is great to experience. if you left last night complaining that Slave was in the middle of the set rather than smiling uncontrollably about that Timber Ho, you could find more worthwhile ways to spend your money. there are excellent charities that could do wonders with your $45-60.

2) and about that Slave... perfect example of the glass being half full/empty. i have been very pleased with the creative placement of songs in the setlists. Suzy and Slave being in the middle, rather than the ends, of sets? Dinner & a Movie Set 1 Opener?? these ARE examples - however small some may think of them - of creativity being bemoaned. "creativity" is more than just jamming. for that matter, so is Phish.

3) as for the complaint of "greatest hits," i have two simple replies:

a) Set II last night was a reasonable reaction by the band. the storms had battered the audience and it never stopped raining. it was easy to assume we were tired and a little antsy. consistently high energy was the only way the band could keep our mind on the music and off the lightning strikes. so we got high energy Type I jams like we heard in Tweezer> Julius and the Bowie.

b) one person's "nostalgia" is another person's "first time!" my niece got her first Fluffhead the previous night. she was BEAMING when the first notes were played. and yet, when i mentioned it to a friend who's been to more than 180 shows, he did the "meh, Fluffhead" thing that many of yall are doing now with your insightful (yet still pathetic in the "sad, gloomy" sense) critiques of the show. my point is this: one man gathers what another man spills. some decry the lack of Type II jamming and come away "frustrated," while others let the band make the selections and enjoy the moment for what it is. and the consensus is that the songs being played (omitting the catastrophe that was birdwatcher> kung) are being played VERY WELL. from someone who remembers the joy of hearing Type I jams for the first time AND the amazement when i heard the cowfunk of '97-98 introduce itself to the phans, i say i'd rather hear the band play what they want than make demands about what i need to hear.

i enjoy debate and constructive criticism more than most; but after reading this review and many of the negative comments that follow, i honestly feel several of yall would benefit from taking some time off from Phish - absence may indeed make the heart grow fonder. if you can't do that, then at least look for me at the NC shows (think Louis CK). i'll give you a big hug and maybe the perma-grin on my face will rub on your soul.