@AlbanyYEM said: "If they went out there and played 25 min tweezers on a consistent basis they wouldn't be happy with the level of musicianship displayed, so they don't do that."

This is a ridiculous statement. You're implying that the push required to get to "that place" in a jam is somehow bad musicianship. I disagree. Length is not related to musicianship in the least. Take the Worcester '97 Jim, an hour long masterpiece with several movements, played so tightly and together that it sounds composed. It's one of the most brilliant jams ever played at a level of musicianship that is so mind-bogglingly rare that it makes my brain want to take a nap.

Every time they take those risks and succeed, they reach a new apex of musicianship. EVERY time. I fell in love with the band because of their ability to access unheard dimensions through jams, risk taking, and their unique musicianship (jamming, humor, teases, signals, etc.). If they played 25 minute Tweezers every couple of shows, it would signify their willingness to take the risk required to access their machine-like tightness. To speak conversationally at the subconscious level through playing. "That place". Can they do it in less than 25 minutes? Sure! But the length is telling of their comfort in the jam-space and their ability as musicians to make it work in the end.

Now, they can easily play a half hour jam where they don't connect at all, and they may walk away feeling like strangers in the musical dimension for a brief time. Or they could play a 3 minute Ghost that slides so smoothly in Makisupa Policeman that the segue washes over you like a blissful wave. The length doesn't matter entirely, but their willingness to risk-take does. Was the Ghost -> Makisupa a risk? Yes! Heck yes! And I applaud them for it - however, I am a fan who likes to hear them push the boundaries specifically in the jam segments of songs. That's why I follow them so closely. Nobody does it like them, nobody ever will. And I love every part of it.

Why don't they do it anymore (or on a consistent basis, at least)? Good question. I would love to know the answer. We all have our theories, but the band believing it to be a sign of poor musicianship is ludicrous.

I would like to add that I believe the band is at a new height of musicianship, especially so far on this tour. I love many of the jams that have been played. I can live with jams in the 12-16 minute range. But what's holding them back from deep exploration? Why do they get close and opt out to play Rift? That's the nature of my frustration: At this new height of theirs, the possibilities in the jamming realm are so infinite and GUARANTEED to be good, that I can't possibly understand why they refuse to go there. Baffling.