@bertoletdown said:

@ericwyman said:

@bertoletdown said:

This fourth quarter trend has to be addressed at some point. It has made the difference between average-great and above average (and maybe even above average and transcendant) quite a few times over the last few years.

I really wanted to lay into it here, but it's just so darn well played it seems a bit unreasonable. But even at it's best, there a definite lack of unpredictability in the choices. I don't know that I have a better suggestion. Slave would be a massive upgrade for my ears and might actually push the set into a "best of ____" discussion. Until the band plays a second set where I can't find one of these ludicrous shortcomings I will continue to judge them as good, not great.

I am really just fine with a first set that chugs along. My expectations are set pretty low for first sets. Entertain me.

But the second set of a rock show and especially the second set of a Phish show should build to a raging peak at the finish. Yes, come out of the gates strong in set two. Yes, please, play a ballad somewhere in the middle to give people time to catch their breath. Yes, use dynamics to let it all breath. But make sure to leave something in the tank for the end. Something titanic. 2-3 short blues rock songs in a row isn't quite working.

For u, perhaps. It worked pretty well for me; why? Well, as stated, everything was played too damn well to bitch. Maybe Im a two bit sucker but I enjoyed the end of the show. I was right w everyone in thinking that the selections were odd...but then they would play incredible versions (yeah, within the box) of all of those selections. Would I had rather seen a yem or slave or song x that couldve been better (although I'm sure Someone would have bitched about a yem bc it's too predictable)? Anyhow, I loved this show. Number 21 for me and I'll preach it til the cows come home unless it totally doesn't come through on tape. And, for posterity, it blew the previous night to hell. (IMO)