"Complaining" about flubs and miscues isn't quite the same as pointing out there existence while reviewing a show. Part of that process is obtaining some sort of objective standard by which one is able to compare to other shows. As there is a subjective element to which jams move you, the review has to be more focused on "facts" like literally what songs were played and how well they were played. We all know this isn't 95 and no one expects it to be, however, a fair comparison @Greasykeys) is how tight they were last year compared to so far this year. And they are much less tight. I'm willing to give them the benefit of the doubt because the year just started but then again they were pretty tight on the opening run of last year.

Bottom line is that I think you may have conflated criticism and complaining. Overall, at least the complainers are paying attention and give someone an objective basis instead of naive fluffery. If each show is such an amazingly unique and only positive experience then we cannot review any of them.

Seems completely fair to me to hold the band to the very standards they created, especially in this era. As for "a"-"d," yes of course that's true and part of the reason we all love phish. But does it follow that, therefore, we can't point out any of the negatives of any show? In fact, maybe we should just copy and paste that list as the review for every show.

You've set up a false disjunction so either a) WE LOVE PHISH AS MUCH AS YOU DO AND WOULD NEVER "COMPLAIN" or b) don't appreciate phish because we ever say anything negative about a song/performance.

Seriously, can't it be both? Love phish and because we love em are totally willing to point out the lows as well as the highs?