@J_D_G said:

I really don't see why fans can't have reasonable objections to something the band does, without it being held up as an example of why we are somehow outside of the core of real fans, not getting "the message"

Where @J_D_G and I disagree strongly about Halloween (which I LOVED), we are in complete agreement on this. If it turned out that playing no covers, and the "not getting the message" bit were choices made specifically out of spite toward fans who voice their displeasure with something the band did, I would be saddened beyond words. Check that - I was saddened beyond words for a while because I thought that might be what actually happened. Now I'm not sure, so I'm going to hold on to my former opinion: that while the band might enjoy tweaking and teasing its fans, they're not mean spirited.

The most annoying thing about it is it gives more ammunition to fans who do believe that people who speak any ill about Phish whatsoever are traitorous bastards. But they're gonna think that anyway, so whattayagonnado?

Also, and again, just an amazing recap, CB. Very well may be my favorite ever.