@lumpblockclod said:

@Scott said:

I don't mind a negative or mixed review with specific evidence cited from the performance, like the comments about this set 1, but not for the first time, I do tire of all the narrative-shaping. Whether 2017 will be more like early 2016, late 2016, 2015, or 1994 couldn't possibly be extrapolated from 2 shows; the author appears to be setting up an improvement narrative for 2017 in order to consign 2016 to the dustbin of history... shortly after begrudgingly admitting that the 2nd half of 2016 was basically as good as 2015.

I haven't responded to most of the comments, because I have my opinions about Phish, it's only fair that all of you can have your opinions about my recap. Flame away. But I do want to respond to this accusation of so-called "narrative-shaping." I have no idea what the rest of 2017 will look like and absolutely nowhere in the recap did I try to even implicitly predict where it might be heading. To the extent that I will "shape a narrative" on 2017 (or, you know, form and share an opinion), I'll do it on the basis of the music they play. I don't need 2017 to be good, bad, or in between to consign Summer 2016, to my own personal dustbin.

Keep on doing your thing man. I've been miffed at a few of these reviews over the years where some of the more (picky, persnickety, higher-expectation having, IDK what adjective to put in here, but I don't mean it in a negative way) have been a little harsher on some of the sets (and tours) than others. Of course, I am a piss-in-my-ear fan... I don't care if they play Line>BDTNL>Joy>Miss You to close every show of the BD, I'll still listen and if I can be in attendance, I'll do everything in my power to be there. This has been my fave band for 20+ years. No review will change that and everyone has a right to their opinion. I expect people who have thousands of hours of listening in to expect more from the band than someone who has seen 5 shows and has been listening to Phish since 2013. So kudos to you for not taking it personal and for putting your time into throwing a review together. I've agreed with you on some points and disagreed on others over the years. FWIW just wanted to say thanks for the input and let the flames slide off your back. Keep on keepin on.