I am concerned over inserting the wrong comments in this box, criticism as of late on this site being ill received. Further the disclaimer at the beginning of this review leads me to believe that maybe the comments on reviews should be turned off (or maybe just censored...lol) letting the volunteer review stand alone, immortal, affixed in time, as it turns elastic. But then time snapped at the tension that was being placed upon it and the rubber band-like slinkiness slapped me in the eye and flicked my contact lense to the floor. I found the contact still intact, albeit dusty and in need of new solution, doused it and placed it back upon my retina; good as new. (are you laughing or fuming at this point?)

We don’t need to agree! What fun would it be if we did all agree all the time. We can live peacefully amongst each other, southerners, midwesterners, northeastern, eskimos, indians, aliens...petrichor lovers and haters alike. We live in an era that provides forums for us to communicate our feelings and, in my honest opinion, if done respectfully, it can elicit dialogue and stand to enlighten all parties involved.

I loved the author’s allusions to different themes within the songs, references to time and space as well as being in the moment. I even felt the explanation of Wingsuit and the musicality of the piece to be thought provoking, though slightly too technical for my taste. It did identify a bit about our humble narrator and his knowledge of such technical aspects of music and the scene. It also helped me to understand the reference point for some of what I didn’t especially like about the review in the very perfunctory yet seemingly astute analysis of the different regions of the country and those attributes that seemingly pigeonhole them as inherently good or bad.

But then I reflected further and wondered whether I didn’t like the reviewers assessment because it felt like it struck so close to home. Having grown up in the northeast, spent a few years out west before moving to Hawaii and now living in beautiful (and Bridge filled) Birmingham Alabama (vs. Talking Heads reference of rich people in Birmingham England) I am an amalgam (think Steve Martin in Parenthood) of these generalizations; a Northeasterner who loves the west coast GA so I can do windmills and dance in my back, while also brimming with Aloha and southern hospitality.

Moving on, (I digress and so apologize), I believe that, composed and with the intention of metta (loving kindness) we can comment and converse and disagree, respectfully, respectfully, and go on to glorify and criticize as we please, hoping we have composed some decent arguments in our defense, along the way.

I don’t have to have my head stuck up the arse of 1.0 to not like last nights show. I also was not present and know the automatic glow that encapsulates the soul of those in attendance. For couch Tour last night sucked. I wanted to love the second set but could not get there and nothing the band could have done could have gotten me there with the set list they played... other than do what they do best: Chop a few songs and improvise a little more, isn’t that what the band is all about playing music vs playing songs. (If you haven’t guessed I am one of those four song set lunatics). What I search for at shows cannot come in the playing of song after song with little focus on improvisation. It can come from new songs that launch us into the (inter)stellarsphere. I am all for that.

I loved moments, searched for other moments and ultimately long for the cohesion of a well crafted set of music, dosed with improvisation, which I unfortunately didn’t find last night. Show glow will certainly lend some forgiveness to shows like last night, case in point Miles aka jaded friend. I was not blessed with being present other than to say I tried to maintain my attention while not being distracted by my four dogs basking (and bathing) in the heat of the fireplace.

Ultimately I am allowed to say I didn’t like last night. I liked moments and don’t fault, hate, despise or otherwise feel any less or different of my favorite band (should that have been “of” or “for” or both?). I will say one thing though that was different (and I will have to let this feeling marinate a little before I come to a conclusion on what it means) and that is after the show closed last night I felt somewhat satiated. That was an odd feeling post Phish. I assume it has something to do with doing my first whole weekend of couch tour and a tour closer from the armchair. It was quite the opposite of any feeling I ever had post show and I’ve seen a few. #solidreview even if I didn’t agree with most of it.