There's something much deeper going on in this show than just CDT. I've been listening and re-listening to this official release for months and can't tear myself away from what I think I'm hearing. I'll give this review some context.

I'm 2002, I saw Rufus Wainwright perform at the State Theater in Ann Arbor, MI. An intimate show, but occurring before any rehab stints or breakdowns. Wainwright was drunk throughout the night, forgot many lyrics, and to a crowd that was largely unaware of the circumstances this merely seemed like entertainment. A belligerent crowd member yelled "Barcelona" after every song, and even Wainwright knew not to cave to this song request, sober or not. I left that concert feeling slightly uneasy, as if I was witnessing more than just music.

This feeling is revisited for the entirety of this show. While the crowd latches on immediately to Wilson, it seems like the band isn't meeting the crowds energy, purposefully. CDT devolves into glorious but introspective space. To my ears everything here is played brilliantly but with angst. The Sparkle and Golgi feel out of place, but intentionally so. Like, you want these happy/catchy songs here right?

The second set Tweezer opener is hard for me to get through, not in that it's unlistenable but it feels dark and lonely. Not quite So Many Roads 1995 dark and lonely, but approaching that. Followed by the lyically angsty Mountains, BOAF, and Circus, all nicely played and enjoyable comes to one of the more uncomfortable silences I've heard on a Phish recording. On the official release you can vaguely hear some banter, and to my ears it sounds like Trey says, "do you want to play Fluff or what?" Not the most joyous statement. What follows is a Fluffhead that's enjoyable, but I keep thinking what's going on here?

By While My Guitar Gently Weeps I'm feeling uncomfortable on behalf of the band. As in, we are upset and wearing it on our sleeve up here but you guys are probably just happy that this song doesn't get played much...and here have the expected Reprise to go home with. And lights.

Plenty has been written about the scene and how tiresome it was. But the more I listen to this show, the more I love it, it's just my style, yet...but I'll be damned if this doesn't sound like a band that's tired of playing and looking for a way out.

I'm glad they got things sorted out.