@Harry__Hood95 said:

@ADAWGWYO said:

Wow!! My trust-fund ran out years ago and now I have a fukin job, so I missed the party that went down up in heya today. Damn. Looks like that morris character done made him seff some phriends today. Well, shit. Only thing I have to add/say relating to this long parlay is what I felt at my 2 shows this summer. They are all playing exceptionally well on an individual level, agreed. But to me it doesn't seem they are listening to one another as they play. Transitions, fluidity, and cohesion exist when the band is playing as one driving force. Besides the composed sections, that driving force is more often than not absent.

I wonder if lack of practice is playing a big role. Back when I got into the band (1995), their marathon practice sessions were the thing of legend. Plus they were playing probably twice (if not 3x) the number of gigs. It stands to reason that they would be that much better playing together than they are now. Granted, all the years of playing together would compensate for it somewhat, but not completely.

This is a GREAT point which doesn't get much play. What is the band using the practice room for these days? They are killing the songs they play all the time, but still struggling with the one and two-timers. Add that to only two debuts on the tour and it shows a band that hasn't practiced very much to me. If you're going to sing Birdwatcher, how about running through it once? Phish took so much pride in their work ethic throughout many points of their career. Wish they still did.