No Thank You, Mr. Miner.

     

     This morning, I read an interesting piece regarding Phish, and their, according to the author,  slow decline into mediocrity.  The article was written by "Mr. Miner" an intelligent, but notoriously demanding and hard to please Phish fan.  In his article, Miner examined the 2012 Summer tour, and how Phish's lack of touring has led to a musical stagnation.  He bemoans that Phish is no longer the bands number one priority, and it shows through the music.  He primarily cites the 2011 New Years Run as evidence that the band is no longer a unified entity capable of transcendent jamming.
     Theoretically, Miner makes some very solid observations regarding the band.  He is right, the band has been touring significantly less than they have in the nineties, and this can be heard in their shows, be it positive or negative.  There has been three versions of Phish, and a myriad of stylistic eras among them.  Phish 3.0 shows the band engaging in more straightforward music, with less of the exploratory improvisation that defined them in the nineties.  More touring may lead them trying to expand their jams, but the quality may suffer in the process.   Simply making their songs longer for that sake, would almost certainly result in boring improvs.  I, for one, would rather a shorter, inspired, improvisational jam, over an extended session of scale-running.  While the jams have been shorter, there have been very few clunker shows, and many stirring moments. Most true fans would agree that 2011 was an amazing, highlight filled year.  True, a more rigorous tour schedule may sync the band up to a new level, but that opens up a new issue altogether.  This issue regards Miner's argument that Phish is no longer the band's primary concern.

      PHISH IS NO LONGER THE BAND'S PRIMARY CONCERN!!!  Fans grasping onto straws that Phish will have 90 date year will forever be disappointed.  When the band came back in 09, they stated that they will be touring with the interest of their families and their personal well-being in mind.  They have always been open regarding their intention to make plenty of time for whatever endeavors and interests they have, as the band members are now in their late forties.  All members of the band now have families, who at one time suffered from the allotment of time placed on Phish. Allowing the band to create summer plans based on what they want to do, rather than obligation, give them the opportunity to actually enjoy the shows they play.  Those who pine for a hardcore tour itinerary have quickly forgotten about the mostly disastrous Summer 04 tour.  

     Miner makes a statement in his piece, "The band has been back in action for three full years now, and the feeling of “we’re lucky to have them back” has worn off."  I take umbrage with this statement.  At this point in their career, I think we as fans are nothing but lucky to have the band back.  Phish has the money to never pick up an instrument again.  They  have no need to win new fans, nor to appease the ones they have.  The shows they play, no matter the amount, are solely for the fans, and for the enjoyment of the members themselves.  Fans need to count their blessings that Phish is out there playing for sheer enjoyment, as their drive to succeed has long been satiated.  We, as fans, should be grateful our favorite group still loves playing together to the point of playing whatever shows we are blessed with, most of which have great moments.

    The days of massive Phish Tour, and seemingly endless jams,  has long since past, and most hardcore, yet levelheaded fans have gracefully accepted this.  Fans, much like the band, have grown up, and have other considerations outside of free-rides and miracles.  The consistent space exploration of the cowfunk era will most likely not be revisited, but we have also entered a new era.  We are blessed enough to have a band that knows and understands its real and primary fan base, and to continue to, even at a smaller orchestral level, lift the crowd to unknown heights.  Sorry Mr. Miner.....but we ARE lucky.

**Sorry, I said I would never write about Phish**