Review Summary: Phish Dazzles with 1993 Effort
A clever ruse and some infectious laughter highlight this lax concept album which creatively expresses the rift a man feels, while dreaming, in the relationship with his girlfriend. The crown jewel is an upbeat, piano backed “Sparkle,” which culminates with an infectious “Laugh and laughing fall apart” loop that will not soon be forgotten. A quirky but endearing “Weigh” sees the dreaming character fantasizing a bizarre task of measurement -- heads, squished up friends, and yes, even options are to be put on a scale.Thoughtfully, the idiosyncratic album keeps you mindful of the sleeping subject with a strangely appealing “Lengthwise” combo, tracks 3 and 13, clocking in at a combined 1:53, the tunes are more lullabies than toe-tappers, and with ticking clock, rustling sheets, and subtle snoring, they do the trick -- “when you’re there I sleep lengthwise, and when your gone, I sleep diagonal in my bed.” The Vermont quintet succeeded with the country-infused “Fast Enough For You” which romances with “I’d be happy just to just to watch you age” while “The Wedge” makes a splash with “ocean flowing through our veins” insight.
Rift -- 4.5
Fast Enough For You -- 3.5
Lengthwise -- 3
Maze -- 4
Sparkle -- 4.5
Horn -- 4
The Wedge -- 4.5
My Friend, My Friend -- 4.5
Weigh -- 4
All Things Reconsidered -- 3
Mound --2.5
It's Ice -- 3
Lengthwise -- 2.5
The Horse -- 2.5
Silent In The Morning -- 3
