2010-06-15 Portsmouth

So, here we are. The first Phish show of 2010 that definitely ranks below "average-great" status.

I feel a little bad writing that, because pretty much all of this show, save for a pretty badly-botched debut of Mike's "Idea," is really solidly-played. But it's also the most jamless show that I can remember since...well, since I started listening to 3.0 with Hampton last year, honestly. So, then, while it's not a bad show, per se, there's absolutely nothing to recommend it out of the piles of shows I've listened to so far, let alone the vast majority of 2010 shows yet to come.

We start off with a fan-requested "Tube," and it's a screamer (pun intended) compared to most versions: a bit longer and a bit hotter. "Slave" is a huge surprise as the third song of the night, and this version features a more patient build than usual (especially considering it's still early S1) as well as a machine-gun Trey peak that's evocative of an earlier era (choose your favorite).

The middle of the set is pretty straightforward after this, except for a "Bag" that has the odd trifecta of a Mike-funk breakdown, a drum solo from Fish, and then a weird outro jam led by Trey. For oddity's sake if nothing else, you should give this a listen.

"Moma" is its usual sexy self and "Cold Water" is neat, if flubby, if you like the song. If not, there's nothing else worth much mention in S1 except for "Gin," which clocks in at 13 minutes and, much like "Bag" is at the very least weird if not good. It's a standard "Gin" jam until about the 8:00 mark, when Trey locks onto a weird circular riff and Fishman takes off with him. Mike and Page, oddly enough, stay firmly in the typical "Gin" space while Trey plays some majorly high-octave strangeness for a few minutes...but then finally succumbs to everyone else's lack of interest and peaks out again (like in the "Slave" earlier). In the context of a "slim pickins" sort of show, this "Gin" is a pretty neat surprise, but that's about all you're gonna get for the rest of the show.

The second set has an absolutely rocking "Wilson" and "46 Days," with a noodly "Seven Below" sandwiched between. This segment is pure, if totally straightforward, Phish. Trey's soloing is spot-on, and the shredding peaks continue to be above and beyond the usual 3.0 fare. I really like this run of songs for that, but again, if you're looking for jams, you're just not going to find them.

"Idea" is a nice setlist surprise, but as per usual, it sounds like Trey (and to a lesser extent, Page) hasn't been practicing. There's a short little outro jam that adds a bit to the song, but the first four minutes are hard to get through before you get there.

I feel totally lazy writing this, but honestly the rest of the show is pretty much what it looks like on paper. "Simple" has a nice little jam, but it's the same as 95% of all "Simple" jams, and the segue into "Joy" really sucks the air out of the set. There's a clever, Page-only > "ADITL" out of "Theme," but neither of the songs proper are exceptional versions.

This is probably the most boring review I've yet written. Sorry about that.

I'll say again, though, that this is a well-played show with some clever setlist construction, but as far as jams you can write a paragraph about? Nothing doing.

Comcast is next!