Phish
Joy
Play Joy
-
AMG Review of Joy
Thom Jurek
All Music GuideAfter listening to Joy, one has to wonder whether hardcore Phish-heads, who've stuck with the band through thick and thin and bought literally millions of concert tickets, will be impressed by the band's 11th studio album. It is the group's first studio outing in five years -- a reunion album. You can ask, but Phish fans almost always prefer their live shows and albums to the studio dates (echoing of course, the first legendary jam band, the Grateful Dead). The answer? Maybe. Joy was produced by Steve Lillywhite, who also helmed 1996's Billy Breathes. He's familiar enough with Phish to be able to get inside their sound, and to try to challenge their preconceptions without tinkering too much with the process of creation. Apparently, he's also a slave driver. The reason? The labyrinthine track "Time Turns Elastic," which clocks in at over 13 minutes, took 278 takes! The tune, easily the best thing here, is far more a constructed prog rock opus than jam journey. The band -- guitaristTrey Anastasio, keyboardist Page McConnell, drummer Jon Fishman, and bassist Mike Gordon -- recorded live in the studio, so it took some time. The track was originally constructed as a full orchestral suite (and indeed will be performed with the New York Philharmonic at selected concerts). The reason the track works so well is that despite its many twists and turns musically, it keeps its various song forms, even as they flow into one another. Anastasio wrote it with poet/lyricist Tom Marshall. Gordon contributes a rather weighty reggae-jazz tune in "Sugar Shack" -- some might say it's heavy-handed, but the tune itself is simple and catchy, so it works.
"Backwards Down the Number Line," which opens the set, is one of the more straightforward things Anastasio has written with Marshall, and reflects on gratitude despite the messes and sorrows in his life -- much of the album is about his long struggle with dope and his sister Kristy passing away from cancer (check "Stealing Time from the Faulty Plan"). "Ocelot" could have been a Grateful Dead track; it contains all the legendary band's tropes, from vocal harmonies to a strolling country shuffle song structure to Anastasio aping Jerry Garcia's guitar tone on the solo. At the end of the tune Phish add a lyrical and melodic nod to the Beatles' "Dear Prudence." There is a straight-ahead rockin' boogie number in "Kill Devil Falls," an interesting take on recovery. The title track, also written by Anastasio and Marshall, is simply beautiful. It begins as a shimmering ballad, sparsely arranged, and becomes a straightforward rock song, but being Phish, there are a few left turns in the mix. Joy sounds like Phish are thrilled to have a second chance and feel no pressure to do anything but make music on their own terms -- it is issued independently on the band's own JEMP imprint. They sound more focused than on any of their ten previous studio offerings. Certainly, what's here is not for everybody, but this jumpy, well-constructed little set may even get Phish fans excited. As reunion sets go, this one is a winner. [A pair of deluxe editions of Joy have also been released. One is called Joy Box and includes a 180-gram LP version along with the CD; a Super Deluxe Joy Box includes a DVD, a hardbound book, and a complete second album called Party Time in the bundle. These are only available from the band's website.]
Billboard Album Review - Phish - Joy
-
Artist:
-
Album:
Billboard Album Review - Phish - Joy "Phish masterfully marries freedom and form on its first studio release since 2004's "Undermind."…" Continue Reading Billboard Album Review For: Phish - Joy
More >
14
MOG it up!
Billboard Album Review - Phish - Joy
-
Artist:
-
Album:
Billboard Album Review - Phish - Joy "Phish masterfully marries freedom and form on its first studio release since 2004's "Undermind."…" Continue Reading Billboard Album Review For: Phish - Joy
More >
14
MOG it up!
Joy Now Available For Pre-Order
-
Artist:
-
Album:
If you need a new piece of furniture for your house you should check out the large and in charge Joy box set - the details of which were announced today by Phish. Besides the regular ol’ CD and vinyl options, the band’s first release in five years will be available as part of the Joy Box, a limited edition deluxe box set on sale through Dry Goods for $75. Here’s what you get…In addition
More >
22
MOG it up!
PHISH Updates: Festival 8 info/site & “Joy” cover art/release date/track list
-
Artist:
-
Album:
New Phish updates including Festival 8 information/official site. Plus, the cover art for the latest release, JOY, a track list & new release date [...]
More >
Phish Release Album Art For Joy
-
Artist:
-
Album:
Phish’s first album in five years, Joy, was set for release on July 28th but the band pushed out that date without really telling anybody. Of course if you read You Enjoy Myblog you already knew it had been delayed. Today, the band updated Dry Goods with a page that will soon allow fans to preorder the album that includes our first look at the album art…We still don’t have a definitive relea
More >
Happy Happy Joy ‘Joy’ Release Date
-
Artist:
-
Album:
Even though the band doesn’t even care how we seem to react to it, I’m damn excited about the release of Phish’s latest album, Joy. You can stream it today on Spinner and JamBase, and you can buy the MP3 download from Amazon for $3.99. Go snatch it up and report back to [...]Related posts:Phish Release “Time Turns Elastic” on iTunesCold War Kids | Fall Tour Extension, LP Release DatePh
More >
19
MOG it up!
Phish: track listing for new album "Joy"
-
Artist:
-
Album:
It's official: the track listing for the new Phish album Joy.Phish will be releasing Joy, their first studio album in five years, later this summer on JEMP Records. The record was recorded in New York City this spring with producer Steve Lillywhite. Stay tuned for further details and pre-order information in the coming weeks! The last track, Time Turns Elastic, is available now at iTunes.Tracks...
More >
Phish: Joy (Review)
-
Artist:
-
Album:
Jam kings go back to the studio and keep their streak alive.
More >
Rolling Stone Unveils Details on New Phish
-
Artist:
-
Album:
Rolling Stone’s David Fricke discusses the new Phish album, which he reveals is titled Joy, with the band members in the latest issue of the magazine. Anastasio tells Fricke that Joy “feels more like a live record than a lot of our live records” and the teaser article on RS.com contains details on the new album including word that Kill Devil Falls, Stealing Time From the Faulty Line (?!?) an
More >
CD Review: Phish ~ Joy
-
Artist:
-
Album:
Written by: Laura MelvinPhish has released their 11th studio album entitled Joy – their first album in 5 years. The band was an important part of 90s music, and Joy reminds listeners why Phish still deserves their own fan base of “Phish-heads”. They became well known for many things; their avid following, their annual “Phish [...]
More >
 "Joy")
