BIG BOAT

The Good Boat

I usually don't write reviews of Phish because it's not a prog band, but I love them, and this one is different. Over the years, I've noticed some bad vibes around this record. I've been a fan of Phish for about 30 years, and fortunately, this is not Rift, Joy, or Ghost. Forget about it. This isn't a new band anymore; this is four mature guys still being Phish. Big Boat is one of the good Phish studio records?not the best, but an interesting effort. It's much better than Fuego, on the right side of Joy, with much more sense and order than Round Room. It's "different"?an experimental, progressive kind of album, yet it still carries that signature Phish energy that keeps fans coming back.

Big Boat isn't seen as a full-on conceptual record, but it does have some thematic cohesion. The songs often explore introspective themes like loss, reflection, and growth, especially in tracks like "Miss You," "Running Out of Time," and "Petrichor." The album reflects the band's maturity, showing how Phish has evolved over time. This gives it a loose concept centered around life's journey and experiences. The songwriting feels more introspective, as if the band is reflecting on where they've been and where they're heading. The playful moments are still there, but the music feels deeper, perhaps more connected to their experiences as a long-standing band.

I love when Phish tries something new, and that's what Big Boat is. It's not a new style, just good prog music from an old band sounding fresh. It's proof that Phish can evolve without losing their essence.

Share this PHISH review

Social review comments () BETA

---

---

Review related links

• Send comments to Stoneburner
• Report this review (#3105451)
• Buy PHISH music online with PA partners
• Show all PHISH MP3/Stream
• Go to PHISH page for videos, full discography with ratings, reviews and much more
• Go to Big Boat page for more details, where to buy and ratings/reviews
• Search the Forum for PHISH related discussions