HOIST

Phish's fifth album is obviously one they had fun to make but however exhilarating the music can be, the album still does not offer much of an interest for dedicated progheads looking for new adventures.

Simply too many Country influences on this album (especially in the second part of the album) annoy me enough but I was rewarded for listening to this until the end with the excellent 10 min+ Demand full of great solo (reminding you at times of the Allman Bros Band) as if the band needed to let off steam and burst out of the safety valve. The usual Phish influences are present namely the Grateful Dead, the ABB and the Spin Doctors .

I would advice progressive fans, if they choose to investigate this band to start with the live Slip, Stitch and Pass. This is were the band shows their full potential and improvisational skills.