PHISH
BILLY BREATHES
OCTOBER 15, 1996
'Extraordinary' is the word that most describes this 13 track disc. The band has found a way to condense (if that is possible) the songs down to a radio-friendly length. They have turned away from the once popular late 60's style of extended jamming. This does not in any way lessen their need to satisfy fans with the amazing musical talents that the four members have put on the previous discs. Previously they could melt several songs and styles together in one long jam, but on Billy Breathes they have explored each part and concentrated on building it into one song.
The new song structure has allowed the band to grow without making a wide right turn and leaving the jam band approach behind. The band has found a way of taking that with them as they achieve greater heights and this will prove to be a fan favorite. This release is a very sophisticated blend of past albums while still looking into the future and cultivating new techniques. Anastasio takes on most of the song writing but the band theme is seasoned over the entire disc.
Contributions, as with past albums, often come from outside the band which gives freshness to the Phish sound. The band welcomes participation which ultimately increases the range of the band and this helps keep them from becoming stagnate. Tom Marshall to Phish is much like Billy Preston was to The Beatles. Marshall is a much larger part, but his lyrics transcend time and fit into the music of Phish like bread and butter or peanut butter and jelly. They met in school at a young age and soon began playing together. Having lost touch for several years, Marshall heard the album Junta and felt the band could expand lyrically. Anastasio and Marshall reunited and the latter became an important element on the album Lawn Boy.
When making your way from the first song to the final, it simply slows down and brings components from past releases back into play without multiplying the minutes of the songs. Do not be fooled by the aggressive first note on the first song "Free", because the rest of the album is much more laid back, amplifying the guitar as the most prominent instrument of the band.
11/29/2010
RUSTY
10/15/96