Phish - The Story of the Ghost

The only ones more ardent and fanatical than Phish lovers are Phish haters, and of course, both parties support their opinions based on the exact same criteria. However, as the band matures and their sound ripens, the naysayers' stance becomes increasingly difficult to defend. Ghost, their seventh studio effort, is the quartet's most balanced and well-rounded studio collection, one that finds the middle ground between their wild stage forays and their more recent toned-down records while intensifying their ever-growing "cow funk" elements. Along the way there is room for concise song craft and angular complex journeys; thick funk, high-tempo romps, and quiet reflective passages; nuggets of lyrical wisdom floating in the usual sea of nonsense; cerebral prog-rock majesty tempered by visceral one- chord grooves; simplicity and psychedelia; instrumental precision and loose rambling. The twists and turns of "Guyute" will be familiar to the congregation as will the deep funk of "Meat" and bookends "Ghost" and "The Moma Dance." "Water in the Sky" takes a classic country progression and infuses it with a propulsive, almost Latin rhythm. Early-period albums may have better (and lengthier) jams, later albums may have better songs, but no other Phish album blends both aesthetics as well. --Marc Greilsamer Amazon.com essential recording

Phish with soul

By this point, Phish had been around for fifteen years and had matured musically. They no longer needed to prove themselves as they had achieved both cult and mainstream success by this point. Nevertheless, Phish used this album as an opportunity to explore new ground.

In many ways it continues where Billy Breathes left off. It's a quiet album vocally, like Billy Breathes, in contrast to their brighter sounding early albums. But it also has a very soulful sound to it. There are quite a few songs that sound like this could be an R&B album particlarly the title track, Roggea, and even the catchy Birds of a Feather.

Also included is Guyute, an old favorite from 93 that sounds like it could have been released on Lawn Boy. This is probably my favorite song on the album since it showcases Phish's mastery of tonal and atonal melodies while making the listener wonder if they're still listening to the same song. The fact that it is only 8 minutes long and still manages to do this makes it even more impressive.

Many would claim this song to be a "jam song". But I don't believe jam songs existed on any of Phish's studio albums. It's obvious that most of their long songs were meticulously composed, with some room for improvisation that was reserved mainly for live performances.

There are, unfortunately a few weak songs on this album, namely Meat and Fikus. Nothing bad, but certainly not as strong as the rest of the album. It's definitely worth checking this album out to hear the soulful side of Phish, as well as a little of their earlier genius. November 9, 2007

WOW, SPEACHLESS

Story of the ghost is not my favorite album by Phish, but I think it may be one of the best put together and original creations by Phish. I love this album in so many ways- musically it is original and unqique and the album flows very well. When im talking to my other friends that listen to Phish, this is definately one of the first album that comes up debate wise- some love it, some dont. I want to say that when I recommend phish albums- this is one of the first to come out of my mouth. I loved this album and you probably will too! March 14, 2006

Solid Album, But Check Them Out Live

First of all, anyone who compares Phish to ANY OTHER BAND (especially Wilco) is not someone you want to be listening to. There is not one other band out there that sounds like Phish. Phish is THE GREATEST jam band to ever play. If you want proof of this claim, you need to buy their live albums. No other band, though some come close IN THEIR OWN WAY, can touch what this band has accomplished in live performance. All their studio albums are well-made and musically sound, though their first albums are the best. This album is in the middle of the pack. The rule for Phish is for every four minute album version song, there are versions twice as long (and twice as good) recorded live. Also, the live albums capture their ability to cover any song (such as Loving Cup, Roses Are Free and Bold As Love) they want to play and do it justice. Their Halloween shows always include the band covering an entire album of another band. Simply put, they're really, really good. January 16, 2006

One of the Best Phish Studio Albums

As far as Phish studio albums go, I guess I place them into 4 chronological categories: the early years (Junta, Lawn Boy, Picture of Nectar), the mid-years (Rift, Hoist, Billy Breathes), the later years (Story of the Ghost, Siket Disc, Farmhouse) and the post hiatus period (Round Room, Undermind). Story of the Ghost may not be the one Phish album I would take with me to a deserted island, but it's definitely the best of the later period and beyond. Granted, most of these songs were enormous live, especially in the summer and fall of '97 when they were brand new and awesome, but Phish somehow managed to contain these songs in the studio in a manner that doesn't seem stale or over-produced. These songs exist in two realms: one as a short concise cohesive studio entity...and in another as monstrous live improvisational jams that have no relation to this album. August 31, 2005

Boring, generic music

This album sounds like every other jam band in the world.

Bland, samey songwriting for song after song. No fresh ideas, nothing innovative, just real good musicians playing well. That's fine for cover bands and such, but where is the creativity and vision? It just isn't here. Thats why Phish falls far, far short of bands like the Beatles, Pink Floyd, The Flaming Lips, and Wilco. They just lack any kind of coherent sound or songwriting ability.

There's nothing original or interesting here. Big thumbs down. December 24, 2004

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