@waxbanks said:

Nothing to say about Dirksen's reviews, which are exactly like all of Dirksen's other reviews. Phish's music has changed so much over the years; Charlie's review vocabulary hasn't. Some folks find that sort of thing charming, I guess?

Phish's improvisation, their music, certainly has changed over the years in many respects (even in the midst of particular tours), but the way they play many of their songs has not changed. There is a right way and a wrong way to play composed sections of songs. Re-listen to the first versions of most songs from Rift and Hoist, for example, and compare them with any recent version performed live. Jamming tunes obviously change, and can change dramatically, as you know. But it just isn't true that Phish's music has entirely changed. Phish is still playing many songs these days basically the same way they've always been played -- for decades.

And as for me, if I didn't write like Dirksen, I would be someone else -- and likely more charming. You don't have to read what I write, and of course I am not a music writer. I am an antitrust lawyer and I rarely write about Phish/music. But I'd hope there's at least something to be said for the fact, especially in this age, that you can identify me by name, Mr. "Waxbanks." Why I may not write as eloquently as you and many others about Phish's music, I don't post behind an anonymous alias. You can track me down, call me up on the phone, and piss in my ears. See you in Tahoe?