@elfinito said:

Jeez -- settle down realitycheck!!

@realitycheck said:
> > > "Dude I understand that your reviews are just your opinion, but ALL your reviews tend to be somewhat negative...."

I Wholly disagree -- this was an overwhelming positive review, with few personal opinion critiques thrown in. It is a critical review....and done honestly, if not a bit too mechanically.

Its seem you guys are the ones focusing on the Negative in his reviews -- and ignoring the overall positive tone of this review, and the many positive reviews form this summer so far.

And to start telling someone they have issues is just sad --- and quite hypocritical, given the tone of your judgmental and negativity laced rant.

The vast majority of this review was that the show was great! (and made me wish I was there -- and excited to go home and give it a listen). You just chose to pull out 1 or 2 negative lines and focus on them. Ironically -- exactly what you are complaining that the reviewer did with his review!!!

You say:
> > > "put some positive spin on them just a little..."

1st point in Review:

> > > ..."led some to wonder whether Phish might come back cold, and give back some of those hard-won gains --- Those fears were put to rest early and often"

That's pounds pretty damn positive to me!!!

> > > "A pristine and unpredictable �Curtain With� followed, suggesting a willingness to build energy patiently, and organically � and then gave way to the alleyway mugging of �Fuck Your Face.�"

Even when he complains, it was just that that Mike's was "too short..." --But he he ends the review with some clear excitement about Mikes-Groove form this tour!!!

How about -- next line ---

> > > "A rare and wonderfully plinko-inflected �McGrupp and the Watchful Hosemasters,� you say? Don�t mind if I do!"

That is negative????

You get the point.

Man! I totally agree. There seems to be several different camps in the Phish-message-board universe. One side argues that if a review is not completely elated at everything the band does on stage every night it is overly "negative" followed by the obligatory, "Why don't you go follow another band" statement. The other side tires to objectively look at each show and make an unbiased statement regarding the show using historical context and contemplative listening. I myself love the more thoughtful/critical reviews, as I use them in deciding whether or whether not I'm going to spend $10 on a SDB download. Please, Phish.net, keep posting these recaps and don't listen to the voices that are calling for homogenized, vanilla reviews. Give it to us straight, we all love the band here and we know that some nights are better than others.