Phish in 2012 can cram more Musical Travails into 7-8 min of jamming, than what it took them 15-17 min to accomplish in 1996 as they were honing their chops on the Type II. A lot of those jams went nowhere for a long time, an then they found their legs, then wandered aimlessly some more before finding another voice.

I'd listen to most any 10-15 min tune filled with jam from 2012 before I'd listen to that 25 min Wolfman's from Champagne IL in Fall 97, which I saw live. Of course, I actually got to see that Disease Supreme, so I am a little spoiled as of late in that dept. The ensemble playing this year is spectacular.

Want proof? I HATE Golden Age, almost as much as My Soul (which is saying volumes.) Always have. TV On The Radio can sniff my anal vapor. But I listen and listen and listen again to multiple versions from this year because the jams are so solid.

I'd personally like to see more true segues rather than spacy outros that fade into the next tune, but I have *always* said that.

So whine if you like people, because your sort has been around for decades in this scene (D00D, that Reba sucked. It was only 11 min long.) If you stay home instead of hitting a show, that is fine by me. It just means I can get lawns at the box office for face value on the day of the show.

All I know is that after two years of light touring, and with this latest tour covered in Awesomesauce, they are poised for an Epic 30th Anniversary Tour next year. I am saving my pennies starting now...