Hey Everyone,

I know I'm late to the party but I want to chime in. Personally, I think that someone who writes a review should have been at the show. The reason why I am on this site daily is because I cannot be on the road seeing them every night and I want to experience the shows vicariously through people that are lucky enough to be in the audience. Sure, it is helpful to know that the version of Light is must-hear and the show is worth a download. I love that information. But what I love more is for the reviewer to set the stage for me (not specifically personal like "this frat tool spilled a beer on me and was yapping through the Billy Breathes solo" but more like "Trey looked at Page midway through the type 1 jam of Tweezer and then, DAMN, Mike dropped a bomb and the crowd went nuts." Yes, webcast can see that too, but I tend to want information regarding the venue, crowd vibe, chemistry, lights, etc a lot more than weather it translates to a recording. Just a personal opinion - that's what I enjoy reading most. I would be a little disappointed to see phish.net go strictly into tape-recommendation site. When I started reading gadiel.com in the 90's that was a necessary function due to the technological limitations, but now, for me, this site can hopefully offer more than a recommendation to "seek out that tape ASAP at any cost."

As this has become an overarching philosophical discussion, I also feel obligated to add that it gets on my last nerve when people post stuff that is critical of criticism. Get over it. This community loves to micro analyze the band. We love them. That's why. It's not negative to bitch a little bit. It's because people care. Just read it, add your two cents and move one. That rant last week by someone about the negativity was weird.

One last thing - waxbanks - good to see you back brother, but you were firing too strong and it was obviously personal. I hope you work it out with whoever you are, as the kids say, beefin wit. You should know that every time I see you post, I read it because I have read so much good shit by you on past shows and you know what the hell your talking about. Peace out to all. I would love a fall arena tour - and we need them here to do DC - and Merriweather doesn't count.

Sincerely,
Dosque