People don’t always “get” Phish the first time they hear the band. Part of the issue is, unfortunately, that many don’t even get to that first listen because of preconceived notions of the music. Once you get it, however, you
get it, and music journalist and author Ann Powers had the opportunity to remind us today that everyone deserves a second chance, even if it’s seven years later.

On Twitter, Powers was presented with her February 1993 New York Times review of a Phish show at New York’s Roseland Ballroom by a fan who dubbed the article “the worst music review ever written.” To be fair, Powers isn’t overly harsh on the band in the review, and really makes a couple good points. It seems, however, that the writer isn’t quite in tune with the experience, closing out her review with the line “The safe rock of a band like Phish might guarantee a kind of satisfaction, but it’s sadly lacking in romance.”

Within minutes, Powers responded to the tweet, writing, “It took me time to understand Phish, I admit. I got there.” And her attached June 2000 NYT review of Phish’s show at New Jersey’s PNC Bank Arts Center seems to support that statement. She may not be a super fan (“Mr. Anastasio’s singing is nondescript, and the mix of Frank Zappa-style humor and soft-rock melodies can induce a serious case of the cringes”), but the understanding is there: 

What was truly intriguing was the fusion Phish achieved. When the band emerged a decade ago, its goofily cerebral sound was a liberal arts major turned into music — eclectic to a fault and earnestly dilettantish. Luckily, Phish has evolved beyond collegiate showing-off. Tonight’s show still traveled rock’s map from New Orleans to Chicago and Nashville to San Francisco. A cover of the Rolling Stones song ”Loving Cup” represented the band’s mainstream side, while the chorus of ”Harry Hood,” which might have been lifted from the soundtrack to ”Chitty Chitty Bang Bang,” proved its enduring wackiness. But there was no distance between the styles Phish claimed. Instead, speedy bluegrass melded with anthemic, Who-style rock, and corny smooth jazz met its end in a dissonant swell.

Maybe it was the maturing of the band; maybe it was the maturing of Powers herself. Either way, Phish might take a bit to understand, but a treasure trove of satisfaction awaits those who push through any off-putting first encounters. Let’s join Powers in her enjoyment of 6/28/00 by listening to a highlight “Bathtub Gin” below. 

Side note: here’s hoping Powers has been to at least one other Phish show and got something besides “Loving Cup” for the encore.

@annkpowers Just a random, friendly reminder that this is the worst music review ever written: https://t.co/cQAlggdFHq
— Tripp Josey (@TJTweeterman)
February 1, 2018

It took me time to understand Phish, I admit. I got there. https://t.co/E9Si1ZXHD0 https://t.co/uHxdTw1O2b
— stepped up (@annkpowers) February 1, 2018