Filed under: "When I forget how to talk, I sing" | Tags: concerts, halloween, light show, music, phish, rick james, wookie
The first notes that crossed my ears were as confusing as the lyrics were nonsensical. I came from a background deeply rooted in old R&B, jazz, and the occasional 80′s pop (Rick James, anyone?), so it was foreign to me to hear things like: “I’d like to cut your head off so I could weigh it. What d’ya say?” said in such a matter-of-fact tone. My impression now? Phish is quite possibly the most talented band touring at present. Each member has an extensive musical background that spans almost everything: classic rock, rock, jazz, latin, bluegrass, classical, and avant garde. It’s like Pink Floyd meets Grateful Dead meets Frank Zappa. They’re the reason I even ventured towards the aforementioned bands. Well, actually, I think Pink Floyd was the band that opened my ears a little more. But this blog post is about Phish, so I’ll give them the credit for now…
In order to appreciate them, I had to stop listening to the lyrics. The substance is in the music: the melodies, the harmonies, the improvisational jams involving the entire band–not just one person playing self-indulgently for 10 minutes in every song. They cover others’ songs as well. They actually make it a point to cover an entire album anytime they play a show on or around Halloween. I remember the first time I heard them play “Cities” by Talking Heads. Instead of the lean, upfront, hyperactive cadence to which I was accustomed, Phish turned it into an airy, laid-back groove.
I’m also grateful for a band that makes you feel at home in a crowd. I have no qualms about belting out lyrics at the top of my lungs, nor am I ashamed of my hip-hop noodle dancing technique since everyone around me is following the same groove in their own way. How cathartic, really. To shake and shimmy your troubles by the wayside in an instant is almost like cheating in life! Don’t get me wrong, like any band with a massive following, there are scenesters who use Phish as an excuse to get high and drunk all night. I’m not judging anyone, but why would you give 50 bucks to ticketbastard for that?
If I had to suggest an album for you, I’d pick A Picture of Nectar, Story of a Ghost, or Junta, but really, Phish is a concert band. So, if you don’t mind stepping over wookie piles left in the lot following each show, I suggest you check them out, ha.
Here’s one of my favorites: The Moma Dance. It’s funky. The title is a play on words (phonetic mix-up)–since the lyrics actually read the moment ends.
4 Comments so far
Leave a comment
I don’t care about Phish, I’m just leaving a comment because you said “Cities.” That song changed the whole landscape for me when I was a kid. Kinda got goosebumps when you referenced it.
Comment by jdallinder August 3, 2009 @ 10:30 amI love Talking Heads. Alas, I’ve never seen them live–I was young when they broke up. I did see David Byrne last year in Ann Arbor. I’m at a loss for words–”pure awesomeness” should cover it.
Comment by Venus August 4, 2009 @ 12:53 amBTW, I’d love to hear you expand on your comment.
Comment by Venus August 4, 2009 @ 12:54 amI was 11 years old when “Fear of Music,” Talking Heads best (and darkest) LP came out. My older sister had seen them perform on “Saturday Night Live,” and relayed to me how strange they were (which piqued my interest). I had already moved from pop and arena rock to “new music” (Sex Pistols, Blondie, Devo, XTC, Bowie), but Talking Heads’ brand of cerebral Afro-punk (art rock?) caught me off guard. I had no point of reference. I know this probably sounds funny, but “Fear of Music” scared me. I played it once, then stashed it in the back of my closet. They were manipulating rock and roll in ways I didn’t understand: droning, off-key vocals; submerged, barely-perceptible vocals (“Electric Guitar”); lyrics about…drugs (!).
About about six months later, after working my way through Fabulous Poodles, Sham 69, and Flying Lizards, I pulled out “Fear of Music” and played it again. The lightbulb in my head went off. Fucking wow. I got it. And while it still scared me a little, it was a good kind of scared, like a roller coaster or a horror movie.
Though I immediately loved every single song on the record, the song “Cities” had the biggest impact on me, primarily David Byrne’s lyrics: “Look over there, dry ice factory/Good place to get some thinking done.” What? I had no idea what he was talking about, and he introduced me to stream of consciousness writing that was smart, perplexing, and hysterically funny all at the same time. I didn’t know writing like that was an option. That single line from “Cities” opened up a whole new world for me and shifted my focus to the slightly absurd.
I’ve never stopped listening to “Fear of Music,” and, for me, the band has never topped that masterpiece.
Comment by jdallinder August 4, 2009 @ 2:56 pm