For a band that has built their success on their ability to interact with one another while playing live, Phish has struggled at times to find that same collaborative interplay in the studio. For Fuego, their 12th studio album, Phish tried something they’ve never done before. Instead of leaving the duties of writing to guitarist Trey Anastasio and lyricist Tom Marshall, the band locked themselves in Anastasio’s barn in the Vermont woods and hammered out the tracks.
They succeed on Fuego the Vermont quartet's first studio release in five years. Not only is the album cohesive, it's a fun, uplifting, and rocking record that is easily Phish's best studio effort since Billy Breathes. Phish surprised everyone at their 2013 Halloween show in Atlantic City, NJ by playing the entire album as their “musical costume.” The move surprised even the most jaded Phans, but clearly showed that the band was proud of their new material, as they should be.
On the nine-minute title track and opener "Fuego," band members trade lead vocals and harmonize on a driving tune with Phish at their musical best. Phish’s newfound groupthink ethos shines in every note of the catchy “Sing Monica” and the funky, bass-driven “555.” On “Wombat” the band references Barney Miller and the forgotten Fish spin-off with Abe Vigoda (who actually made a cameo in a Wombat suit at the Halloween show) over a hip-hop-inspired groove.
Producer Bob Ezrin, who has worked with everyone from Pink Floyd to Taylor Swift, gives the band a wider sound, utilizing each member to their full potential and spreading around vocal duties around a bit more.
30 years into an amazing career as a band, Phish makes a case with Fuego-that the band should continue to look inward in order to push themselves forward.
Must-hear tracks: "Fuego," "Halfway to the Moon," "555," "Waiting All Night"
-Will Fisher, The Showbiz Kids
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