@ScoopyGreenberg

Yes, it's true. Honestly, I love the atmosphere at shows but I really can't analyze the music until I've had a chance to hear the soundboard. A song can sound and look great live only to disappoint after I download it. I hear the flubs and what not on the download but not necessarily in the arena. Conversely, the download cannot portray the feeling or vibe in the crowd. You hear the roar, but you don't feel it.

An example would be Jones Beach. I wasn't there, but I'm sure the weather had as much of an impact on those that were as the music. When I listen to it with my headphones on, though, all I hear is the music. It changes things.

Debates will always rage over the merits of shows that a person has been to versus ones that they weren't. I believe that often the best show reviews come from those who were NOT in attentance.

You can never take anything away from someone who was there, though. That's the beauty of it. Phish is like sex. When it's good it's really good and when it's bad it's still pretty damn good.