Great write-up. What's great about the write-ups is the traditional wavering of phan agreement and disagreement over Phish's level of existence.

The rub, for me, is that they still have the magic. We can all agree that 2016 was a fickle year all around, just a complex vestige left in our memories. The paradox of Phish is that we crave Phish to constantly hit the pulse of musical improvisation and be constantly challenging their own style, which is the same thing they've been doing for years. Every phan loves to reminisce of the sweet times they hit (I remember Fall of 2013 where every show had an intensity re-immersed the beauty of Phish's sound.) Why can't they sound like summer 94, or fall 97, or winter 03, or fall 13, or summer 15? This reflective nature of Phish cauterizes the caustic debate of "criticizing" Phish.

I do enjoy reading the comment section because, for the most part, phans actually read the comments section, unlike the nuts that leave comments on youtube videos. The variety of insight toward how to view Phish sheds a light over how complex Phish and their art really challenges us as phans. As I wrap up my 20th anniversary of being a Phan, this year has especially been a crossroads - they have pushed the elasticity of their performances, from plaintive to transcendental. What the best thing about Phish is, is that in the end, it's about enjoying what they're doing, because they are. Yes, 2016 had some extremely equivocal shows, but there will always be those shows that warrant a critical eye, only because Phish created a world with high expectations. MSG3 was such a treat, and still keeps me leery-eyed toward the future of Phish. I mean, for a band to stay fresh after 34 years by still embracing the old with the new, is fantastic.

Phish, yes, has transmuted their sound over the years: look at from 84 to 87, from 88 to 92, from 93 to 96, hell, from 96-97, their MO is about looking for new, abstract ways to outshine their preternatural tendencies. They are taking the old with the new, and still carrying the torch of improvitational mastery. They're legacy is the absence of legacy, to forget the past and move into the future. That's Phish

Next year will be the 20 year anniversary of 1997, the epic year of transition. They are not expected to change their methods, even though they have constantly passed that baton year after year. They're having fun, and were reaping the benefits. So let's enjoy their show, embrace the magical, castigate the negligible, yet anticipate the expectant change for which Phish has perfected. I'm glad Phish is in my life, and I hope that they continue to enjoy playing together.