Customer Reviews

Hoist

5 star:		(28)
4 star:		(15)
3 star:		(12)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Hoist is deffinately a must have album. I's gotta be their most fun album to listen to. The songs are catchy not poppy like some people might insist. Its got a nice range of musical styles from the classic jamming, to horn sections and etc. All the guest musicians and backup vocalists are a great touch. All in all one of my favorites by phish.

People, step out of your tiny minds and look at what Phish is. They are a jam band, yes, but they can do much, much more, and can appeal to a much larger crowd. I LOVE Phish's long jams... this band is my favorite band ever, but I am very critical of what they do...and Hoist, while it may not be a CD of extensive jamming like Junta, Lawnboy, or Picture of Nectar, it is a side of them that is a bit poppish. LISTEN TO THE SONGS...they are good songs!! They are not as complex as YEM, Esther, Guyute, or most of their other songs, but they are still easy listening, fun songs. Ease up, guys...get this CD...it is an EXCELLENT album.

For a newbie, this CD is a great way to ease into the world of Phish. While Junta is a better example of what Phish is really about, this CD is a fantastic selection of catchy songs that could bring anyone into being a phan. Newer fans might not enjoy some of the stranger, lenghty songs on other CDs so this album is perfect for newcomers. Ignore the comments from other fans of phish if you're a newbie. While they perform some of these songs much better in concert, the CD is still great and you won't be let down when you hear them in concert. Phans might stay away, but newbies should flock to this one.

Phish have established themselves by the time of Hoist's release, with their prior albums: Junta, A Picture of Nectar, and Rift, three classic albums that have garnered them a significant fan-base.

Now they come up with a coherent album demonstrating a keen pop sense with short, varied, radio-friendly songs following the deranged creativity of their elaborate concept album, Rift.

With the first song on Rift, "Julius," Phish shows us they can do a rousing blues number with brass backing. "Axilla" is a retro rocker, and "Lifeboy" is a light insightful song. "Sample in a Jar" is an instant Phish classic, just like "Wolfman's Brother" and "Scent of a Mule."

The album art on the cover of their previous album, Rift, contained illustrations of every song on that album, except for the song "Horse." A horse is therefore represented by a mule on this album, Hoist, suggesting the continuity between albums.

People say not to get this one if you haven't heard Phish before, but I say get it. I have friends who aren't really into Phish that still like this album, probably for the same reasons phans don't like it so much. It's just not as weird as other previous albums. I think it's a great album for new fans to start with because it's more accessible. This one is the only Phish cd one of my friends owns. Songs like Down With Disease, Axilla, and Sample in a Jar are simply great. And you'll know if you're a phan if you like the last track. While I still think Billy Breathes is their best as well as the best starter cd, this one is pretty comparable. If you think you might like Phish, give this or Billy Breathes a try. You probably won't be disappointed and you might love it. The older, weirder stuff will always be there for you to get later.

This album has always imposed a variety of controversies amongst the Phish crowd. I've noticed a trend in the reviews going one of two ways. Die-hards complain that it's too poppie and the songs are too short, while "Hoist" supporters defend their precious by saying that Phish-pop still rocks. I feel my attitude toward Hoist is slightly different.

Unlike a multitude of jam band phans, I actually don't mind short catchy tunes. It's not the fact that Phish picked the wrong type of music to play, it's just that they didn't exicute it all that well on this album. At points, their interpretations of pop on this record could be compairable to ZZ Top playing campy sing-a-longs. For Phish, it was a little too much rock and not enough camp. The recording quality is certainly clear and direct, but for a subtle and sensitive band like Phish, that isn't always beneficial. This divides the sounds and takes away from their peaceful flow.

When folks say that this album is more accessible for new fans, I strongly disagree. I do not believe that this album would do the band justice, especially for someone who has never heard them before. I would rather point you in the direction of the chilling "Billy Breaths." I give "Hoist" 3 stars for 3 reasons; the heartbreak of Dog-Faced Boy,the flow and excitement of Demand, and Phish's wonderful sense of humor.

I see that some of the reviews complain that this album "doesn't go anywhere" and it "never really takes off". Who cares if the songs are for the most part individual and don't fit into a common theme. Others complain that there isn't enough jamming on this album. Well, if that's what you like, listen to bootlegs and live albums. Please don't tell me that "Demand" is the best song on this album. It's probably the only song that shouldn't be on this album. If you want "Demand", listen to Split Open & Melt.

Anyway, I think the song writing on this album really stands out in comparison to their other albums. Once you listen to it enough, you'll probably agree that the 2 gems are "If I Could" and "Lifeboy". Both are absolutely beautiful songs that are complemented by a fantastic lineup with great variety. Anyway, great album. Enjoy....

I am a fairly new phan of the band but they are easily my favorite. I bought this cd along with "Billy Breathes", they are both excellent. This cd shows a varirty of what Phish can play on "Axilla (Part II)" you can hear a rock sound. On the song "Julius" it has a bluegrass sound to it. this is a very good phish cd.

I think this album is really a great pick for any phish fan. I've looked at some reviews that say the album doesn't have much continuity, and while that may be true, pretty much every song on it is great on its own. Everyone mentions "if I could" from hoist, but my personal favorites are sample in a jar and lifeboy. Hoist is really a must have, that's all there is to it.

Hoist is a wonderful example of how diversified Phish is. The use of Tower of Power's horn section is wonderful. It may not be classic Phish but the Phunky groove will keep you movin'!