Customer Reviews

Siket Disc

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Could people who have no idea what they're talking about PLEASE not try to review albums (especially ones such as this)?

This is by no means a traditional "studio album," nor are the tracks on it really "songs," even if PHiSH has played SOME of the tracks live (they're liable to do ANYTHING live!) - hence there is no melody, as another reviewer so kindly pointed out. But try and expand your concept of "music" past needing a catchy riff or hook!

These tracks are not the jam sessions for Farmhouse (of which I believe there were probably very few, given the nature of that album), but are culled from a spontaneous "fungus-assisted" jam session during the same period of time the band was recording the Story of the Ghost album.

When PHiSH jam in concert, they're very excited, and, of course, whether they mean to or not, playing to the crowd. Here, they're relaxed and alone, yes, in a studio (hence the releasable sound quality), but just doing their own thing for no one but themselves, and it provides a very interesting counterpoint to the style of their live jams, as well as some AMAZING music! Page (PHiSH's pianist/keyboardist) edited the tracks to listenable lengths so that the [blessed!] repetition of the first track (and others) wouldn't go on for HOURS (although some, this reviewer included, would like to have the entire session released as a giant box set!)!

This is pure, free, improvisation, people, from the best band that ever did it! ENJOY!

The Siket Disc is packed with improvisational jams that I've heard them slip into in concerts for the last two years. "My Name is Slick" is one they went into during Bathtub Gin once and Quadrophonic Topplings is one I heard at new years big cypress in Sand and also at Allstate 2000 in another song I can't remember offhand. I've heard a few of the other ones in shows, but pinpointing them isn't possible now. These are jams that they came up with and used in concert. Its nice hearing them on a studio disc, because it gives the listener who has never been to a show an idea of the kind of weird spacey stuff they do sometimes in concert, which is in sharp contrast to such accessable studio releases such as Farmhouse and Billy Breathes. I liked the Siket Disc, although I much prefer to hear these little "songlets" interspersed in long extended jams live. If you really dig phish live, you'll dig this, if not, well stick to the radio stuff, which is very very good, too.

"The Siket Disc" is a true example of how Phish can endlessly jam for hours and provide listeners with an album full of spacy, loose-ended arrangements that flow together quite well. The most mystifying jam-song on the album is, "What's the Use?" It is a powerful song that shows just how far Phish can push the limits on extended jamming. Another track such as, "The name is Slick" has a particulary catchy groove. However, the opening song, "My left Toe", is a truly mesmerizing tune that is bound to hook the listener. Overall, "The Siket Disc" is a must own for all Phish fans and for anyone who wants to hear jamming pushed to the limits.

As you can read from these other reviews, this album is close to a hit or a miss. Let me start off by saying that I used to be really into Phish. I attended a bunch of their shows, collected tapes of thiers, etc. In the past 3 years, my musical taste has changed and I'm am not into the "jam-band" scene anymore. I guess you could say I'm more into the "indie" rock scene. Anyways, I don't really listen to any of Phish's material anymore, execept, for this album. Its a fantastic experimental album that I think could appeal to even non-phish fans who are into art rock/indie. If art rock nerds could handle listening to an album by a "stoner hippie rock group" and not be so critical all the time, they would find something very rewarding here.

okay, i know 5 stars should be reserved for all-time classic albums, of which this is certainly not. it is not classic, or great in the traditional sense, but if you're like me and crave completely free improv music from phish, then you will never be able to find this kind of music anywhere else. the album is a little short, and the energy level is superlow for most of the album, but it is still one of the discs i reach for when i want to hear phish. 5 stars? well, to balance out the [people] who gave it 2 stars. for a serious phan, you must have this album and i think you'll love it.

The best thing about the bands that have been lumped in the Jam Band genre is the moments where a new idea is created and developed on the spot. Generally we're only privy that kind of magic at a show, but The Siket Disc is a great example of how a band like Phish gets so tight in the first place: listening to each other and being willing to follow an idea to its conclusion. The Siket Disc isn't going to be for everyone, in the same sense that the Dead's Infrared Roses will be baffling to some listeners. But if you think the notion of listening to excellent musicians create new music on the spot is thrilling, this is one CD you should try.

The Siket Disc is a collection of freeform jams that came out of the recording sessions in 1997, what is arguably the beginning of Phish's experimentation into a more "ambient" and "funk" related sound. The recordings of these "jam-sessions" epitomizes, the sound of Phish live, while still perserving some elements gained through studio production. The CD is user-friendly, can be listened to all the way through without any hesitation. Keep in mind all the "songs" are lyricless. Songs such as "The Happy Whip and Dung Song", "My Left Toe", "Quadraphonic Toppling" and "Whats The Use?" have now become a part of Phish's musical "rotation" since the release of this cd. I for one, am glad.

The Siket Disk is not over-saturated with Trey's guitar "noodling". There are no dippy, catchy lyrics. The entire album is less than 40 minutes long! But wait, and LISTEN to this album. It is full of texture and magnificent ambient sound. It is experimental, and may not please many listeners teh first time they hear it, but this is definitely an album that grows on you. This would appear to be an album truly of the band, and not one member's pet project. There are many times when you cannot distinguish who is playing what. Looking at the liner notes, it would appear that the boys are switching instruments. My only complaint is that there should be more! Another track, or perhaps more extensive jamming at places would earn it a full five stars.

Others have explained its origin and structure. But what matters if your experience with it. If you can handle the looseness, the meanderings, the arguable missteps, etc., there's something here, something possibly important. It's worth exploring.

Just to preface: most people will be challenged by this album and will not enjoy it. Unfortunately, this includes many Phish fans. I have been watching and listening to this band since 1992, and have seen the "scene" grow in leaps and bounds. Junta is probably the most ambitious album they have made, but this one is now my hands-down favorite.

It was a bit disheartening, albeit also inevitable and exciting, to see them make the transition to playing arenas and releasing more and more "accessible" albums. However, I have always kept an open mind and remembered that they deserve to be where they are. This wasn't a "secret" band to be enjoyed by the few, but a strong quartet of musicians who would be heard by the masses on their own terms. I understand why they try to put concise compositions on their new albums. But I often find their shows and a lot of their bootlegs lacking the same excitement and unpredictability of the shows I saw in the early 90's. I think this is mainly due to my familiarity with their songs and the specific improvisational tendencies and techniques that they usually employ.

My point is that when I ordered the Siket disc off of Dry Goods a while back, it blew me away. It shows that Phish is still an extremely dynamic group of adventurous musicians. The Siket Disc allows them to show the spirit and musical courage of fusion-era Miles Davis, Frank Zappa, Sun Ra, and many other of their obvious musical influences.

If you are an avid fan of challenging and original music, or if you are beginning to doubt the "magic" of late 90s-to-modern day Phish - you should give this disc a spin. I am glad that the boys have reached multi-millionaire success and legions of newer fans, but even Big Cypress did not blow me away like some of the Wolftrap, Lexington, Hampton, etc. shows from the early and mid 90s. This album put a huge smile on my face and reminded me why I loved Phish in the first place.

It will sound cacophonous and nonsensical to most listeners. Musicians and conniseurs of avant-garde jazz and fusion music will see it for the breath of fresh Phish that it is. Thanks go to Page McConnell for arranging these sessions into this CD.