Customer Reviews

Trey Anastasio

5 star:		(24)
4 star:		(22)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

I Have been obsessed with the music of Phish for more than a year now and consider them to be one of the best bands (if not the best) of their time. When I heard Trey was coming out with a solo album I was ecstatic since the band hasn't released any new material since Farmhouse. When I got the record and put it in the stereo I was blown away. It had the avante garde edge of Phish with stronger songs and much more dynamic sound. It it was a thrill to hear the powerful horns, funky rhythms, and terrific guitar playing. Push on Til Day exhibits Trey's exceptional talent on guitar with an amazing solo that mixes the jazziness of Phish's earlier effort with a strong, bluesy feel. Caymen Review, Alive Again, and Ether Sunday show considerable reggae influence and are highlights of the album. So what if it isn't Phish. It retains all the great qualities of Phish and simply expands on them. Its not Junta or Picture of Nectar, however, it is a must have for any Phish fan. Trey truly shows that he can hold his own without Phish; this cd is more than enough proof.

Enough with the comparisons to Phish... The horn section delivers a solid punch to add to the hardline grooves of bassist Markellis and drummer Lawton. It's nice and rhythmic with a lot of Afro-Cuban influence. Trey is the undisputed leader of this band and he shows it. He wrote all the music, including the horn charts. Quite a departure from Phish, which is a good thing since we don't know how long they will be "resting" (us phans didn't need to be teased with Phishy type songs!) Go catch Trey this summer, you will not be disappointed. And get this CD, it's really great to listen to. Horns kick [behind]. Highlights include the whole album. Really great lyrics by Tom Marshall on "Flock of Words." I love this disc.

Well, I've been a Phish fan for years, always prone to two styles of jamming they produce, the spacefunk, and the chaos. This Trey CD doesn't capture the essence of Phish, or those two styles of Phish jamming I enjoy the most, and it's clear that it's not supposed to. It does do a great job of summarizing the last two years of solo touring Trey has been up to, though. Well, if you haven't heard it, the album is loaded with great party music. The track "Push on 'til the Day" is a jazz funk caribbean latino rock out jamboree, guaranteed to make ya shake, that displays best what Trey wants to do with this project. He wants people of all races, all ages, all that stuff, to appreciate what he's done. He wants little kids to boogie down and music aficionados (aka snobs) to say, "Hmmm, that's pretty decent stuff." So, unless you hate Trey Anastasio and that's all there is to it, you should go on and pick up this album. And don't expect much mellow. It's a rip roarin' party time boogie funk extravaganza you just can't keep a lid on! Yup.

I thought on "Shine" he strayed a little too far away from his classic "Trey" sound, however, this album is a perfect blend between his Phish roots and his own personality; plus his pure views on music and music theory really shine through very well, no pun intended. If you consider yourself a Trey fan and a Trey lover, this is a necessary addition to your collection; these tracks are exemplary.

Trey's first solo effort, sans One Man's Trash, is really anything but. Supported by a nine member backing band, with some special guests strewn about, the sum of all the parts make for a quite outstanding whole. These road tested songs translate to the studio seamlessly. Alive again, although not my favorite track establishes momentum from the onset that never stops until the last note of Ether Sunday. The bouyancy of Cayman Review offers a deviation from standard phish guitar licks, while Push On Til' The Day offers horn filled grooviness that would entice anyone to dance. Night Speaks sees Trey creep back out of his standard playing by using a more crunchy guitar tone that illustrates just how eclectic this album is. The supporting vocals and horns are all placed perfectly like a fine tuned orchestra, which is what we all know Trey is moving towards as his music grows. Some of the slower songs(i.e. Flock of Words and Drifting) don't detract from the album. Placed perfecly, they offer some meaningful life lessons presented pleasantly to the ear. The album ends as strongly as it starts, with a funk/reggae vibe that could only be pulled off by a man who is a guitar viruoso and experimenting conductor. The risks unequivocally pay off as well as the choice of each backing band member. After one listen, it stayed in my CD player for quite some time.

I've listened to this CD about 20 times since I picked it up last week, and it's flawless! I was afraid that Trey would release a Phish-lite CD, but that is not the case here. Playing with new musicians has definatley lit the creative spark, missing over the last few Phish albums, and I can't wait to see this group live. Amazing playing and tight arrangements. If you are as sick of the radio friendly [music] out there today as I am, pick up this CD. It will be your soundtrack for Summer 2002 and beyond.

This is the best Phish (catch) of the day. This is some good Phish! More like, good Anastasio! I've never been a fan of Phish, until I saw a special "cameo-appearance" of Trey and his entourage on Fox TV's, "The Simpson's." It showed the band performing a gig for the citizens of Springfield, partying with Homer and the gang. (Hence, the marijuana use and the heavy beer-drinking they were doing on the show.) Needless to say, It made me laugh, to seeing them perform in front of this large backdrop, of a marijuana plant. Nonetheless, they really know how to make good music and working the crowd. I was so intrigued by them.

I was so delighted, to hear Trey's self-titled album. I got his
album at a record store - on a whim - to discovering the talent of Trey's prolific, musical-prowess. (However, I don't have any of Phish CD's.) The album comes-off sounding a little bit like: Jimi Hendrix, Santana and Eric Clapton. The compositions on this album, are a mix of different musical-genres: part blues, funk, jazz, and then some....Trey's "the master" with the guitar. He's so smooth and articulate.

With the beautiful-harmonies of the "horn section" playing in some of the songs, gives the music an up-tempo, brassy-like feel. With its "funky-riffs" and catchy lyrics from "Alive Again" and "Cayman Review" - it provokes the listener to "get up and dance."

Although, there are some songs like "Flock Of Words" and "Ether Sunday" that you can chill to. You've got to be able to "dig-deeper" to finding the meaning of some of the lyrics, in the songs. I haven't the foggiest-idea of what "Ray Dawn Balloon" is all about....Is the song about a guy named Ray, who takes his "hot-air balloon" for rides at the "break-of-dawn?" Frankly, I don't know. Funny huh? It's an instrumental guitar-solo with a wonderful "string-arrangment." I liked the horn-driven, string-tinged "At The Gazebo." You have to take a listen to this album, it'll stir-up your emotions and make you "get-up and dance."

This is such an interesting CD...I was actually not aware Trey was coming out with a new album until a friend told me about it. I have since had the opportunity to listen to it and will be purchasing it soon. I at first thought it would sound a lot like Phish, but it is surprisingly very different.

Although from time to time you can hear previous Phish influences, this is overall a very different album. The backup gospel singers, horn section, and strings in combination give it a very interesting and unique sound. I've never heard anything quite like the material on this album before. Overall, it's a very eclectic mix of funk, country, and improv...rather hard to describe. You'll have to hear it to understand :)

I'd definitely recommend this album to anyone, Phish fan or not. There's something on it for everybody...I guarantee you'll enjoy it.

I just got this CD, and I have to say I'm very impressed. It's not even close to Phish, but it's good. This is the best solo stuff from any of the Phish members. Night Speaks, Alive Again, and Cayman Review are the most solid and catchy-est songs. Trey does go slightly more "poppy" than Phish and his other albums with this one, but it's deffinetly worth buying if you're a serious phan or just getting into Trey and Phish.

This has to be one of Trey's 'phinest' cd's. I have had this cd for a few years now and I never grow tired of it. Some of the jems on this cd are "Alive Again, Cayman Review, Flock of Words, and Ether Sunday." Trey's back up singer Jenifer gives the cd a soul sound and his horn section allows for a new groove that is way different than Phish. Buy this cd.