Phish — Round Room

Round Room

Elektra/Warner

Geoff Dennis (CHARTattack)

12/10/2002 2:30pm

Phish are back. As far as you three-minute-song lovers go, crank the Interpol and let the loser hippies have their day. Recorded over four days at Trey Anastasio’s Barn in Vermont, Round Room is the closest thing to being in a proper studio with them. Clocking in at over 78 minutes, the ultra-jammy disc is sure to please with opuses like "Pebbles And Marbles" and "Waves," which showcase the band’s mastery of improvised, spacey grooves. There are a few foibles, like the lyrically challenged "Mexican Cousin." And keyboardist Page McConnel sings altogether too frequently. After a two-year hiatus (minus the multitude of live releases that came out this year), any Phish phreak will gladly sacrifice some of their weekly bud budget for new material.