New Phish Album Due October 28, 2002 - Rolling Stone By Robin Rothman "Round Room" release will precede reunion shows It took two years of indefinite hiatus and sporadic collaborations for all four members of Phish to get back together (a brief wedding appearance notwithstanding), but it has taken them only four days to produce an unexpected new album. Round Room, Phish's ninth studio recording and their first since 2000, is slated for release by Elektra Records on December 10th. That leaves fans only three weeks to familiarize themselves with the new tunes (and to revisit those few that frontman Trey Anastasio debuted with his solo band) before Phish's highly anticipated New Year's Eve reunion at Madison Square Garden. Produced by Bryce Goggin, Round Room "ripples with raw, vital energy and features a healthy dose of the band's trademark improvisational style," the band posted on its Web site. For those who preorder the album through the site, Phish is offering the chance to win a limited-edition poster from a previous New Year's performance and two coveted tickets for one of three upcoming shows in Hampton, Virginia, January 2nd, 3rd and 4th. Three runners-up will also receive a pair of Hampton tickets. The band doesn't specify which date. Phish also announced plans to hit the road in late February. Though they have not announced specific dates and locations, the tour will include both coasts. Meanwhile, the third installment of Live Phish, Volumes 13-16, including four Halloween shows, arrives in stores tomorrow. © 2002 Rolling Stone