Mike Gordon Goes Inside October 12, 2003 - Chicago Tribune By Nathaniel Friedman Are the other members of Phish anything without vocalist, guitarist and general lightning rod for inspiration Trey Anastasio? The Dead have proven their worth without Jerry; similar stakes are raised Mike Gordon's solo debut. Luckily, 'Inside In,' a quirky, loose-limbed pastiche that sometimes resembles a backwoods Zappa, passes the test with flying colors. What's more, Gordon takes Phish's sometimes theatrical sensibility to the next level, populating the record with a cast of loosely-defined characters with names like "The Soulfood Man" and "The Couch Lady." To be sure, there are chops galore on 'Inside In.' But it often seems that Gordon's more interested in messing with your head than blowing your mind, which is probably a smart way to go if you're trying to get past the jam-band trap of wowing yourself and the audience with the same old tricks. Article Copyright © 2003 Chicago Tribune