Rock Billy Breathes November 15, 1996 - Baltimore Sun By J.D. Considine Album Review - Billy Breathes Given the kind of devotion the band Phish has developed through its live shows, it shouldn't be surprising that music industry pundits would have the band pegged for some kind of commercial breakthrough. But as nice as it would be to see "Billy Breathes" sell millions, it's hard to imagine the album actually turning Phish into a household name. As with "Hoist," the band's last studio album, "Billy Breathes" is built not around jams but solid, well-constructed tunes, with catchy choruses and intricate, engaging arrangements. What they lack, though, is the irrepressible melodic bliss that made "Hoist" such a surprise. Instead, what the band goes after is a sort of tuneful melancholy, not unlike what The Beatles evoked through much of "Rubber Soul." While that lends a breathtaking lyricism to the likes of "Waste" and "Talk," it doesn't provide the kind of musical presence most listeners expect in a hit single. Then again, that's probably just as well, because by emphasizing the quiet, reflective character of these songs, Phish ends up giving its audience more to listen to. The best of these songs boast depths no one could possibly plumb in a single hearing. And isn't artistic success better than the commercial kind? Article © 1996 Baltimore Sun