Phish - Farmhouse May 15, 2000 - Instant Magazine By Staff Album Review - Farmhouse I have a confession to make to all of you who are new to Instant (those who have been around since the early days know this and laugh about it regularly). I am/was/might always be a Phishead. Yes, I'm a phan. Have been for a long, long time. Don't go to shows anymore because most of the younger fans (not phans, they have not earned that right yet) just don't get it ...but you just cannot get it out of your system. Phish, as we all know, is all about playing live. And when they are on, they are amazing. Never has there been a CD even slightly comparable to your favorite show. With Farmhouse, there still isn't, however, this record brings the band one step closer to potential radio-stardom. The title track is a fluid, goose-pimple inducing track that reminds you of how great this band can be. "Heavy Things" is a jumpy, fun song that is sure to become a favorite live number, much like "Stash" and "Chalkdust Torture". Phish's last studio effort, Story of the Ghost, does not even compare to Farmhouse. This is a top-notch effort, showing four amazing musicians coming to grips with the fact that they could very well be "pop-stars". Phish will always remain the quintessential touring band and they will always be in my blood ...sometimes I just wish it did not take songs like "Farmhouse" or "Twist" to remind me of that ...I just wish I still enjoyed seeing them live. I long for the way it was with this band back in '93/'94. I sound like a dork, so I will stop now.