Mike Gordon - Inside In August 19, 2003 - Hear/Say Music Magazine By Jesse Jarnow Album Review - Inside In For as status quo as Phish became during its two-year hiatus, it’s always pleasant to see and hear bassist Mike Gordon pursue his peculiarly perpendicular vision through films and albums. On last year's Clone, a collaboration with avant-folk acoustic guitarist Leo Kottke that abounded with surprising grace, he found a perfect compliment to his sensibility. With Inside In, Gordon's proper solo debut, he never achieves quite the same liveliness, though unveils a tinkerer's passion that revels in the same modest absurdity. While Gordon conducts a small orchestra of guests -- including Phish compadre Jon Fishman, the better part of Bela Fleck and the Flecktones and a gaggle of Vermont jazz cats -- the predominant voice is always his. It’s created through novel instrumental combinations (trombone and pedal steel sliding in tandem), a predilection for mournful country-jazz ("Couch Lady," "Exit Wound") and lyrics that vaguely map the cosmic philosophical ravings of his musical sci-fi B-movie, Outside Out. The results, while not revolutionary, are certainly singular: the sound of a musical personality realizing itself and beginning to carefully assemble an atmosphere that might sustain it. Review © 2003 Hear/Say Music Magazine