Trey Anastasio - Plasma June 15, 2003 - Face Magazine By Shane Handler Album Review - Plasma If you consider Trey Anastasio a dubious inclusion in a column entitled “Got Funk,” you’re correct to do so. However, I recently heard Trey’s band referred to as a funk band (possibly because he’s got a horn section?). So let me set the record straight, they are a rock band…but they’re a damn good rock band. Unfortunately this double-disc live album doesn’t quite capture the intensity the band is capable of. The jam on “Night Speaks to a Woman” has its moments, and the straight-up jazz rendition of Phish’s “Magilla” is great, but my problem with this band is the same as with Phish—the vocals are horrible. I understand the emphasis isn’t on the vocals, but if that’s the case then why bother? Now, admittedly, I’m not crazy about vocals in general, but this album is fodder for my argument against them. Few bands feature that elusive combination of great lyrics with a damn good singer necessary to effectively deliver them (Mofro comes to mind as a notable exception), but Trey is a guitarist not a vocalist. And his attempt at providing vocals for reasons that are beyond me cost this superb band what would otherwise have been a fine record. So despite the fact that the majority of the album is instrumental and nicely executed, this record has little to offer anyone but Phish fans. Article © 2003 Face Magazine