In the Groove: Audio Reviews February 22, 1993 - The Associated Press by Lincoln Ellis Album Review - Rift "Rift" (Elektra) - Phish If the success of Phish rested simply on the group's Grateful Dead influences, this would be something less than a spectacular record. But it doesn't. Phish's fourth record, the band's second in as many years, is brilliantly made up of jazz, country, rock, bluegrass and blues. Perhaps it's the harmonies that have become a staple of Phish over the years, or maybe it's just the eclectic nature of the lyrics that complement the well-composed music. Whatever you pick, the substance is there. The seeming schizophrenia that is first encountered in the early tracks is nothing more than a prelude to excellence. "All Things Reconsidered" is a picture of public radio's underbelly - soft, warm and inviting. "Mound" piles on the blues, heap after heap, in a delightful compilation of inviting riffs. "The Wedge" deals with life and the adventures that come up unexpectedly. Sometimes, a major label has a tendency to destroy a band's creative better side. If this was a concern of any Phish fans, they can rest assured that this third Elektra release signifies the opposite. This is Phish at their most creative yet.