Trey Anastasio - Seis De Mayo April 11, 2004 - Iowa State Daily By Eric Rowley Album Review - Seis De Mayo Trey Anastasio has released a new album. Amazingly, it's not another live show. Anastasio's newest, "Seis De Mayo," is the sixth release in his solo career, and it is by far the most unique to date. "Seis De Mayo" is an all-instrumental arrangement of songs Anastasio has either done by himself or with Phish. Needless to say, it is a very unconventional sound. Anastasio and Troy Peters' mastery of orchestral arrangement is omnipresent in the album. Cleverly supported by both opposite and supporting melodies, the main themes of the songs covered are not lost in the arrangement. Anastasio has taken his uncanny ability of writing great jams, crossed them with his background in free jazz and poured that passion into arranging and playing seven songs. "Guyute," originally found on the album "A Story of a Ghost," is the most impressive track. Although radically different from the original, this version takes the listener through an array of emotions ranging high to low and then abruptly ending. Seattlemusic, a 66-piece orchestra known for scoring many songs for movies, performs the 11-minute song. "Prologue," which is similar to "Pebbles and Marbles" on "Round Room," is equally impressive and almost as good as "Guyute." The tranquil sounds of both seamlessly flow together and will pacify any Phish fan with the unbelievable adaptation of the two songs. "All Things Reconsidered," covered off of "Rift," is a very complicated piece. Mumbled with minor chords throughout the piece, it might leave listeners wondering how many notes can fit into one song. "Andre the Giant" opens "Seis de Mayo" and really doesn't fit in with the rest of the album. Unfortunately, it's not nearly as complicated as the other six songs. Although it isn't a bad song, its musical frailty makes it stand out awkwardly. This album is a very mature work. Who knows what will be next for Anastasio -- this was an impressive step him. For the "I'm-in-college-and-I-want-to-be-a-hippie" Phish fan, this album might not be for you. But for the hardcore Trey or Phish fan who knows every song, you're going to love this album. Review © 2004 Iowa State Daily