Trey Anastasio - Trey Anastasio June 1, 2002 - Atlantic City Press by Bill Leconey Album Review - Trey Anastasio Just as Phish has always been more diverse than its jam-band contemporaries, lead guitarist and main songwriter Trey Anastasio hides a complexity behind the neo-hippie facade. His solo debut offers more structure than the old roomy improv workouts while expanding the musical palette to influences such as Latin and African jazz, Motown, funk and classical. Anastasio captures a loose, playful vibe with a nine-piece band, half of it horns, fleshed out with backup singers, an extra percussionist and, on two tracks, a string section. Phish fans will not be alienated by Anastasio's solo flights - notably the acid-rock of "Mr. Completely," the gorgeous "Drifting" and the syncopated jazz-fusion of "Last Tube." Non-Phish-heads can admire the blistering guitar train he barrels into the insistently funky "Push On Til the Day," or the straight-up R&B of "Money Love and Change." Anastasio is a guitar wizard, but also a smooth, uncomplicated singer whose voice lends intimacy to autobiographical songs such as "Flock of Words" and "Ether Sunday." There is plenty to explore here - the chicken-scratch of "Cayman Review;" the calypso dance-hall joy of "Alive Again;" the way a single guitar note bends into the sweet harmonies of "Drifting" - and just enough space to make the trip comfortable. Rating: 4 stars