Trey's coming and he'd like a review April 25, 2002 - Daily Targum (Rutgers University) by Josh Appelbaum Album Review - Trey Anastasio Well its funny don't you know / That change is the one thing you can count on / Wondering where does it go / If I had more money I would buy some time." These lines from "Money Love and Change,"— a cacophonous and eclectic number on Trey Anastasio's new solo album — are characteristic of the axeman's new style and focus. Taking extra care and time, the Phish guitarist leaves his fingerprints all over and The Trey Anastasio Band's Cuban Jazz and African beat-saturated sound and introspective lyrics make the record distinct and memorable. Featuring drummer Russ Lawton and bassist Tony Markellis among numerous horn and string players adds an orchestral feel to the sound, preserving the immediacy and pep of the band's 2001 live shows. The record captures the surging persistence of the band's rhythm section, the unique dimension of the horns and the trademark lyrics of Tom Marshall. Additionally, Anastasio's stellar compositions will make you want to instinctively shake your groove thing or simply sit back with your favorite refreshment and soak up the sweet and sour sound. "Push On Til The Day," is a bluesy, rollicking showcase of the pleasure of tension/release jamming and of Anastasio's homey, eccentric lyrics: "Hot coffee and scrambled eggs / The back of the worm and the wooden leg / Transfusion and a turkey ham / Two bushwhackers and an angry ram." The centerpiece, however, is the jollily robust basslines courtesy of the sublime Markellis, who pushes harder and grooves deeper and more intricately with the tune's buildup. The pinnacle of Anastasio's arrangements come with "Last Tube," a number whose sheer length (11:22) might drive non-jam fans to write the song off if not for its tighter-than-airport-security psychedelic wah-wah and the cheerfully frenetic percussion of Cyro Baptista. The sonic juggernaut picks up speed with the exhilarating flute arrangement that breathes life into the jam, whose title refers to the last surf of the day. Slower, more solemn arrangements include "Flock of Words" and "Mr. Completely." The lazily melodious "Drifting" is a lyrically profound, albeit sometimes sappy, musically sparse tune. "Ray Dawn Balloon," an instrumental incarnation of Oysterhead's "Radon Balloon" is a little too subtle and lacks the dynamic of "Radon." Generally, numbers like "Flock of Words" and the classical arrangement "At The Gazebo" get lost in the musical gumbo, overshadowed by the pop and fizzle of funk explosions like "Cayman Review," which incorporates a Creole-infused style into the wide scope of funk which the record employs. The Trey Anastasio Band's musical creations prove the effort isn't just a Phish pacifier; it ranks highly in realm of the guitarist's work to date. The Album is eclectic, funky and passionately translates to a wholly satisfying experience, transcending categorization and adding creative breadth to the jame scene.