Phish - Undermind June 21, 2004 - San Francisco Gate By Aidin Vaziri Album Review - Undermind So the band's bassist, Tim [sic, actually printed] Gordon, says Phish front man Trey Anastasio is on a bit of a Paleolithic kick lately: He trashed his CD collection, burned his television set, doesn't even use e-mail. The civilized world has lost all its appeal. All he needs is his barn, beard and tub of personalized Ben & Jerry's ice cream. Anastasio's reorganization plan extends to the group as well. Less than two weeks before the arrival of its 10th studio album, "Undermind," out this Tuesday, he unexpectedly decided that America's favorite jam band must also go. It's a bit of a shame because after 21 years together, Phish (at left singing the national anthem at a basketball game in Vermont) has finally made an album that even people who hate Phish can listen to without spitting. Standout tracks like "The Connection" and "A Song I Heard the Ocean Sing" are not only focused and tuneful -- possible firsts with this lot -- but alluringly dark, like Jimi Hendrix lobbing his flaming guitar at a pasture of snot-nosed hippies. It's a glorious about-face, watching such an enormous band go from neutered festival rock to music that reels with genuine emotion. And yet the bitter irony is that "Undermind" is the kind of record only a band dangling from the end of a noose could make. Review © 2004 San Francisco Gate