Backwards Down The Number Line

''Joy'' is the twelfth studio album by the American rock band Phish, released on September 8, 2009, on the band's own label, JEMP Records.

''Joy'' was Phish's first studio album since '' Undermind'' in 2004, and their first since they reunited in March 2009. The sessions also reunited the band with producer Steve Lillywhite, who last worked with Phish on their 1996 release, ''Billy Breathes''. The album's second single, "Backwards Down the Number Line", was successful on ''Billboards Adult Alternative Songs chart, reaching a peak of #9 in October 2009.

Contents

The first single, "Time Turns Elastic"—originally a multi-movement work for strings, guitar and vocals released as an album earlier in the year by Anastasio—was released for iTunes-only download on May 26, 2009. The album's second single, "Backwards Down The Number Line", was released on iTunes and began radio rotation on August 17, 2009.

Amazon.com released an exclusive live version of "Backwards Down the Number Line", recorded at Red Rocks during the band's summer tour, as a download-only bonus track.

All ten songs were performed live during the band's 2009 summer tour, and have been generally well received by fans. However, "Time Turns Elastic" has been criticized as being too overly composed for ready translation to the live stage, and the album's nostalgic ballads are sometimes thought to dampen the energy of Phish's typically acclaimed live shows.

Reception

''Joy'' received generally favorable reviews upon its release, with a 65/100 critic score on Metacritic, based on nine reviews. ''The New York Times'' commented that "Steve Lillywhite’s clear and ungimmicky production makes ''Joy'' sound like the band members onstage responding to one another," while ''Billboard'' simply stated "''Joy'' is a journey not to be missed."

Many critics also made reference to the band's enthusiasm, with ''Rolling Stone'' commenting that "what's most impressive here is how much they seem to be enjoying themselves—truly, deeply, gratefully." Noting that 2009 marked the band's 25th anniversary together, ''Rolling Stone'' described ''Joys songs as something akin to "a belated birthday party" characterized by nostalgic, reflective lyrics that appear to be influenced by guitarist Trey Anastasio's struggle with drug abuse during the intervening years. ''Rolling Stone'' praised the album as "genuinely great" and "a deeper trip than most Phish LPs".

Track listing

''Party Time''

It was announced on August 10, 2009, that ''Joy'' would be made available for pre-order in several different formats, including CD, vinyl and the "Joy Box" which, in addition to the Joy CD, "will include ten individual Limited Edition posters designed for each of the album’s 10 songs, a complete second album titled ''Party Time'', and a DVD capturing live performances from the first half of Phish’s summer 2009 tour—including footage from the 2009 Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival and the tour’s opening date at Fenway Park in Boston."

A limited edition vinyl was also released at Superball IX, Phish's 2011 summer festival. ''Party Time'' is available as a LivePhish download, but has not yet been made available for stand-alone purchase as a physical CD.

Background

Some of the songs on ''Party Time'' have become a part of Phish's live rotation, with "Alaska" and the title track appearing frequently, as well as appearances of "Windy City", "Gone", "The Birdwatcher", and "Let Me Lie". "Liquid Time" was soundchecked at Festival 8 in Indio, CA. Mike Gordon has played "Only A Dream" regularly with his solo band, and Trey Anastasio has played "Gone" and "Liquid Time" with his solo outfit. "Let Me Lie" also appeared (in a different version) on Anastasio's 2006 solo album ''Bar 17'' and was recorded a third time on his 2012 album '' Traveler''. Furthermore, a re-recording of "Liquid Time" appears on his 2015 album ''Paper Wheels''.

"In a Misty Glade" and "Shrine", both of which feature a rare lead vocal from Fishman, were recorded in March 1998, 11 years before the release of the album. The recording of "The Birdwatcher" on ''Party Time'' dates back to 2004.

Track listing

Personnel

Phish
* Trey Anastasio – guitars, lead vocals, backing vocals, co-lead vocals ("The Birdwatcher")
* Page McConnell – keyboards, backing vocals, lead vocals ("I Been Around", "Windy City", "If I Told You"), co-lead vocals ("Twenty Years Later", "The Birdwatcher")
* Mike Gordon – bass guitar, backing vocals, lead vocals ("Sugar Shack", "Only a Dream", "Can't Come Back"), co-lead vocals ("Twenty Years Later", "The Birdwatcher")
* Jon Fishman – drums, backing vocals, lead vocals ("In a Misty Glade", "Shrine"), co-lead vocals ("Twenty Years Later", "The Birdwatcher")

;Production
* Produced by Steve Lillywhite
* Engineered by CJ Eiriksson
* Mixed by Steve Lillywhite & CJ Eiriksson
* Assisted by Jesse Gladstone
* Additional engineering on "Ocelot" by Ben Collette
* Mastered by Gavin Lurssen

References

External links

Phish's official website

''Washington Post'' review

Vimeo: Phish Official Videos
– "Backwards Down the Number Line" recorded June 12, 2010 in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio.

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Phish albums
2009 albums
LivePhish.com Downloads