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The songs on Phish's 7th album range from gentle acoustic ballads like "Waste," which resembles early Pink Floyd's quieter moments, to the anthemic rush of the opening "Free," to the funky, organ-based instrumental "Cars Trucks Buses." This is thinking-man's classic rock, with a generous and broad concept of what classic rock might be. The stamp of the Phish is laid upon all the tracks by the deft musicianship of guitarist Trey Anastasio and keyboardist Page McConnell.
While the band boasts an impressive amount of collective chops, it never veers into crass showmanship or self-indulgent solos. Even the most upbeat tunes possess a light touch and appealing subtlety that let Phish's compositional and instrumental prowess shine in a natural, unpretentious way. Happily unhip, the band exists entirely outside the alterna-pop mill that defines much of the contemporary pop scene. It's likely that Phish's stubborn individuality is the very quality that has endeared the band to a vast, devoted fan base. On BILLY BREATHES, Phish gives those fans another reason to keep the faith.
Live Recording
Recorded at Bearsville Studios, Bearsville, New York between February and June 1996.
Personnel: Trey Anastasio (vocals, guitar); Page McConnell (vocals, keyboards); Mike Gordon (vocals, bass guitar).
Audio Mixers: John Siket; Steve Lillywhite.
Liner Note Author: Bruce Burgess.
Recording information: Bearsville Sound Studios, Bearsville, NY (02/1996-06/1996); Bearsville Studios, NY (02/1996-06/1996).
Photographer: Danny Clinch.
Unknown Contributor Roles: Page McConnell; Trey Anastasio.
Phish: Trey Anastasio, Jon Fishman, Mike Gordon, Page McConnell.
Rolling Stone (10/31/96, pp.65-66) - 4 Stars - Excellent - "...a quiet gem of an album....confirms that [Phish is] much more than a jam band from Burlington, Vt., with a swelling fan base....concise, radio-attractive songs..."
Entertainment Weekly (10/18/96, p.79) - "...Ditching the overproduction that cluttered previous records (and taming their jam-band excesses), rock's largest-living cult band have never sounded more pastoral. Pianos and guitars glisten like sun-drenched streams, and each song averages only one solo instead of the usual two or four..." - Rating: B-
Phish - Billy Breathes Songs
Billy Breathes Music Review
Average Rating: (4.4 out of 5 stars)    Fine piece of work
I enjoy this album thoroughly. "Cars, Trucks, Buses" is one of my favorite songs. Page has a tendency to write extraordinary jazzy instrumentals featuring the piano/organ. Also "Free" and "Character Zero" are good starters. Billy Breathes (the CD), was a clever plot to draw in the masses, by sounding more mellow and poppy almost, and then drawing them back into the jam-bandy funk-type sound with "Story of the Ghost." Anyway, excellent album.
Submitted by Eric (Black Creek, WI)
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Trey feels pressure to write purty songs...
Which is why Billy Breathes is as poppy as it is and which is why 95-96 were the two worst years in Phish history. This is a geat album recorded in Bearsville Studio in Bearsville,New York. According to Phish legend the boys still felt pressure to please the whole world, they didn't understand that staying the same was A GREAT THING. Check out this album for Theme From the Bottom, Bliss and Billy Breathes.
Submitted by scijigglephish (Johnson,VT/Milford,CT)
Was This Review Helpful? Yes No  Pretty Good
This album is pretty funky and has some good songs, but it doesn't have enough jams. Phish's big thing is having LOOOONG jams at the end of and in the middle of their songs. If this album would have had both funky, mellow, and jam rock songs, it would have been absolutely perfect.
Submitted by a reviewer (North Carolina, USA)
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 Phish still rockin' and rollin'
Out of all of the phish albums, this one is probably the mellowist. It has rockin' songs and quiet songs. Each one has it's own phish sound and feel to it. From mellow to rockin', this album has it all. Very catchy and great hooks.
Submitted by a reviewer (columbus, ohio)
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gotta love the Phish
This is one of the best CD's I own. The album is the most relaxing of all the Phish CDs i think. I just put it on and veg out. The songs flow so well together, then the album finishes with my fav song, Prince Caspien. Billy Breathes leaves me feeling great when it's over :^)
Submitted by Andrew007 (Pittsburgh, Pa, US of A)
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