Rodney Hansen

Out-Phishing-STANDING! Phish have long been saddled with the “live band that can’t capture the magic in the studio” tag. Not so! This effort, along with 2009’s stellar JOY, shows Vermont’s own can produce an album every bit as good as a show. And the fans are responding! “Life Saving Gun” “A Wave of Hope” are already tour staples and concert highlights. And, hell, even the songs that might lull in concert make for great album listening. Slow tunes such as “Monsters” and “Lonely Trip” exude a gentle yacht rock groove. And the title track’s chorus is pure bliss in four-part harmony. It’s nice to have a collection of Phish songs this tight. Yeah, the live jams are where it’s at with these guys. But if you want to dig their sound but maybe aren’t up for a 36-minute “Tweezer,” EVOLVE will have you sharin’ in the groove.