I loved 97+ mainly because Mike was in the center spotlight. For once HE overshadowed Trey both technically and volume wise. My biggest complaint post-hiatus (besides the 9999+billion fucked up changes and notes) was the remixing at the monitors. Not only was Trey\'s new Languedoc too loud, but Mike\'s new bass was too quiet, this dropped Mike in the mix considerably. I can understand that some of the jams 97-00 were wanky, but there were some gems that I consider to be the best Phish has ever had to offer improvisationally. For instance check out Oak Mountain 99\'s YEM and Auburn Hills 99 YEM (the apocalyptic YEM).
In the end no two sets of ears are the same, you may here one thing, while I hear another.