So after a few listenings to Joy, my opinions:
BDTNL- pretty good. Better enjoying it on disk than previously seeing it live. (the jam after it at spac not included) the chorus is catchy and i caught myself singin it at work. go ahead and put me in the guilty pleasure thread...
STFTFP- average. not bad but i think this songs full potential is unrealized thus far both on disk and live.
Joy- I dig this tune a little bit and i thought it came out well on the album. something about it makes me feel.... happy
sugar shack- heard this song at camden and thought it was underwhelming. I love it on the album and now can\'t wait to hear it again live, i think it would be a sweet opener for any set. its unique, a little quirky, and a little groovy. woulda fit perfect on rift or nectar, imho
Ocelot- solid tune both live and on the album, but nothing mindblowing... i\'d call it a 2nd cousin to wolfmans brother or 46 days. was that a flub i heard? i\'ve been hearin the debates for at least a week now lol... it sounds a little funny but this band is always funny. doesnt bother me either way
Kill devil falls- i say meh. i enjoyed it enough at the alpine show as a part of the set, but mostly this song doesnt do much for me- live or studio
Light- i wish the opening part was longer, that section is so cool but it seems like some random thing thats not even part of the song? the rest of the tune is cool, but i think this is another song that is gonna be great live but doesnt hit its mark on the album
I been around- it makes me smile
time turns elastic- Its nice to see trey write a big piece to wrap your head around again, and i think they did a great job recording it.... unfortunately it hasnt really blown my hair back yet. eschers etchings I-V is way better than this, and i havent even heard V yet...
20 yrs later- I really really like this song a lot. it sounds different than most other phish songs.... sorta reminds me of led zepplin or something. I think the album version does it justice, and i loved it at spac... and it\'ll only get better with time
Joy (album)- Letter Grade- B. solid comeback album. not an instant classic, but I like a lot of the songs. I think BDTNL, Joy, Sugar Shack, and 20 years later sound better than i expected on the album after hearing the songs in concert first... Cant wait to hear Party Time... Go Phish