Too much work, too many albums, not enough time...(Part 2)

Vocalist Dan McCafferty has retired from touring due to his declining health and Pete Agnew's band has already named a replacement, but don't write off that distinct voice yet.  This album is far superior to the last one and has sold better as a result, charting in Sweden, Germany, Norway and Austria, as well as having a three-week run in Switzerland. 



About half of this is very good, eliciting head bobbin' and foot stompin' in the car, a few tracks are better than average and a couple aren't.  For a man who just turned 68, McCafferty's still got it.  So what if he doesn't travel?  Plop him down in a chair in the studio with a bottle of Jack on the counter and turn on the microphone.  Let the other guy sing on tour.

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This time Hiatt has stumbled, IMO.  Instead of dipping his toes in the blues as he normally does, this time he's waist-deep in them........and it doesn't work.  Color me disappointed.  I had to wait over half the album before a track finally played that had the sound I anticipated.  This isn't the song I'm referring, but it is one of the three keepers...



There is one classic tune to be found on "Terms..." and it's entitled "Old People"

Old people are pushy, cause you don't know how they feel
And when you pretend you do
Well they know it's not real
Pretty soon it's gonna be all over
Good enough reason not to let you pass
They done seem like sweet, little old people
But they are not about to kiss your ass

I'm getting to this point in my life..........

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Now this is more like it.  This will be the first Phish title added to my collection since Farmhouse in 2000.  Of course, there have only been two others since then.........details... 
This record is more mature with only a smattering of reckless abandon, yet it works.  Some tracks have short passages which hint at twenty-year-old tunes, but hint only.  The title track opener excels...



...and the single non-Anastasio penned number (solo credited to Page McConnell) is a winner, too.  My guess is the impetus came from behind the board.  Bob Ezrin, producer extraordinaire, manned this project and I have to believe there was much trust from the band as to his suggestions. 

Well done, gentlemen......