Round Room
Encyclopedia
Round Room is the ninth official studio album
by the American rock
band Phish
, released on December 10, 2002, by Elektra Records
. The album was recorded and released in the lead up to Phish's reunion concert on New Year's Eve 2002 at Madison Square Garden
, which marked the end of the band's two-and-a-half year break.
As with previous Phish albums, the songs originated in collaborative writing sessions between frontman Trey Anastasio
and lyricist Tom Marshall
(with two songs contributed by bass guitarist Mike Gordon
). Round Room is unique, however, in that the final tracks were taken from the band's unedited rehearsal sessions at The Barn
, Anastasio's studio in Vermont. Rolling Stone notes that this approach gives the album a "decidedly live" feeling, and "breathes with an anxious, edge-of-the-seat intensity that's missing from their previous studio efforts." Though largely positive, the review criticizes Anastasio's singing and the "Phishspeak" quality of the lyrics.
Phish appeared on TV twice before their official return to the stage on New Year's Eve 2002. "46 Days" was debuted live on the December 14, 2002, episode of Saturday Night Live
, and "All of These Dreams" debuted five days later on The Late Show with David Letterman.
About a week after the release of Round Room, Phish recorded an impromptu jam session in a studio in New York City, excerpts of which were later scheduled for release as The Victor Disc
. However, this instrumental album has not yet been officially released.
Album
An album is a collection of recordings, released as a single package on gramophone record, cassette, compact disc, or via digital distribution. The word derives from the Latin word for list .Vinyl LP records have two sides, each comprising one half of the album...
by the American rock
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
band Phish
Phish
Phish is an American rock band noted for its musical improvisation, extended jams, and exploration of music across genres. Formed at the University of Vermont in 1983 , the band's four members – Trey Anastasio , Mike Gordon , Jon Fishman , and Page McConnell Phish is an American rock band...
, released on December 10, 2002, by Elektra Records
Elektra Records
Elektra Records is an American record label owned by Warner Music Group. In 2004, it was consolidated into WMG's Atlantic Records Group. After five years of dormancy, the label was revived by Atlantic in 2009....
. The album was recorded and released in the lead up to Phish's reunion concert on New Year's Eve 2002 at Madison Square Garden
Madison Square Garden
Madison Square Garden, often abbreviated as MSG and known colloquially as The Garden, is a multi-purpose indoor arena in the New York City borough of Manhattan and located at 8th Avenue, between 31st and 33rd Streets, situated on top of Pennsylvania Station.Opened on February 11, 1968, it is the...
, which marked the end of the band's two-and-a-half year break.
As with previous Phish albums, the songs originated in collaborative writing sessions between frontman Trey Anastasio
Trey Anastasio
Trey Anastasio is an American guitarist, composer, and vocalist most noted for his work with the rock band Phish...
and lyricist Tom Marshall
Tom Marshall (singer)
Tom Marshall is a lyricist, keyboardist and singer/songwriter best known for his association with Trey Anastasio and the rock band Phish...
(with two songs contributed by bass guitarist Mike Gordon
Mike Gordon
Mike Gordon is a bass guitar player and vocalist most noted for his work with the rock band Phish. Gordon is also an accomplished banjo player, and is proficient at piano, guitar, harmonica and percussion...
). Round Room is unique, however, in that the final tracks were taken from the band's unedited rehearsal sessions at The Barn
The Barn
The Barn is a recording studio on the property of Phish guitarist Trey Anastasio, located in the Green Mountains near .The door of the outhouse on the south side of the barn serves as the cover of Phish's Farmhouse album....
, Anastasio's studio in Vermont. Rolling Stone notes that this approach gives the album a "decidedly live" feeling, and "breathes with an anxious, edge-of-the-seat intensity that's missing from their previous studio efforts." Though largely positive, the review criticizes Anastasio's singing and the "Phishspeak" quality of the lyrics.
Phish appeared on TV twice before their official return to the stage on New Year's Eve 2002. "46 Days" was debuted live on the December 14, 2002, episode of Saturday Night Live
Saturday Night Live
Saturday Night Live is a live American late-night television sketch comedy and variety show developed by Lorne Michaels and Dick Ebersol. The show premiered on NBC on October 11, 1975, under the original title of NBC's Saturday Night.The show's sketches often parody contemporary American culture...
, and "All of These Dreams" debuted five days later on The Late Show with David Letterman.
About a week after the release of Round Room, Phish recorded an impromptu jam session in a studio in New York City, excerpts of which were later scheduled for release as The Victor Disc
The Victor Disc
The Victor Disc is an instrumental studio album by the American band Phish. The material was recorded during an impromptu jam session in New York City, the night before the band's December 2002 appearance on The Late Show with David Letterman...
. However, this instrumental album has not yet been officially released.
Track listing
- "Pebbles and Marbles" (AnastasioTrey AnastasioTrey Anastasio is an American guitarist, composer, and vocalist most noted for his work with the rock band Phish...
, MarshallTom Marshall (singer)Tom Marshall is a lyricist, keyboardist and singer/songwriter best known for his association with Trey Anastasio and the rock band Phish...
) - 11:39 - "Anything But Me" (Anastasio, Herman, Marshall) - 4:30
- "Round Room" (GordonMike GordonMike Gordon is a bass guitar player and vocalist most noted for his work with the rock band Phish. Gordon is also an accomplished banjo player, and is proficient at piano, guitar, harmonica and percussion...
, LinitzJoseph LinitzJoseph Linitz is a lyricist whose songs, co-written with Phish bassist Mike Gordon, include the title track from Phish's Round Room and Train Song from Billy Breathes....
) - 4:13 - "Mexican Cousin" (Anastasio, Marshall) - 3:16
- "Friday" (Anastasio, Herman, Marshall) - 6:31
- "Seven Below" (Anastasio, Marshall) - 8:27
- "Mock Song" (Gordon) - 4:29
- "46 Days" (Anastasio) - 6:15
- "All of These Dreams" (Anastasio, Herman, Marshall) - 4:08
- "Walls of the CaveWalls of the CaveWalls of the Cave is a Phish song written by Trey Anastasio and Tom Marshall, released on the 2002 album, Round Room."Walls of the Cave" made its public debut on AOL, as the Round Room track was available as a streaming file for subscribers. It made its concert debut in the first show back from...
" (Anastasio, Marshall) - 9:59 - "Thunderhead" (Anastasio, Marshall) - 3:19
- "Waves" (Anastasio, Herman, Marshall) - 11:05
Personnel
PhishPhish
Phish is an American rock band noted for its musical improvisation, extended jams, and exploration of music across genres. Formed at the University of Vermont in 1983 , the band's four members – Trey Anastasio , Mike Gordon , Jon Fishman , and Page McConnell Phish is an American rock band...
- Trey AnastasioTrey AnastasioTrey Anastasio is an American guitarist, composer, and vocalist most noted for his work with the rock band Phish...
- guitars, vocals - Page McConnellPage McConnellPage Samuel McConnell is an American multi-instrumentalist most noted for his work as a songwriter and keyboardist with the American rock band Phish....
- keyboards, vocals - Mike GordonMike GordonMike Gordon is a bass guitar player and vocalist most noted for his work with the rock band Phish. Gordon is also an accomplished banjo player, and is proficient at piano, guitar, harmonica and percussion...
- bass guitar, vocals - Jon FishmanJon FishmanJon Fishman is an American drummer best known for his work with the band Phish. He is credited with co-writing 19 Phish originals, 8 of them as a solo credit....
- drums, vocals