The New Oldies: #3 2024 Album of the Year: Phish – Evolve

Something seems to be missing these days. It seems that record companies, radio stations, and streaming services are pushing some the great established musicians to the background. As a result these veteran artists are not getting the attention they deserve. Enter the Top 10 Album Countdown: The New Oldies. The main point is simple – to make this list you must have at least 20 years of producing established music. The album by the artist must have been released between November 1st, 2023 and October 31st, 2024

#3 Phish – Evolve

Phish is one of the greatest improvisational bands in the history of music. In terms of their improvisations and jams, there has to be a core to base it off of. Although Phish is well known for they live performances, they have been doing studio albums for five decades. This past year, Phish would release its sixteenth studio album – Evolve.

Evolve is a perfect name because this album was truly an evolution. Tracks such as Evolve, Oblivion, and Live Saving Gun made appearances at Phish concerts. Evolve, A Wave of Hope, and Lonely Trip appeared on Trey Anastasio’s solo album Lonely Trip. Hey Stranger and Mercy appeared on Anastasio’s Mercy album. Finally Live Saving Gun appears on Page McConnell’s collaborative album January.

The album simply delivers on every track. Hey Stranger is a standout track that has a slight Latin groove to it. Oblivion is simply a classic jam track. Tracks like Monsters, Valdese and the title track are best described as quintessential Phish. Meanwhile, A Wave of Hope bring some classic rock elements mixed with the jam sound where Page McConnell’s signature keyboard sound shines. All of these tracks could easily be put into an extended jam and enjoyed.

Evolve will hook you right away, and the more you listen to it, the more and more this album, it has all the makings of an absolute classic.