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Joy is a journey not to be missed.
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While Joy doesn't find Phish exploring much new territory, the band sticks to their strengths, making for a welcome return.
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The music is rarely rote, nor does it jump, settling for a fussy yet placid amiability, whether the Vermont quartet is in boogie mode ("Kill Devil Falls") or unwinding a 13-minute progressive-rock suite ("Time Turns Elastic").
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If you can't enjoy Joy, you will probably never enjoy Phish. Yet, to paraphrase a vintage Phish song, what's most impressive here is how much they seem to be enjoying themselves--truly, deeply, gratefully. It's nice to have them back.
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Steve Lillywhite’s clear and ungimmicky production makes Joy sound like the band members onstage responding to one another.