Phish - Undermind (2-LP Vinyl)

Released June 2004 on double vinyl, Undermind marks Phish's final studio album before their initial breakup later that summer—a bittersweet document of the Vermont quartet's creative state after two decades together. Produced by Tchad Blake at his studios in Vermont and Los Angeles, the album captures Phish balancing their compositional complexity with more concise, radio-friendly arrangements. Songs like "Scents and Subtle Sounds," "Crowd Control," and "Two Versions of Me" showcase Trey Anastasio's songwriting evolution, while tracks like "Army of One" and "Access Me" demonstrate the band's continued ability to shift between musical styles and moods.

Undermind's production represents a departure from Phish's earlier studio work—Blake's approach emphasizes clarity and definition over the jammy looseness of albums like Billy Breathes or Farmhouse. Trey's guitar tones are more focused, Page McConnell's keyboards occupy specific sonic spaces rather than washing over everything, Mike Gordon's bass sits prominently in the mix with melodic lines clearly audible, and Jon Fishman's drums punch through with precision. The result is Phish's most polished studio album, though some fans prefer the rougher edges of earlier releases.

What makes Undermind significant in Phish's catalog is its position as the end of an era—the last studio statement before the band split in 2004, only to reunite in 2009. Listening now, after years of post-reunion touring and releases, Undermind feels like both an ending and a preview of where Phish would go when they returned. The double vinyl pressing preserves the album's dynamic range and sonic detail.

Double LP vinyl. Released June 2004. Produced by Tchad Blake. Final studio album before their 2004 breakup.