I like DMB but Phish I don’t much care for. Maybe because Mathews has actual structured songs while Phish seems like the musical equivalent of a babeling crazy person.
Oh, Phish songs do actually have structure. There’s distinct parts, tags that signal changes to the band that a solo is over and to move on to the next part of the song, etc…It’s just that these sections seem to go on forever.
I think you’re on to something here, Msmith. As a kid I was the “chick who edits and writes for the lit magazine” type. And I’ve never liked any jam bands but I’m into indie music.
When I was in college DMB and Phish were ultra-popular with people never sober enough to explain the appeal. I can name all the songs I like by either on my fingers. OTOH, I hate Jayz from over-exposure as well, so maybe it’s not just the music’s fault that I’m not a fan.