that's how they roll.

they saw Phish in 97 and went Shit, that's the formula.

that other review made me laugh a lot. this is a fantastic & fun show, typical of the era, and while the 2nd set & encore ARE outstanding, to say that there's nothing worthwhile in the first set, well... i think the other review was written by a jaded "jamband" vet, viewing the world through self-fulfilling-prophecy-colored glasses (which carry the misconceptions that "the first set's always a snoozer!" and that "this isn't subjective -- i KNOW what i'm talking about!").

point being that this is a good, solid 1st set all around. especially noteworthy 1st set moments: the >trooper is HEAT, story is excellent, and HOUSE DOG is the crown jewel, imo.

the funkytown segment in set II was an unexpected bit of fun too; definitely worth the listen.

... how, no matter which jamband is in question, they often play an incognito first set, then follow it up with a second set thatâs a nonstop, creative, jammed-out odyssey? This Biscuits show is yet another one of those. Through the first set here, thereâs virtually nothing worth listening to (*maybe* the Spy --> Store segue; thatâs it). In the second set, thereâs virtually nothing that *isnât* worth listening to.

A-Level Jams: Jamillia-->Robots-->Basis
Jamillia evolves into of a steady, slow, persistent riff, then picks up speed. The jam is creative at all speeds, and when itâs hit the right pace, morphs into Robots. Nice. They sustain the momentum through a well-jammed Robots, and on through Basis. Next is Little Lai, and that too becomes an outstanding, complex, instrumentally interwoven jam. Even songs that sometimes get perfunctory treatment, like ATW and Triumph, are originals in this show. Triumph has a great tease - no spoilers here. The Frog Legs - - > Copters encore is beautifully done, too.

Free advice: Skip ahead to Jamilia if youâre listening to this show. Youâre busy, youâve got lots going on, your time is too precious to waste listening to the first set, when the Biscuits offer so much thatâs so superior. Trust me.

Why itâs four stars: This is a five-star second set, that follows a two-star first set. So Iâll round up. If the second set were A+-level jams, Iâd forgive the first set entirely, give this show five stars, and be done with it. But the second set is straight-A-level, not A+. Worth a listen? Yes. But unrivaled among â02 Biscuits shows? No way.