Most of us are familiar with the following that surrounds the music group Phish. Some of us, including myself, have had the luxury of seeing this great live band many times.

That is why it is difficult for me to say that their latest release, Billy Breathes, is Phish’s most unoriginal studio work to date.

Primarily, what makes it so disappointing is the middling lyrics that are prevalent throughout most of the album.

For instance: on the opening track, “Free,” guitarist and vocalist, Trey Anastasio, sings the lines “In a minute I’ll be free/as we go splashing in the sea/We’ll hear a tiny cry/as the ship goes sliding by.”

Mediocre poetry like this is far from the clever literary references made on previous works like A Picture of Nectar and Lawnboy.

It also seems that most of Billy Breathes is just too radio friendly, much like their last studio album, Hoist. This is most apparent in the tunes “Taste” and soft spoken ballads like “Waste” and the title track, which sound more like the cheesy Top 40 hits my parents listen too.

I’m scared that I’ll be flipping through the dial one of these days to come across Casey Casem saying “And climbing up the charts this week is the latest from that fabulous foursome from Vermont, Phish.”

However there are several moments on the CD that catch your attention. For instance, the song “Theme From the Bottom” has an abbreviated trademark Phish jam that ends in an absorbing a cappela round.

Bassist Mike Gordon’s country ditty, “Train Song,” has a hint of spontaneity and Syd Barret might even be proud of the brief Acid Rock attempt, “Steep.”

Phish-heads might be more satisfied by finding the live versions of these songs through the Phish bootlegging community rather than buying the album.

Those not as familiar with Phish should have a listen to some of their better earlier works such as the afore mentioned A Picture of Nectar or the musical master piece, Rift.

Though Billy Breathes is a bit upsetting, listeners should not be detracted from catching their unsurpassed live show (I’m still going to boogie my heart out when they make a stop at Hilton).

Even though they may have lost their “Sparkle” in the studio, I guarantee anyone who goes to Phish concert will not leave disappointed.

** 1/2