@ninebyframe said:

Not sure/too lazy to figure what shows should be displaced, but 12/7 and 12/29 as HM = nans.

I'll give you the weak second set argument on 12/7 but I'll also give you that argument on the #1 show on this list. Personally I don't feel it detracts that much from either show and I was confident McNichols would be #1 in spite of the fact that it is similarly top-heavy.

12/29 I can't really figure a rationale for dissing and I utterly disagree with the anaolgy to 'base-hits' rather than home runs. For one, base-hits, when strung together properly, win games and that writer of that particular blurb may be outing the arbiters of this list as being overly susceptible to the 'big jam' factor, which is pretty evident in 11/17 Ghost carrying it more-or-less single-handedly to the top spot. While I can grant you there are no 'big jams' in the first set, it's blisteringly well-played and does contain excellent - if not all-time - versions of Theme and Antelope. The second set, however, is all-time from front (almost) to back, and I'm really surprised at both the curators of the list and the responses of many forum members at how much their opinions differ from mine. In the specific cases of Possum and Tube, these are my favorite versions of both tunes, played consecutively, so I can't every well endorse the idea that there are a handful of better versions that year, or any year. Bowie may not have the kind of gimmicky, over-long and frankly often unlistenable diversions that many classic versions boast, rather it's just pure high-octane Phish, and the segue into Possum carries so much surprise and fun through into the raucous version to follow. While 12/3's (quite different) take on that move might be preferable to some as it showcases that set's more languid '97-esque' style, the momentum generated by the 12/29 segue seems tailored to the energy of the holiday run and the Garden perfectly, when everything ought to have just a little more pop. This is all not to mention a top-notch DWD that incorporates hard rock, funk, and ambient textures all seamlessly, and an average-great YEM. All killer, zero filler and in a distinctly lean style that is almost like a synthesis of the groove-oriented style of the late 90s with the muscular rock chops of the early 90s.

So yeah, I disagree brahs.

I couldn't have written it better myself. Many of the arguments in favor of shows on this list - solid first sets punctuated by well-played versions of anthemic songs and second sets that flow mesmerizingly from start to finish - could easily be applied to 12/29/97. @Ninebyframe just captured it more eloquently than I could.

I have nothing but the utmost respect for the .net team that invested a lot of time and love into parsing through our favorite year of Phish, and while I will never hide my bias, I think leaving 12/29 off was an oversight. As @ninebyframe mentioned, this show boasts stellar (and perhaps all-time best) versions of Theme, Antelope, Possum, and Tube, and I feel like the reviewers glossed over that, if not outright dismissed the fact.

Anyhow, I can't quarrel with the Top 5 and most of the Top 10. All of these shows are worthy of the praise the reviewers have bestowed upon them. Cheers!