Mike Gordon's 'Green Sparrow' August 2nd, 2008 - Vail Daily By Charlie Owen Album Review - The Green Sparrow It's so much easier to appreciate Mike Gordon's influence on the now-defunct-possibly-soon-to-be-reunited band Phish once you hear his solo material. Much of what Gordon does on his latest release, "The Green Sparrow," sounds just like Phish without the 20 minute guitar solos, but unfortunately it also lacks the ambition of even the weakest of Phish studio recordings. "The Green Sparrow" starts out strong with the groove-heavy song "Another Door" and rides the crest of a really fun wave through songs like "Dig Further Down" (on which Trey Anastasio lends guest guitar) and "Andelman's Yard." But when the album takes a turn for more jazzy territory just after the mid-way point it also slows down considerably. While it is not completely devoid of interesting music and lyrics, it certainly isn't able to hold the momentum the first half creates. Phish fans will undoubtedly value the album as a link to the legendary jam band's chronicles, even if they never tour again, but as a solo artist Gordon has the potential to expand on what everybody already knows he's capable of, with or without his former bandmates. Article © 2008 Vail Daily. All Rights Reserved.