Phish studio album recommendations?

Phish fans; what are their best studio albums? If I was going to get.. say three studio albums by them, which ones should I get? Thanks.

 

Junta
Rift
Billy Breathes

Honorable mention:
Lawn Boy

Just be aware you won’t get close to the live sound with any of the studio albums.

 

Is "A Live One" a good example of a live album by them? If not, what would you recommend as far as live albums (official releases)? Thanks.

 

Welcome, this is a farmhouse

 

Billy Breathes, most accessible to new listeners
Hoist, first album with a heavier rock feel
Rift, their only “concept” album

edit:

Billy Breathes is my favorite of all their studio albums, and the only one my mom likes. It also has, in my opinion, a continuity akin to The Beatles “Abbey Road”.

 

Yes it is.

Also, “Slip, Stitch and Pass” is outstanding.

 

A Live One has more of the early odd prog Phish style. Slip Stitch.. is when they started getting more into funk.

 

Yes. Try these two for samplings of the two main eras of Phish.
If you don't like these, Phish isn't for you.

Personally, I would avoid Hoist - very slick, somewhat dated production.
Junta is their first album & contains the studio versions of several of their core songs.
Rift is far and away their most (only?) cohesive studio statement.
Billy Breathes has a solid collection of tracks that flows well.

 

Just dive right into the live stuff. It’s simply the best.

 

Depends on what you like. My favorites are Billy Breathes, Rift, and Farmhouse. I think those have best combinations of songs, performance, production, and cohesiveness. If you’re into complicated prog rock or Zappa, skew earlier (Rift, Lawn Boy, Junta).

A couple of places not to start: Round Room, which is essentially a demo. They recorded a demo and then just decided to release it. There are good songs on it, but it’s pretty sloppy in spots, so not a great place to start unless you like that sort of thing. Fuego, their first Bob Ezrin produced album, is not good. Phish, aka the White Tape, is a collection of early four-track demos. Party Time is a collection of outtakes.

As others have mentioned, checking out a live album, too, isn’t a bad idea. Either of the ones mentioned are good.

 

Some good recommendations so far. For three studio albums, I recommend

1) A Picture of Nectar (1992)
2) Billy Breathes (1996)
3) Farmhouse (2000)

Three very different albums populated with some of the band's best material.

If you're looking to dip your toes into a live set, you can't go wrong with Madison Square Garden 12-31-95.

 

I like Hoist more than most fans seem to. Has some slick parts, but good songs and the weird long cut "Demand" at the end.

 

In addition to the excellent choices already posted here, Junta, Rift, BB, Farmhouse, I would add from the 3.0 camp 2014's Fuego. Fuego is great start to finish as a studio album. Strong writing and playing throughout. Infectious tunes and the first Phish studio album that made me think Trey is a better vocalist now than he was back in the 90's when his guitar playing featured way more notes in the jams.

 

Junta, Picture of Nectar and Billy Breathes would be my suggestions.

 

Junta
Rift
Fuego

 

Oh man, you got me at the right time. Just saw this. I am the rare major Phish fan who loves many studio releases. I say:

Junta
Billy Breathes
Round Room

 

I apparently need to revisit Fuego

 

“Demand” is fantastic. I also love the studio version of “Julius.”

 

Another vote for "Rift." It was my entry point for Phish and I recall being surprised at discovering this "new" band and how much I enjoyed every song.

 

A Picture of Nectar was my starting point and remains a favorite. I absolutely love the loose off-the-cuff vibe of Round Room.... and the songs are terrific.