Album Review: Trey Anastasio – “Traveler”

By: Eric Freedlander –

Phish frontman Trey Anastasio takes fans through an eclectic mix of genres on his latest album, Traveler. Anastasio’s ninth album has something for everyone and provides a look into one of the most creative minds in rock and roll.

On Traveler, Anastasio attempts to make the album more of a group production rather than a solo act and you feel as though you’re listening to a new band opposed to merely a vocalist. On the first track “Corona,” Anastasio is joined by a handful of backup singers and a backing band to sing the chorus. In the line, “when the Corona touches the ocean,” everyone joins in as a sense of community within the musicians is formed. Meanwhile, the rest of the song feels like a mellow jam building up to something unique in the chorus.

Known by many as the king of the jam, Trey Anastasio stays close to his roots throughout Traveler. In “Pigtail,” there are various points where he breaks into a jam, as he duels solos with the backing band. It allows us to flashback to Phish, as the two songs could be imagined to be on one of the bands records. Not only is the song a heavy hitter, but when Anastasio sings the first verse, it sounds as though he’s rapping the lyrics making the song really unique as fans are caught off guard by this change in direction.

Since Anastasio experiments with a more upbeat pop sound then in albums past, this album stands out from the previous. He does a cover of the Gorillaz song “Clint Eastwood,” effectively turning it from a rock song to a jazz tune. Anastasio collaborated with incredible vocalist Jennifer Hartswick who goes into a freestyle rap on a few of her verses to give the song a spicier touch. “I ain’t happy, I’m feeling bad, I got sunshine in a bag,” sends chills down your spine as she sings the lyrics with such conviction.

From the big production songs “Corona” and “Pigtail,” to more melodic tunes such as “Frost”, and “Valentine,” there is something for diehard Phish fans and casual listeners to enjoy.

The song that brings the album full circle is the final track “Traveler.” Throughout the track, and especially with the line “If you’re standing still, you’re travelling too,” even if you are doing nothing, you’re still doing something.

Everything seems to click for Anastasio on Traveler, as all 10 tracks flow seamlessly. It’s an excellent story for Anastasio as the opening track “Corona” welcomes you to the show, and “Traveler” concludes the album by reminding us that life is a big journey and to just enjoy it while we can. Anastasio shows us once again why he’s one of the most influential rock and roll artists in the business today with this truly brilliant album.

Essential Tracks: “Corona,” “Pigtail,” and “Clint Eastwood.”