Yeah bat out of hell was definitely a formula that needed all the ingredients to work. Meatloaf solo, was not great. Stienman and Rundgren even tried on their own with “Bad for good” and it was better than most of Meatloaf’s solo albums but it was still not on the level of Bat.

George would have liked the good phish studio albums fine enough but like the Dead I dont think he’d have scored any of them higher than a 12. But then, neither would I for that matter. both bands are examples of how scoring systems and critical approaches like he took can be flawed and not account for everything that makes a band worthwhile. But then, do I expect him, or any professional critic for that matter, to listen to a hundred gazillion live performances in order to “get it”? no of course not. Those arent albums anyway and he doesnt have time to devote weeks/mnonths of listening to one artist when he wants to review other stuff too.

there’s a definite connection between any obessive internet activity and mental problems, web reviewing just happens to be one of the activities we’re all familiar with around these parts.