Can't agree with your overall assessment. I thought the whole was greater than the parts last night. The song selection, and subsequent performances (It's Ice and Mound come to mind), created great flow last night. Combined with the energy of an edgy and exhuberant crowd, it became a real winner. No it wasn't perfect, and that's clear to anyone, but it was great fun, they took some real chances and had a blast doing it, and largely succeeded, I thought. Some hilarious moments such as Trey dancing (can I call it that?) during YEM, the botched talk box with Page and subsequent laughter, all added to the feel of the night. Everyone was smiling through it all. I think that you're a little too obsessed and hung up on Trey's pitch-shifting. He's been on this tack since TAB this past spring. He's after something and I think it will come together. I don't find it offensive. I'd like to see him incorporate some of that nasty distorted growl he had in 2003-04 for some of this stuff (such as Walls), but I really have no complaints with the sound or the playing. Phish was NEVER mistake-free even on their best nights; how could they be?
All the above being said (too long, sorry), I agree that this show was not leaps and bounds ahead of the previous three. I personally like the Bangor show for what it was, which was mellow, and find it a very enjoyable relisten. Also loved SOAM on night 2 and parts of the 2nd set that night.
Thanks for the review....keep it comin' guys, for a bunch of egomaniacs I think you're pretty cool.