Overstep (album)
# Overstep (album)

Professional ratings :

| Review scores ||
| - | - |
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic | |
| Consequence of Sound | C+ |

Overstep is Phish bassist Mike Gordon’s fourth solo studio album, following Moss, The Green Sparrow, and Inside In. It was released on February 25, 2014 on Megaplum/ATO Records.

During a series of writing retreats in New England, Gordon and Scott Murawski collaborated on the songwriting for Overstep. For this album, Gordon entrusted the production to Paul Q. Kolderie (known for his work with Radiohead, Uncle Tupelo, and Pixies) and enlisted new musicians, such as drummer Matt Chamberlain (recognised for his work with Jon Brion and Fiona Apple). The album commences with "Ether", where distant industrial sounds gradually transition into lush guitars and harmonious vocals. Another track, "Jumping", presents a rhythmic puzzle box, encapsulating a cascade of thoughts unfolding within a fleeting 1.5 seconds. Phish fans may already be acquainted with "Yarmouth Road", a catchy reggae-inspired track that debuted alongside "Say Something" during the band's Summer 2013 tour.

Many of the songs on Overstep possess the potential for captivating live performances, particularly two immersive grooves that can shake the foundations of a venue. "Tiny Little World" starts with a gentle contemplation of an intriguing woman in a coffee shop but quickly transforms into pulsating boogie as desire and bravado take over. The enticement to dance continues in "Face", propelled by Chamberlain's understated yet undeniable pocket.

Furthermore, the songs on Overstep demonstrate Gordon's ability to develop multidimensional characters and speak directly to the essence of their experiences. While metaphors and open-ended interpretations remain prevalent, listeners may discover a deeper connection to the human portraits depicted in tracks like "Say Something" and "Paint" compared to Gordon's previous albums. Nevertheless, Gordon continues to embrace absurdity, both conceptually and musically, as he has consistently done throughout his career.

## Track listing

All songs written by Mike Gordon and Scott Murawski.

* "Ether" (6:18)
* "Tiny Little World" (4:50)
* "Jumping" (3:28)
* "Yarmouth Road" (4:41)
* "Say Something" (3:57)
* "Face" (5:08)
* "Paint" (3:34)
* "Different World" (4:05)
* "Peel" (5:03)
* "Long Black Line" (3:33)
* "Surface" (4:43)

## Personnel

### Musicians

* Mike Gordon
* Scott Murawski
* Matt Chamberlain
* Robert Walter
* Tom Cleary
* Brett Lanier

### Production

* Produced and engineered by Paul Q. Kolderie
* Mastered by Fred Kevorkian
* Photography & Design by Chuck Anderson (No Pattern)
* Art Direction & Layout Design by Julia Mordaunt
