A Picture of Nectar - Critical Reception

Critical Reception

Allmusic staff writer Jim Smith gave the album four and a half stars out of five, noting the variety of musical genres explored on the album and calling it "a surprisingly tight record for a band that built its reputation on endless concert jams". Music writer and historian Piero Scaruffi wrote that "The album enhances the eclectic style of the group... What kept Phish from acid-rock of the 60's was the 'classical' touch, the clean sound, and the impeccable musical patterns. The spirit was not one of hippies but of polished performers." He went on to include the album at thirteenth place on his list of best progressive rock albums of all time.

In an April 2, 1992 review, Billboard magazine raved that A Picture of Nectar "...should be required on all college listening lists. The songs are all over the place from whacked-out rock to bluegrass to jazz. The constant is the high quality of musicianship and spirit that runs from track to track."