It's not Phish. It's not even close. But Mike Gordon [ tickets ]'s post-Phish musical trip continues to grow more interesting by the minute.

The former Phish bassist has again collaborated with gifted acoustic guitarist Leo Kottke [ tickets ] for "Sixty Six Steps." This album, by just about every measure, is a better ride than the duo's solid debut, 2002's "Clone."

The most immediate improvement is that "Sixty Six Steps" is more fun than "Clone." Gordon and Kottke sound like they are having a blast as they cook through such clever covers as Fleetwood Mac's "Oh Well" (which is sung by Kottke) and Aerosmith's "Sweet Emotion" (vocals by Gordon). Of course, the best--and most highly anticipated--cover on the album is the duo's sensational take on the Phish concert gem "Ya Mar."

Equally significant, the duo's playing seems more cohesive and assured than on the first record. With "Clone," Gordon and Kottke often sounded like they were trying to find middle ground, which makes sense given their varied musical backgrounds. "Sixty Six Steps," on the other hand, feels like the work of two comfortable, intuitive players who are already starting to stretch their limits.