Widespread Panic - "Free Somehow"
Issue date: 3/5/08 Section: The Edge
Widespread Panic is one of those bands that has been around for quite a while - since the mid-'80s - and has kept a relatively low profile. The band has slid by just under the radar throughout its entire career, even though it has been able to survive and thrive successfully many, many years doing shows, traveling on tours and releasing a slew of albums.
The group's latest album, "Free Somehow," is just another album to toss on the CD pile, as many rock listeners most likely have never heard of Widespread Panic before.
This is not to say the group is horrible. Widespread Panic's sound is up to quality with virtually any casual, not-quite-famous rock band. The music sounds close to something you would expect it to sound like, and that may be the band's curse. It has no real, resounding, thundering name recognition or song that echoes throughout mainstream culture. It's a mildly successful, yet mediocre, Southern group.
If anything, "Free Somehow" is decent background music. It's something nice to play while one does homework, laundry, sock-folding or what have you. The album itself has a little variety in terms of the pacing of the songs and different beats. Some tracks sound like your run-of-the-mill rock music while others have a hint of Jimmy Buffet style woven in.
On the plus side, the lyrics on all the tracks are not too shabby when audible. They are not poorly written nor do they sound stupid and unintelligible like many mainstream rock bands. Unfortunately, this may be the only dominating factor of the album, and ultimately, how many people listen to a song for its lyrics? The confusion of inherent patriotism with Bruce Springsteen's sarcastic "Born in the U.S.A." is one of the many songs that can provide an answer for this: not many.
The best track on the entire album has to be one entitled "Flicker." Out of all of the 11 songs, this one is the most distinct and enticing to listen to. It has a great percussion opening that really gets the adrenaline pumping and amplifies the anticipation for the edginess that follows suit.
Otherwise, "Free Somehow" by Widespread Panic is nothing notable. It will fall back into obscurity with the rest of the band's CDs - buried, hidden and ignored by more widespread music culture. This is probably why it came out in a week where very few anticipated albums and collections were released.
-Scott Waldyn
courier staff
The group's latest album, "Free Somehow," is just another album to toss on the CD pile, as many rock listeners most likely have never heard of Widespread Panic before.
This is not to say the group is horrible. Widespread Panic's sound is up to quality with virtually any casual, not-quite-famous rock band. The music sounds close to something you would expect it to sound like, and that may be the band's curse. It has no real, resounding, thundering name recognition or song that echoes throughout mainstream culture. It's a mildly successful, yet mediocre, Southern group.
If anything, "Free Somehow" is decent background music. It's something nice to play while one does homework, laundry, sock-folding or what have you. The album itself has a little variety in terms of the pacing of the songs and different beats. Some tracks sound like your run-of-the-mill rock music while others have a hint of Jimmy Buffet style woven in.
On the plus side, the lyrics on all the tracks are not too shabby when audible. They are not poorly written nor do they sound stupid and unintelligible like many mainstream rock bands. Unfortunately, this may be the only dominating factor of the album, and ultimately, how many people listen to a song for its lyrics? The confusion of inherent patriotism with Bruce Springsteen's sarcastic "Born in the U.S.A." is one of the many songs that can provide an answer for this: not many.
The best track on the entire album has to be one entitled "Flicker." Out of all of the 11 songs, this one is the most distinct and enticing to listen to. It has a great percussion opening that really gets the adrenaline pumping and amplifies the anticipation for the edginess that follows suit.
Otherwise, "Free Somehow" by Widespread Panic is nothing notable. It will fall back into obscurity with the rest of the band's CDs - buried, hidden and ignored by more widespread music culture. This is probably why it came out in a week where very few anticipated albums and collections were released.
-Scott Waldyn
courier staff
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 81
Psieko Activ
posted 3/10/08 @ 1:30 PM CST
You seem to know a bit about Panic however your opinion sucks! Panic is the best band ever but I'm glad there's haters like you out there to keep all the scenesters from jumping on the bandwagon. (Continued…)
Jackie Sucks Ass
posted 3/10/08 @ 1:32 PM CST
Hey Jackeye! I still have your panties :wave
RedEye
posted 3/10/08 @ 1:34 PM CST
have you heard of the Dallas Observer? you're about to get bombed dawg
RosenPain
posted 3/10/08 @ 1:39 PM CST
Not all Widespread Panic fans are racist but we is.
WIU?
posted 3/10/08 @ 1:43 PM CST
I'm guessing from the Best Western banner up top that this is a training school for its employees.
That's the only explanation for such piss poor grammar, style, and form. (Continued…)
Proud WIU Alum
posted 3/10/08 @ 1:46 PM CST
I found a piece of paper in my closet that turned out to be a degree from WIU.
I forgot I even went there.
How much is this thing worth?
JBar
posted 3/10/08 @ 1:52 PM CST
I would guess that a lot more people have heard of Widespread Panic than Western Illinois University or its wannabe newspaper.
Stick to listening to Britney Spears and Linkin Park, Scott, like the rest of the teens in America. (Continued…)
George McConnell
posted 3/10/08 @ 1:53 PM CST
I think the review is spot on. ETA's guitar work was leaps and bounds better than this new release, not to mention beter than any studio release before ETA. (Continued…)
Trouble
posted 3/10/08 @ 1:54 PM CST
Macomb sucks just a little bit more than the album. Both are off the charts in suckitude.
wiusux
FreeSpeechLover
posted 3/10/08 @ 1:56 PM CST
Why is the paper of an institution of higher education censoring non-lewd or offensive opinions????
Fascists!!!!!!
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