While large parts of their generation were trashing blues-based rock and searching for alternatives, Georgia's Widespread Panic eagerly picked up where the Dead and a generation of other improv-driven musicians left off. B... more »ut that sense was hardly reactionary; indeed, WP's musical utopianism seems to have gleaned as much from alt-rock as the Allmans, infusing this 2001 collection with a bracing sense of adventure. Their seventh album encompasses the stylistic diversity longtime fans have come to expect, with that diversity now underscored by the walloping hard-rock edge on "Give," "Imitation Leather Shoes," and "Action Man." With vocalist John Bell's expressive, character-rich voice evoking spirits as diverse as Steve Miller, James Hetfield, and Eddie Vedder, the band's tales of jaundiced romance and bleary-eyed life are ensconced in dreamy piano ballads ("This Part of Town"), neo-psych funk ("Thought Sausage"), and even rootsy Nashville-meets-Memphis novelty ("Big Wooly Mammoth"). Tellingly, WP infuse their cover of alt-rock pioneers Firehose's "Sometimes" with an infectious, Miller-esque pop groove that further highlights their sense of musical team play. --Jerry McCulley« less
While large parts of their generation were trashing blues-based rock and searching for alternatives, Georgia's Widespread Panic eagerly picked up where the Dead and a generation of other improv-driven musicians left off. But that sense was hardly reactionary; indeed, WP's musical utopianism seems to have gleaned as much from alt-rock as the Allmans, infusing this 2001 collection with a bracing sense of adventure. Their seventh album encompasses the stylistic diversity longtime fans have come to expect, with that diversity now underscored by the walloping hard-rock edge on "Give," "Imitation Leather Shoes," and "Action Man." With vocalist John Bell's expressive, character-rich voice evoking spirits as diverse as Steve Miller, James Hetfield, and Eddie Vedder, the band's tales of jaundiced romance and bleary-eyed life are ensconced in dreamy piano ballads ("This Part of Town"), neo-psych funk ("Thought Sausage"), and even rootsy Nashville-meets-Memphis novelty ("Big Wooly Mammoth"). Tellingly, WP infuse their cover of alt-rock pioneers Firehose's "Sometimes" with an infectious, Miller-esque pop groove that further highlights their sense of musical team play. --Jerry McCulley
Wholly entertaining record from a great rock band.
Bill Allison | Southwest Missouri, United States | 07/20/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Widespread Panic is somewhat of a musical phenomenon. I honestly can't think of another band to compare them too. They are incredibly diverse, covering many different styles of rock, sometimes all within one song. Singer John Bell can sing low, c high, and can even do a Hetfield-like growl. The band have stayed completely true to their sound on every album while bringing something new and a little different to the table each time. Some may call them a "jam-band" but I don't really care. To me, they are just a great rock and roll band. I'm not into the whole classifying thing. On "Don't Tell the Band" WSP deliver twelve great tracks that you can listen to in the order that the cd was intended to be heard. There are no filler tracks here. Not one. Every note seems to fit just where it belongs. I knew from the opening of "Little Lilly" that I was in for one hell of an album. If you liked "Till the Medicine Takes" you will love this one. It's definitely in the same vein. To me, it's like they took the approach that they used on that album and expaned. There are some heart-felt ballads "this part of town" and some good times rock and roll "Action Man". There is also a really great story song called "Old Joe". "Thought Sausage" is a funky bit that displays JB's vocal range even further. I really hope that more people catch on to WSP. When I was fourteen, I had an "Everyday" t-shirt and everyone kept asking me "who the hell is Widespread Panic?" Oh well. Somep people never learn. It's really a shame. Maybe with this release and the tour with Dave Matthews Band, a whole crop of newcomers will find these guys. So get off your PC, pull on some jeans, head on down to the music store, and pick yourself up a copy. Or you could just order one.... Oh yeah, "Till the Medicine Takes" is also highly reccommended in my book.One more thing. This album is also great to listen to if you're taking a road trip through the rural South. It fits the scenery and the atmosphere perfectly."
Good Evolution for a Great Band
Brandon Cook | Decatur, GA United States | 07/12/2001
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Being a Athens-raised Widespread Panic fan from pretty much day one, let me first say that after my first listen I was fairly unimpressed with this album. However, after a few plays my initial disappointment faded quickly. Although this album lacks the seemingly carefree and meandering persona of earlier releases, it does still look, feel, and sound like Widespread. True, the more produced sound does slightly mask the rambling guitar, jangling keyboard, and adventurous percussion fans have come to expect, but they are still there and the end result is tried and true Panic with a slightly more produced feel. Of course lyrically, as always, this album shines. All bands of this genre have seen changes of this sort as time goes by (very notably Blues Traveler and, yes, even the Dead). With Don't Tell The Band, the evolution enhances the experience instead of deadens it (i.e. Ballard's effect on Dave Matthews). I highly recommend this album provided you don't go out and buy it expecting nothing more than a rehash of Space Wrangler, et. al. Lastly, the haunting "This Part of Town" shows off the band's talents in a way we have not seen since "Mercy". I'm sure you will enjoy."
Get it now for the bonus live disc
Scott Black | Oakland, California | 06/22/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"don't tell the band sounded fantastic during my first listening. I'm not sure yet whether it genuinely deserves five stars, but I have to give it a good rating to make up for the only review submitted so far, which gave them one star. If you are already a fan of the Panic, you will love it. Their studio versions of songs they've been playing live for about a year capture the energy of their shows surprisingly well. I am biased in that I am a Spreadhead myself, having seen them a dozen or so times in the last eight years. But I would definitely recommend this CD to someone who is thinking about buying their first Panic disc; it is full of good, rockin' songs. The best reason to get it now instead of later is the bonus live disc, which consists of the first half of the 1st set of 4/1/00 Athens, GA (Action Man (1st time ever)> Chilly Water> Pleas> Chilly Water> C.Brown). The live material, which will only be included with the first pressing, sounds better to me than either Light Fuse Get Away or Another Joyous Occasion. It is super-awesome! Those looking for more outstanding WP studio discs should check out Everyday or their self-titled second album, although you can't miss. OK, I'm listening to it for the second time, and actualy I do think it deserves the five stars..."
A keeper from start to finish.
Matthew L Meyer | Northfield, MN United States | 07/13/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
""Don't Tell The Band" was my first venture into the world of Widespread Panic. I purchased the CD just about a week or so before I saw the band live in Milwaukee. Ever since I picked up the disc, it has been on constant play in my CD player. I love this disc, it is absolutely incredible. A couple days ago, a friend sent me "Till the Medicine Takes" and I had my first chance to compare two of WSP's studio albums. I remember seeing a review of this disc that had stated that this is terrible compared to the old studio stuff. I disagree, this disc absolutely blows away the other. The disc is perfect for your car or in the background at work since it's one of my few CD's that I can start and just let play through the end of the disc since every song is wonderful.If you've never heard WSP before and are interested in getting a disc, this is the one. Absolutely incredible and powerful, you won't regret it!"
Make sure you get the bonus live CD
kireviewer | Sunnyvale, Ca United States | 10/09/2001
(4 out of 5 stars)
"The version of this album that I bought contained an unadvertised bonus live CD. I don't know if all versions of this album have this bonus live CD. There is another version of this album that does specifically list the extra live disc. You should get that one instead of this one to be sure you get the live CD.The live CD is 26 minutes long and is a pretty good representation of how good the group sounds in concert. The music is fantastic, except for a horrible piano solo in the middle of track 3. When used as a rhythm instrument, the keyboards do add some depth to the songs. But, the keyboard solos can be pathetic. This one is on a par with Chopsticks.The studio album is fairly typical, some great songs and some bad ones. Widespread Panic hasn't put out a perfect studio album since the first two."