With the release of their 10th studio album, Widespread Panic continues their 22 year tradition of creating music that stays true to its foundation while relentlessly evolving with each album, song and note played on the stage. While this is 17th release in the Widespread Panic catalogue, it still manages to offer fans a number of firsts. Unlike previous albums where tracks were 'road-tested' on stage before being laid down in the studio, Free Somehow offers a majority of songs that have yet to make their live debut. This is also the band's first recording with legendary guitarist Jimmy Herring. Widespread Panic recorded Free Some How with producer Terry Manning (Led Zeppelin, Lenny Kravitz, ZZ Top, Al Green) at his renowned Compass Point Studios. Dave Schools hears a bit of Zep in what the band has laid down, commenting, 'Some of the songs really strike me as something you might have heard on Physical Graffiti. They're complex, beautiful, deep, and it rocks. And its got some melancholy and a lot of color.~ Amazon
Seemingly always flying under the radar with their high-energy, consistently sold out live shows, Athens, Georgia's Widespread Panic has released their tenth studio album, Free Somehow. Perhaps not packing as much punch as one of their concerts or to long-time fans not even their best studio effort, this EP is nothing to sleep through. The strong guitars, R&B-sounding power horns and some psychedelia are evident, and the evolution of the band to darker, more introspective lyrics (Her Dance Needs No Body) is prominent. Flicker, Walk on the Flood, and Boom Boom Boom are fierce; long-time fans will recognize the territory. I'm always impressed when well-rooted bands aren't afraid to try something new or approach change; Widespread Panic did both. I think they did it well.
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Widespread Panic: Website :: MySpace :: Bio :: Buy Free Somehow
(Thanks Ellie!)
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