Search - Widespread Panic :: Don't Tell the Band [Digipak]

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..."