Feel the Panic

Although Widespread Panic may be known as a jam band, Free Somehow shows that its sound is still developing even as the band moves into its 10th album.
Widespread Panic was formed in 1985 in Athens, Georgia. Despite having never received much commercial attention, it is a renowned live band, often grossing in the top 50 in the U.S. for live acts.
The CD starts off with the fast-paced, upbeat “Boom Boom Boom.” With its boogie rhythm and grinding chorus, this track makes a good rocker to start things off. The interesting “Tickle The Truth” sounds like it came right out of the ’60s until it picks up the pace with lead guitarist Jimmy Herring playing a mind-blowing Yngwie Malmsteen-esque guitar solo.
Another shining moment on Somehow Free is the drifting “Dark Day Program.” Lead singer John Bell lets his voice shine, crooning one minute and evocatively howling the next.
The oldies-sounding “Up All Night” has a ’70s-soul sound with horns blaring to a rocking beat. At one point in the song, keyboard player John “Jojo” Hermann plays a great honky-tonk piano that fits in with the old school motif of the song.
The majority of the album is dominated by Bell and Herring’s talented vocals and guitar, respectively. Bell shows strong vocal ability, capable of aggressive vocalizing on tracks such as “Boom Boom Boom” while showing off his vocal range on soft tunes such as the title track “Free Somehow.”
Herring’s fine lead guitar playing is evident all over the disc. Songs like “Tickle The Truth,” “Free Somehow” and “Her Dance Needs No Body” display his soloing ability.
Where the first half of the album has mostly upbeat songs with grinding guitars and loud blaring horns, the second half takes a different turn. Many of the songs on the latter half of the album are low-key ballads, a stark contrast to the up-tempo rock beats that comprise the first half of the recording. Widespread Panic’s reputation as a jam band may always stay with it, but Free Somehow shows that the group has enough depth to transcend the genre.