[.ca] Bombs and Butterflies

Once upon a time..:
..Widespread Panic was a group still in the process of finding their own sound and trying to keep the spirit of southern rock & roll alive. Though they hadn't developed into the distinct entity they are today, though their singer had a tendency to sound like Gregg Allman at times, they built a good following on the strength of albums like this. And though they've done better albums since.. Bombs & Butterflies is still a heck of a fun listen. One spin of the opener "Radio Child" should rub out any notion that these guys are an ordinary southern-rock band. And if public opinion hadn't tossed so many jam bands into the "Phish wannabe" pile, WP might be just as well-known right now. There's flat-out rock ("Tall Boy," "Radio Child"), some quiet-but-not-sappy moments ("Glory," "Aunt Avis") even a.. well, happy instrumental ("Happy"). This is an album for sunny spring & summer afternoons, a spirited bunch of tunes that'll make those miles on the highway go by before you notice. Pick this one up if you've already heard Don't Tell the Band and Til the Medicine Takes.. or if you just want something a little more focused than the marathon Light Fuse & Get Away. If you like that southern sound the Allmans do so well, though, any one of them will be just fine.

Grat rock, not enough soul:
Being one on Widesread Panic's earlier releases this album features more of a classic rock theme with more basic chord progressions and arrangements than their more recent releases. Looking back with 20/20 hindsight it is easy to tell that at this point the band hadn't quite come into their pinnacle of songwriting that they have now. Of course, with this album Widespread Panic continues the true rock and roll tradition that seems to be underground at this point. A great album for those who love rock.

• Radio Child
• Aunt Avis
• Tall Boy
• Gradle
• Glory
• Rebirtha
• You Got Yours
• Hope in a Hopeless World
• Happy
• Greta