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Widespread Panic: Til The Medicine Takes (Capricorn)
If the group was aiming to put some distance between itself and the pack of Rusted-Matthews droners, Til The Medicine Takes
succeeds with the most concise musical statement since 1994's Ain't Life Grand. "Surprise Valley" opens with a solid (and, at five
minutes, comparatively short) tune that showcases everyone's strong chops. A loose, rhythmic intro features guitar lines that are a
seamless blend of Garcia and Allman. Unfortunately, no matter how earnest (or monotonous) John Bell's lyrics and delivery are, they still come off as a disposable
afterthought.
Changing the pace, both "Blue Indian" and "Christmas Katie" have a lazy retro feel, the former sounding like electrified Leon Redbone. Adding a banjo, the rolling "The Waker" sounds like Simon & Garfunkel meets John Hartford with a tasty Ventures guitar lead. In terms of writing, "You'll Be Fine" makes for the best cut, a Gram Parsons-styled tune with sweet harmonies that out-countrys any of the Wilco crew.
Like WP's version of "Happy Trails," "Nobody's Loss" closes with the band drifting slowly into the sunset on an acoustic-based country ballad. Who knows, perhaps Widespread Panic will light a fire under the depressed "No Depression" genre.
- Launch
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Widespread Panic: Til The Medicine Takes (Capricorn)
It seems like only yesterday, but Widespread Panic now ranks as one of the elder statesman (along with Phish) of the still-burgeoning
jam band movement. Founded in the early '80s (a generation or two in rock music years) in Athens, Ga., the band has set standards
that have proven tough to match. Sure, they're long-winded--but this sextet plays better and rocks harder (and longer) than virtually all
of their younger peers.
