Widespread Panic

Widespread Panic are another of the wave of jam bands who let their music flow organically, a la the Grateful Dead, and like the Dead have had a bit of a problem transferring that loose feeling onto disc. That is not to say that Bombs & Butterflies isn't interesting listening, because it is. However, the cuts here mainly sound stiff, whereas in concert, they tend to sound groovy. Only on a cover of a Staples Singers tune do they catch hold of the magic and let loose with a great big bang. "Hope In a Hopeless World" has everything going for it, and while the rest of Bombs & Butterflies is worthy material, one can't help but wonder just what lies ahead for Widespread Panic and their boogie-groovy genre mates. ~ James Chrispell, All Music Guide