Ball

Widespread Panic | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 15, 2003)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sanctuary Records
• ASIN: B00008WT66
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  DVD Audio  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (30 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #136,058 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Fishing

2. Thin Air (Smells Like Mississippi)

3. Tortured Artist

4. Papa Johnny Road

5. Sparks Fly

6. Counting Train Cars

7. Don't Wanna Loose You

8. Longer Look

9. Meeting of the Waters

10. Nebulous

11. Monstrosity

12. Time Waits

13. Travelin' Man

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Widespread Panic's eighth album is a rather grave and ponderous affair. Filled with hippie homilies and philosophical ruminations, it sounds more like Jefferson Airplane circa After Bathing At Baxter's than the Allman Brothers, with whom Panic is most often compared. They do include a few of their muscular jazz-tinged rambles, but more often they're intent on documenting their search for meaning. They every right to try to figure things out after the 2002 death of founding guitarist Michael Houser. His absence affected their sound--Houser's intricate guitar solos were integral--as well as how they recorded the album. Rather than road testing these songs, they went straight into the studio, which resulted in a more strident sound for the band. Panic is a band in transition, attempting to regain its equilibrium, soaring to great heights on the extended jam of "Travelin' Man" and "Monstrosity," but also mining classic-rock clichés on "Tortured Artist" and "Papa Johnny Road." --Jaan Uhelszki

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Unchartered Waters, April 27, 2003

By 

Craig Fisher (USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Ball (Audio CD)

On Ball, the boys in WSP head for unchartered waters, recording their first studio album since the passing of the great "lingering lead" guitarist, Mikey Houser. Filling in is the former guitarist for Beanland (JoJo's old band too), and new Panic member, George McConnell. Overall I'd say that the album is very good, promising for the future. Fishing and Papa Johnny Road are two of the best tunes they've cut in years. Longer Look is similarly great, a beautiful acoustic JB number, a unique song in the Panic catalogue. And Travelin' Man, penned by the late Mr. Houser, is a fun and fitting tribute to its author, classic Mikey. JoJo's Don't Wanna Lose You is great too, reminiscent of his solo work with the Smiling Assassins. Also keep your ears out for the hidden track: a 10 minute jam riffing on Thin Air slowed down to about half tempo, great stuff. But... there are some weak songs as well. Specifically, Counting Train Cars, which has some of their worst songwriting on any album, is a real disappointment. Meeting of the Waters is also unfortunate, and Nebulous (great jam not withstanding) and Tortured Artist are both sub-par. While McConnell's presence is a source of great controversy in the Panic community (e.g., is his sound really a good fit for the band?), and there are a lack of interesting leads on this album, there are also some truly great songs, and it is definitely worth overlooking some of Ball's shortcomings to hear the boys do what they do best.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The New Era..., April 20, 2003

By 

Griff (Good Ol' Arkansas, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ball (Audio CD)

OK, so this CD isn't Everyday, but I'm not ready to head to the used CD shop with Ball in hand, either. I've been listening to the guys since the early 90's, and I felt like Panic hit their collective strides around about Bombs or Medicine, excluding, of course any live releases (nothing can compare to any of those).
One of my favorite things about Widespread Panic was always Mikey Houser's guitar sound, and frankly, that sound is gone. But, having accepted that fact, I was able to listen to this with an open mind, or ear. George McConnell is a more than adequate guitarist. I listened to him in his old band, The Kudzu Kings. Give him time to settle in, and and Panic will be churning out 5-star records again.
As far as the songs go, "Fishing" and "Meeting of the Waters" stand out for me, as well as the Houser-penned "Travelin' Man". I'd be hard-pressed to name a song that I genuinely dislike.
All in all, as a long-time Spreadhead, I can honestly say that this disc is a good first step in a new direction for Widespread Panic.

9 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Just my .02, April 15, 2003

By 

david kelley (cumming, ga United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ball (Audio CD)

Of course I bought the new album today and am going through my first official listen to the tunes of the new panic. Ball- very polished, very studio. Not what I was expecting when I heard that they had not played any of these songs live. McConnell shines as does Bell's vocals. When I first heard the songs that Panic leaked out, I was beginning to wonder about the future of the boys. After reviwing their latest CD, I am still sure about what they're about and where they are heading. This CD is unlike most other panic discs due to the length of the CD. It's not your typical Panic 40 minute CD. It is a whole 60 minutes in length, with a bonus. JoJo's piano has taken more of a lead in certain songs, but I like that. I don't hear Dave standing out at all. Again, NOT AT ALL.

1. Fishing... Great song in the same realm of most WP ballads. Has airplay potential.
2. Thin Air... Sounds like Carlos Santana sat in on the writing of this song. Throw in a 60's keyboard and this song was written. All that's missing is the DDBB.
3. Tortured Artist...no opinion yet. This song will have to grow on me. I'm leaving it at that.
4. Papa Johnny Road...Here is southern rock taking over the grooviness that Houser added to the band in earlier releases. "I got a real good mind to beat you senseless"...Not bad though, I'd redo the chorus.
5. Sparks Fly...Sounds like Col. Bruce on Greta. I really like Bell's vocals on this, however be prepared for some Panic fans to not like this one.
6. Counting Train Cars...Kicks should be playing this. Twangy but sometimes twangy is where it's at. Nice story.
7. Don't Wanna Lose You...I have liked this since I first heard it a couple of days ago. Has college radio potential. JoJo on lead, then Bell. McConnell adds exactly what he needs too. Not too much, but his pronounced style is heard throughout the song.
8. Longer Look...Oh yeah...this is what I like about acoustic guitars. WP ballad. Could have been in Houser's solo CD if he had wrote it, same type of style.
9. Meeting of the Waters...hmmmm, make that two songs that have to grow on me. A longer tune from Panic at 6 minutes, but to me, it doesn't seem like it was finished before they recorded it. This song could have been on the Who's "Tommy". McConnell does what he does best in this song.
10. Nebulous...I have to admit I wasn't blown away by this song when I downloaded it the other day. But this version sounds cleaner than what was online. Personally it sounds like something Phish would have put out back during the "Hoist" days. I do like it. It helps that it is a jam-band type song, in other words it's long and groovy.
11. Monstrosity...A modern "Blight"..And it's 4:20 in length. Actually a great Panic song. This one has everything I like about Panic in it.
12. Time Waits...Reminesent of "Christams Katie" but it could just be me. Barstools and Dreamers, very Doors-esque!!!
13. Travelin' Man...written by Houser.
I feel like the people who when you bring up R.E.M., always go "Man, their stuff is good, but nothing compares to early R.E.M. like "Reckoning" or "Murmur".
WP has taken a change of direction either for the better or for worse (you decide), but however you want to feel, there is a song on the new CD that is for you. Just open your mind. I am and always will be a huge panic fan.