Customer Reviews

Earth to America (Dig)

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

As a music critic, I am expected to have an opinion about everything. In theory, that is all well and good, but what am I to do when I listen to something, like it, but can't quite put my finger on why? Every now and then, can't I be impressed or entertained without trying to put into words the various reasons I feel this way? "Earth to America," the new disk by Widespread Panic puts me in this semi-awkward position. I like this disk a lot, but it's hard to say exactly why it appeals to me. My main reason for hesitation is that I don't feel particularly qualified to spew out my impressions; Although they have been around since the late `80s, this disk marks my introduction to Widespread Panic. Now, don't get me wrong, I've heard of them, but I never heard anything on the radio, and I don't know anybody who listens to them. I only had my own impressions to go by, and I presumed them to be a third generation jam band, which is a genre that usually bores me.
Now that I hear them, I realize that this was an absurd oversight on my part. Approximately fifteen CD's by Widespread Panic, and I never heard any of them? What makes this even more ridiculous is that they suit the tastes of my own musical profile. I've always been a fan of Americana, especially the southern variety, and I love good guitar playing. I also love a band that understands the nuances of interplay, and knows how to utilize exotic instrumentation without sounding ostentatious. Furthermore, they don't `noodle'. Their songs are well-constructed, with good melodies and intriguing lyrics. The interplay of guitar, keyboards and horn charts, all layered over an impressively tight rhythm section, is nearly faultless, with no signs of overplaying or excess.
Second Skin" opens the album, and yes, it is eleven minutes long, but it's a beautiful eleven minutes, and necessary for the song to convey the expansive melody. If this song were thirty-one minutes long, I would not complain. Their version of Bob Dylan's "Solid Rock" is faithful to the original, with a slightly harder rhythmic edge that pushes the song's lyricism to a harder, more convincing place. "Solid Rock" is also a good way to describe the band's musicianship, because virtually everything on "Earth to America" rocks with a solid confidence that only comes with experience. In the dual lead-guitar interplay and tasty keyboard work, you can hear traces of their southern-rock influences. "From the Cradle," "May Your Glass Be Filled" and even the acoustic-based "Ribs and Whiskey" hint toward the arrangement ideas of classic Allman Brothers Band and Lynyrd Skynyrd, without sounding derivative of either.
So, these guys have about fifteen other albums, huh? I guess I have some catching up to do. At least I know what to think about them now, and I suppose it's better late than never. A- Tom Ryan

Being the Spread-Head as I am, I can say that this album just goes to show that Panic can still make some great music. For those of you who don't listen to or have only heard once, then this album probably isn't for you. I suggest purchasing one of their earlier albums such as their self-entitled one, Space Wrangler, or Ain't Life Grand. Some of the highlights in this album are:

"Solid Rock" -- 8/10
"Second Skin" -- 8.5/10
"Time Zones" -- 9/10
"Good People" -- 8/10


And for those of you who took the time to rate this album one star as well as write a horrible review, I feel sorry for you. You obviously don't like good music and should go listen to some emo. The instrumental ability of each Panic member is unparalleled and should none of their music deserves below three stars.

I am very impressed by this album. This album doesn't disappoint. Not a bad song in the bunch.

The songs on this CD all fit together and it just flows better from start to end than their past two efforts, Ball and Don't Tell the Band. On those albums it seams like they were trying to take a Ben Harper approach, trying to make a lot of songs from different genres and styles fit together. This one is nearly seamless, starting with "Second Skin" and ending some sixty-five minutes later with "May Your Glass Be Filled." At first, I thought the album was short, but now I think it's a perfect length because the songs just blend so well together that time slips by as you listen to it.

The funk fest is led by "Second Skin", "Time Zones", and "You Should be Glad" with the trippy "When the Clowns Come Home" helping too.

But I think the song that deserves some attention is "From the Cradle." The lyrics drive the song, and JB sounds great. The build-up from the beginning until the end of the song is amazing, and I love the irony of how the tempo builds as JB whispers and then later screams "keep your voice down." Who can't enjoy a line like: "As stable as a drunk on shaky ground"?

My only complaint is that I'm a bit disappointed with the different version of Goodpeople, and I wish JoJo was still singing and leading the song.

The horns are great on this album, the strings don't bother me and fit well. The album has a good balance between upbeat funk-sway and a lyrics driven sound.

The acoustic style on Ribs and Whiskey is a surprisingly welcome change and JB squeaks out the lyrics, really getting into character.

If you're ready to give up on this album, give it another chance. Personally, I'm having a hard time listening to anything else.

As a long-time fan of WSP, I was looking forward to the new CD, especially after having heard the excellent "Second Skin". Said song gave me hope that George McConnell's slide guitar work would be present throughout the CD.

While listening to the CD, I concluded that, while it seemed to represent somewhat of a return to WSP's early days - stripped down, southern rock - it lacked the "knockout blow" of such truly great WSP CDs as "Space Wrangler", "Everyday" or Til The Medicine Takes" (their best, in my opinion). While it started with a bang with "Second Skin", it sort of trailed off as the CD progressed, ultimately ending in a whimper, so much so that I was left wishing for more (and better) upon its completion.

Don't get me wrong - this is a good CD, especially of you are a WSP fan. It's just that, in my opinion, it rates only above "Don't Tell the Band" (their WORST CD, by far) in the WSP collection. It just doesn't excite me like most of their other works.

While George McConnell sounds GREAT live, he still does not stretch out enough in the studio. He was barely audible on "Ball" and his presence is only slightly more conspicuous on this CD. I would have loved to have heard some extended jams on this CD, featuring McConnell's slide work. Had this CD featured more McConnell and more signature WSP jamming, it would have rated much higher in my book. As it was, it was a CD filled with some very good tunes, some decent tunes and some not-so-good tunes which will probably sound MUCH better live.

This album is a welcome entry by WSP because it can appeal to a broader base of fans. It is very accessible. In numerous interviews it is clear that their intention with this album was to branch out beyond their core fans. Having seen them like 10 times (and that's nothing compared to some SpreadHeads), I LOVE them live. However a band cannot just keep touring endlessly without putting some fresh material. I have always preferred listening to their studio cds. This album has a social sensibility as well Great album for the unitiated Panic fan.

ETA is a solid although not spectacular album by WSP. I say that while comparing it to their classic albums like Space Wrangler and Everyday. The album has some really solid moments and is yet another progression. WSP is such an underrated band....or perhaps underappreciated. Their real popularity is illustrated through solid ticket sales around the US year-after-year. The standout tracks are Second Skin(terrific jam), Goodpeople(groovin' track w/classic change in direction in the middle), From The Cradle, Time Zones(great beach/island sounding song). If you like WSP you'll like the disc. If you don't like WSP this album probably won't change your opinion. The one thing I really would have liked to see is more lead guitar solos from George McConnell. His talents are always on display during the live shows. For whatever reason he's relegated to rhythym guitar and slide solos. They're good. But I would have liked to hear more ripping solos. Good album.....solid by their standards but not in the upper echelon of Panic classics.

As a big fan of WSP, I was anxiously awaiting the release of this CD. Like another reviewer, I was slightly disappointed because I too had heard "Second Skin" and thought it was a fantastic song. Don't get me wrong, this CD still gets four stars because it's a very good effort by an incredibly talented band. A few songs on this disc are almost genius. Second Skin, Good People, Time Zones and You Should Be Glad are all excellent songs with interesting melody, lyrics and instrumentation. They also groove like crazy. But many of the other songs don't live up to the hype. They are average WSP at best. I don't hear enought guitar solos from George McConnell and I think the CD is a little short at 10 songs. I would not rank this CD against other WSP as low another reviewer did (putting it just above Don't Tell The Band"). I think Till The Medicine Takes and Bombs and Butterflies are better CD's, but this one is in the top 5. At any rate, you certainly want to have this disc in your collection if you are a WSP fan or just like good rock music. If you are looking to try out WSP, try one of the studio CD's I mentioned above, or try any of their live releases. They truly are a great live band.

Loved the music, Will be buying more of the Band again' Widespreadpanic, they are a easy listening band, Almost a Comparison to The Late Great Lyn rd Sknyrd ,

I've seen widespead live countless times and they are without a doubt one of my most favorite bands to see at festivals. They jam out with the best of them and seriously melt my face every time i see them. The only studio offering I've ever listened to by panic was ball which was also an incredible album but not on this level. This just blew me away. It took about two listens and I am in love. Nearly every song is very catchy and addictive and this just takes someplace a lot of albums dont. Hard to describe but I just get such a joyful feeling listening to this. I swear in some songs you would think your listening to a live show. Very good album and Highly recommended, Long live the Panic!

I had never heard of Widespread Panic, until I picked up the local radio station's (Chicago WXRT) Christmas charity offering, OnXRT vol. 11, which contains an exclusive live performance of Time Zones. I immediately began searching Amazon for their music and settled on this album as my entry into their music world.

I've seen reviews that say they sound like no one else. I have to differ. The lead singer reminds me of Jefferson Starship's Marty Balin and the band reminds me very much of JS's mid 70s album, Spitfire. Same "groovy" sound. If you played this for me back in 1979, I would have thought it was JS's next album.

I love the opening track "Second Skin" and "Time Zones". On several tracks John Bell seems to overreach and at times the band seems to lose focus, but it is not for very long and never seems to lose me on a song. An album I can see putting on at work and letting play all the way through, which with my iPod on shuffle, I do very seldom these days. Just makes me feel good while listening. Good upbeat music.

Worth a listen to for any fan of 70s psychedlic music. And definitely different than other bands of today.