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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars
Uneven,
By JD (Denver, CO) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Free Somehow (Audio CD)
The album gains appeal when you listen in terms of each song's 'live' possibilities, but on it's own comes across as uneven. 'Boom Boom Boom' has an excellent groove drowned out by a banal, insipid chorus. 'Walk on the Flood' is powerful musically but fails to connect from a songwriting standpoint. The band hits disappointing lows with 'Tickle the Truth'--a lyrically and musically cumbersome wreck--and 'Already Fried', another of lead singer John Bell's 30's-era lounge numbers that feels like nothing more than filler. On the bright side, 'Flicker' is a polished rock tour de force, and the title track shines with elegance from JB and Jimmy Herring. The best of the bunch is "Angels on High", a neo-soul shimmy that has JB channeling his inner Al Green. Sounds great on the record and should be a real crowd pleaser in the live setting as well...Free Somehow, like their last effort Earth to America, suffers from overwrought production, particularly the use of horns that sound canned and midi-produced at best and like misplaced Kenny G solos at worst. Memo to Panic and E2A/Free Somehow producer Terry Manning: If longtime collaborators the Dirty Dozen Brass Band are not available, do your listeners a favor and ditch the horns.
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
This album gets better after each listen,
By
This review is from: Free Somehow (Audio CD)
While still adjusting to Terry Manning's level of production (John Keane, the old producer was more stripped down), I really like the direction the band is heading. While I'm not a huge fan of the Boom Boom Boom chorus, I see the song being a hit live...a setting in which Panic is amazing. Walk on the Flood is a powerful, driven tune and is followed up by a jazz infused Steely Dan flavored track called Angels on High. Three Candles is a song that seems to carry on the tradition of late guitarist and founding member Michael Houser. Tickle the Truth and Free Somehow show JB at his finest, one of the best yet relatively unkown Rock n Roll frontmen in the business. Flicker is another rocker that showcases Jimmy Herring's guitar prowess. Dark Day Program might be my favorite tune on the album as it is haunting and emotional. Her Dance Needs No Body is another great track, heavily layered, full of energy, and likely to become a fan favorite. Already Fried makes me want to eat Fried Chicken and listen to Tom Waits. Don't ask me why. Up all Night finishes of the album, with Al Green's backup singers and a solid horn section providing the backdrop for an easy going, more radio friendly song. The final chapter in a tremendous overall effort. I wish half the acts that walked away with Grammys last week were as talented and down to earth as these guys.....
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Widespread Panic Revisited,
By
This review is from: Free Somehow (Audio CD)
After the last couple of releases featuring George McConnell on lead guitar I felt that while still worth listening to, Widespread Panic's best days were way over with the passing of Houser. Free Somehow has me rethinking that notion. I didn't really expect much from Free Somehow, but I am pleasantly surprised. This album/cd is full of the original trademark WP sound. Jimmy Herring starts his tenure with WP where Micheal Houser left off and the band seems rejuvenated. It seemed at times on Earth To America that they were just going through the motions. There are many high points and surprises with few low points. I do ,however think that Boom, Boom, Boom is one of my least favorite WP songs ever, which is why the four-star rating. I have listened to this cd non-stop since Tuesday and keep thinking about how great it will be to hear these songs worked live this summer. A must for anyone even slightly interested in serious music.
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