So you’re not a fan. Cool. Life goes on.

Ah, just giving ya’ll a hard time, but honestly the success of this band baffles me. Is there something about living in the South that makes two-guitar blues rock sound innovative? I just don’t hear it. Living in Wisconsin I don’t have to confront Spreadnecks too much, but I distinctly my first time traveling to southern festivals — Bonnaroo and Langerado — and being absolutely confounded by the incredible appeal of this band. I’ve still seen Widespread Panic about five times — just not sure why.

But after giving this album several more thoughtful listens, I realized that I like what I didn’t expect to like, and not so much what I expected to like. Boom Boom Boom, the opening track, continues to thrive in my mind, and is the song I’m most excited to hear live, along with Walk on the Flood and Three Candles.

The album is true to itself and true to the feelings of present. If 2008 says we rock it, then we rock it. Nothing has ever been forced with Panic, and that is their greatest attribute.

Thanks for the thoughtful article.

I’ve been seeing Panic since ‘92 [HORDE Tour, with Phish, Blues Traveler, Spin Doctors and ARU. Now that was a day, but I digress.].

I don’t know of another band that has dealt with as serious a blow as they have and yet continued to grow and challenge themselves.

As the years rolled on, I became a bigger and bigger fan. They’re shows have a fantastic flow to them, and as has been noted already, the song writing of Michael Houser has stood the test of time well.

I’ll be a heretic and say that I enjoyed the George period quite a bit. One of his tunes, Doreatha, is one of my all-time favorite songs to hear Panic do. That said, I do think that Jimmy has the potential to take them to the next level.

I’m looking forward to two nights of Panic in NYC in April.

As far as live shows go, I think Jimmy is great on the songs he’s been a part of bringing to the band. He knows them. He shreds them. Developing the feel and touch they had back in the late 90’s up through 07/02/02, will take just as long for them develop with Jimmy.

They have always had quality songs. JB’s lyrics have always delivered for me, and many others. I haven’t listened to this album enough, but I’m sure there are some gems on it. There always is.

Panic is in their own time and place. I’m just glad they are still touring and writing music. They’ve inspired me in many ways, for a long time. I trust them. They’ve allowed taping. I can always go visit different moments in their history, and for that I’m grateful.

Having been a die-hard follower the past 15 years, I’m not sure what to make of the new album. Jimmy Herring is a superb guitarist, but I think the jury is still very much out as to exactly how he fits into the band’s sound.

This album is a huge departure from their previous studio work, in my eyes. Very mature and polished, but I’m not sure how much soul and inspiration went into the songwriting. Tentative with few hooks. Still, there are some few really good numbers: “Up all Night,” “Angels on High,” and “Tickle the Truth” are excellent songs.

This is no slam on Jimmy whatsoever, but I believe Mikey Houser’s greatness becomes more apparent as time passes. He was a master of nuance and distinctive songwriting. I don’t think Panic will ever be as great or as tight without him as they were with him — both live and in studio.

That said, I’m thankful they’re still playing and I’ll always support them no matter what. Their live stuff can be very loose, with Jimmy missing changes and whatnot. And it’ll take a long time for him (or anyone, for that matter) to master the subtleties and the texture that made Mikey great.

But it’s still great music and a great time.

So Dave is a fan and sounds a little biased — any seasoned vets in the room care to share their thoughts?