Don't Tell the Band

Of all the acts favored by smelly trust-fund kids, Widespread Panic are by far the most palatable, and their latest shows why. Unlike most noodle-rockers, Widespread rarely confuse instrumental wizardry with actual song craft. Sure, they can play, but even on minor epics like “This Part of Town” and “Casa del Grillo,” they never shove their expertise down our throats. “You gotta see ’em live,” some fans will complain, but at least Widespread Panic knows albums aren’t just for sorting stems and seeds.