Bombs & Butterflies finds
Widespread Panic in the same holding position as
Ain't Life Grand. While the group is becoming more direct in terms of songwriting -- they're actually writing concise pop hooks these days -- they are still love jamming. The result is a record that commits to neither camp, one that alternates between AOR singles and long stretches of jamming. Of course, there are some fine moments, particularly for dedicated fans, but it doesn't quite gel into the breakthrough album
Widespread Panic have always seemed on the verge of delivering. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine