*** Widespread Panic

TIL THE MEDICINE TAKES

(Capricorn)

Widespread Panic are a jam band -- their forte is the live concert and their strengths come through on stage. They were in their element on the live double disc Light Fuse Get Away, but their studio recordings have been much less impressive, boring even. Here, however, they take the sense of adventure that inspires their live sonic explorations and channel it into the composition and production of the songs; the result is their first consistently solid studio recording. Over the course of 12 tracks, drummer Todd Nance takes a shot at vocals (and pulls it off) on "You'll Be Fine," the Dirty Dozen Brass Band give a funky New Orleans flavor to "Christmas Katie," producer John Keane adds catchy banjo to "The Waker," Big Ass Truck's Colin Butler scratches along to the band's concert favorite "Dyin' Man," and Dottie Peoples gives a gospel twist to "All Time Low."

-- Robin A. Rothman