Widespread Panic keyboard boss John Hermann indulges his true roots fantasies once more on Just Ain’t Right. Recorded with bassist Paul “Crumpy” Edwards and the North Mississippi Allstars’ Cody and Luther Dickinson, this 12-song set ranges from wooly blues-rock to swampy, garage-y roots garage. Hermann’s songs, while they may not be synonymous with craft, more than make up for it with good hooks and crackling energy. They’re big on atmosphere, mangy guitars, popping snares and subtle melodies woven into the riffs and hooks. “Where Do I Begin” is a case in point where distorted bluesy guitars meet a textured psychedelic edge. The Southern strut of “Here Lies Joseline” carries within it a hint of the Widespread Panic rave-up magic as his piano fills and organ flourishes careen over the guitars and drum kit. The sheer greasy funkiness of “Assassination” and “The Invisible Woman” give the album a deeper dimension on the jamming end, and the restless country-soul in “Lonely Child” and “Where’d Ya Go” give listeners an introspective view of Hermann’s songwriting style. – Thom Jurek
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