Sometimes I get the feeling that Widespread Panic is actually a country band in disguise. For years, it has posed as a rock ‘n roll band, but at the same time, it gives small clues that suggest its true nature is country. It’s all a big hoax, and it continues on its new album “Ball.”

Whether the band realizes it or not, songs like “Papa Johnny Road,” “Counting Train Cars” and “Travelin’ Man” signify a country band.

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Whether it’s the guitar work and voice of John Bell or the band’s lyrics, “Ball” has country written all over it. With the exception of a few songs, “Ball” possesses a different style. “Thin Air (Smells like Mississippi),” with its Latin beat and short jam section, is the most upbeat tune on the record.

Lyrically, the album fails to produce anything incredibly original. The song “Travelin’ Man” feels like it was written 100 times before by previous artists.

“Wanna keep my eyes on the road/ Wanna carry my life in a bag/ Like to live in a hotel room/ Wanna be a travelin’ man.”

For more lyrics, see 90 percent of all southern rock songs ever written.

The album’s core is the eight-minute monster “Nebulous.” The track has a blues feel to it, and it slowly molds into a slow, mellow jam that is perfect to relax to. Unfortunately, like the rest of the album, it lacks originality.

The majority of the music on “Ball” has been played before. Not every album a band makes has to be original, but given Widespread Panic’s status and experience in the music industry, it’s about time it experimented a little.

When the last song on the album “Travelin’ Man” ends, don’t turn off the CD; there’s a 10 minute hidden track that follows. It’s a strange instrumental tune with a tribal feel. It’s a nice way to end a mediocre album like this one.

Widespread Panic fans will enjoy “Ball” no more than they enjoy any of the band’s other albums, and probably a little less considering it’s the band’s first album without guitarist Michael Houser. Only true fans will be able to decide if newcomer George McConnell is a worthy replacement. But I suppose that will be determined on the road.