Panic at the Disco - Pretty. Odd.
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Free Music Notes for Pretty. Odd.
Free Music Review: Pretty.Surprising.
Hit: 5 Stars
If you're reading this, chances are you're not one of this band's fans, but are likely a, shall we say, "more mature" music fan acting on a recommendation or a hunch. My quick tip is that if you like the Beatles, the Beach Boys, ELO, and other '60s and '70s-era orchestrated rock/pop music, you owe it to yourself to get this CD. It might take you a few listens to thank me, but I think you will. I think this is an important album in its own way, a brilliant album, inspired and beautiful. It's become one of my favorite albums.
Let's just say I'm waay outside this band's demographic--I'm 47, a rock musician for 30 years, and I tend to listen to "musician's music." I look for serious musicianship and songwriting, and I usually ignore emo and other teen styles. I can't stand Blink 182, Good Charlotte, Jet or Fall Out Boy. I bought this for my 13-year-old daughter for Christmas after hearing "Nine In the Afternoon" coming out of her room many times, and thinking it sounded pretty cool. I've still never heard their first CD, though I like the single. But since giving Pretty.Odd. a spin to see what the fuss was about, I must admit I am totally blown back by this album. It does walk a fine line between homage and copy-cat, but I guess it doesn't matter to me--I love it. I've been recommending it to all my musician buddies, and they're all loving it too. It's got all the sonic elements of a George Martin-produced mid-late period Beatles album, but with modern recording techniques and equipment. There have been so many "next Beatles" tags thrown out there by the media that I stopped paying attention years ago. All those promises faded into forgettable obscurity. But I think this one might stand the test of time--though unfortunately the band broke up not long after releasing it.
And that's a telling insight into the polarizing nature of this album. Even the band didn't agree on it. There are some haters out there, and they seem to come in two main categories: a) younger fans who can't stand that this isn't part 2 of their first album, and; b) people who think it's too much of a Beatles rip-off. And to be fair, there are plenty of Beatles tropes, from the "Get Back" beat of Pas De Cheval to the "Good Morning" horn section of Mad As Rabbits. The production by Rob Mathes is some of the best I've heard, far beyond a mere George Martin ripoff. Just Google the guy and check out his credits. This is a dude who has written piano arrangements for Ray Charles, cello arrangements for Yo Yo Ma, and vocal arrangements for Luciano Pavarotti, just to name a few. If you love the Beatles and think you might be offended by someone sounding like them, I guess this might not float your boat. But if you love the Beatles I think you've got to at least check this out to see for sure--to me the original sound of this band shines through, giving this album its own unique flavor and flair, but it's a sound you will be instantly comfortable with, like an old pair of Levi's. To my ear the orchestrations here are even more brilliant and well-integrated into the music than Martin's legendary work on Sgt. Pepper and Magical Mystery Tour (both of which I've owned for many years, and am intimately familiar with). If you like an album that's full of well-crafted, evocative songs performed flawlessly, and augmented by visionary orchestral arrangement and production, you're gonna like Pretty.Odd. If you're curious what kind of album George Martin might make today if he had a cutting edge pop band at his disposal, look no further. This is an album full of instantly catchy toe-tapping songs, that also rewards repeated listenings with a ton of intriguing detail. I'm sure I'll still be listening to this one years, even decades from now.
So do yourself a favor, keep an open mind, and pick up a copy of this CD or download it to your Pod. This is a "headphones album," so throw on some good ones, relax and prepare for an experience. From the very first song you'll be transported to a friendly place you might have thought didn't exist any more--a happy, summery place where the colors are psychedelic and the music makes you smile. It's kind of old fashioned, sort of brand new. And all good. You'll be glad you tried it.
Free Music Review: Pretty. Odd. Stunning.
Hit: 5 Stars
Wow, that didn't take long. Panic! At The Disco evolves into the simpler Panic At The Disco and make the creative leap from Seven and the Ragged Tiger to Sgt. Pepper in the span of one album. Being plain old biologically young may have something to do with it, after all, jumping from your garage to touring the world can broaden your horizons fast. But this? From New-wavey emo kids on A Fever You Can't Sweat Out to Sophomore classic pop/rock this quick is pretty darn amazing. And that ambition pays off in spades.
This is, hands down, the best of this genre since the lamented demise of Jellyfish. From the "Penny Lane" horns on the first single "Nine in The Afternoon" to the Faux-Dylan/Byrds "Folking Around," Panic not only shoot for these classic song styles, they hit the mark on just about every song. (Electric Light) Orchestras have mostly supplanted synths, rich Queenly harmonies permeate many tracks, and there are even nods to Big Band and cabaret. As the album closes, the Psychedelic Pop Swirls of "Mad As Rabbits" evoke so many great trippy pop bands from the past that Panic now finds themselves among their ranks.
Much the same way My Chemical Romance jumped the creative chasm when they released the terrific The Black Parade, Panic at the Disco plunder all the best elements of classic rock and pop before putting the pieces back together in their own personal pattern. When multiple Brendon Uries announce at the album opening that "we're still the same band," it's both a declaration and a whopper. They are still Panic At The Disco, the song titles are silly and the lyrics are cheeky (ala Mentors Fall Out Boy's Infinity on High), but they're an older and more expansive bunch, especially given that the members are barely into their 20's. "Pretty. Odd." takes PATD and lifts them beyond the music of their debut and to whole new plateau. I have had this for just a couple of days and can't stop listening. Only three months into 2008 and this is already on my shortlist for best of the year.
Free Music Review: They Still Got It!
Hit: 5 Stars
I'm really rating it 4.5.
I loved Panic's first album, and couldn't wait for their sophomore album to hit stores. I loved it. It is slower than their last album, but that's not a bad thing. Ryan's amazing lyrics are still very sarcastic, and brilliant. Brendon even writes 2 of his own songs.
I've read most of the reviews on here, and I think I know the problem. If you, who are reading this review, are a fan of Panic for their music and smart lyrics than you will love this album. If you are a fan of Panic because they are easy to dance to, hot, and have some pretty catchy lyrics that don't seem to make sense, this album is not for you.
Some things I enjoyed:
I loved how 'We're So Starving' blended into 'Nine in the Afternoon' (much like BIBIYD and IWSNT blended together on their first album.)
I loved It when 'Do You Know What I'm Seeing?' came on, and Ryan's voice accented Brendon's.
I loved 'That Green Gentleman (Things Have Changed)' all together. It's definately a stand out on the album. I love how the title of the album is included in this song as part of the lyrics, and how it fades out at the end.
I LOVE Northern Downpour. It is my favorite song. The lyrics are the most beautiful I have heard in a while--"For diamonds do appear to be more than just broken glass to me". Ryan's voice during the chorus is great.
I love how Ryan is singing. His voice compliments Brendon's amazingly.
I love Pas De Cheval. It's my second favorite song.
I hate the beginning of The Piano Knows Something I Don't Know, but after you get past the bad beginning you have an awesome song. Beautiful lyrics. This one gets stuck in my head the most.
I loved how 'Folkin' Around' isn't as bad as it sounds like it is going to be. In fact it is a pretty good song.
I love 'She Had the World'. It is a great song. I love the line "you could love me if I knew how to lie."
I love how they start 'Mad as Rabbits' off with saxophones, and it reminds me of a classic episode of SNL with The Blues Brothers.
All in all this is a great album. Panic's witty lyrics are still intact. Yes, they remind me of The Beatles, but big deal...The Beatles rock.
This album is a great follow up to A Fever You Can't Sweat Out. No, it's not perfect, but what is? There are a about 2 songs that I want to skip everytime I listen to it, but out of a 15 track CD that's not that bad. Sorry my review was so long. I hope I helped you a little.
Free Music Review: It's the Greatest Thing to Ever Have Happened (to Panic at the Disco)
Hit: 5 Stars
The first time I heard Panic at the Disco's freshman effort, A FEVER YOU CAN'T SWEAT OUT, was when I borrowed it from my younger sister last fall in jokey preparation for a homecoming week stunt that involved my friends and I dressing up in tight pants, My Chemical Romance t-shirts, and black fingernail polish and pretending to be "emos". This should give you an idea of my attitude toward emo music and fashion in general. So unsurprisingly, I was entirely unimpressed by the band's run-of-the-mill punk/pop debut, and when the follow-up PRETTY. ODD. came out earlier this year, I never intended to give it even a first look.
Then I started to hear read snatches of reviews, rumors that Panic at the Disco had performed a perfect 180, abandoning their shoegazing for classic pop. I smiled knowingly to myself, suspecting the usual overwrought praise, but all the same, I was intrigued. At last a friend, a close friend, one whose tastes mirrored mine, one with whom I had lampooned Panic at the Disco and their ilk, began extolling the album's virtues to me. I couldn't believe my ears: I had to hear this record. And once I had, I could believe my ears even less, because this is an amazing record.
Bandmember Ryan Ross was quoted by Rolling Stone as saying, "[The album] is influenced by the music our parents listened to like the Beach Boys, the Kinks, and the Beatles." That's putting it mildly; on PRETTY. ODD., the band takes Oscar Wilde at his word and shamelessly beg, borrow, and steal from everyone from John Lennon to Jeff Lynne, from Graham Nash to Graham Gouldman. But the giddy enthusiasm with which they do so keeps us from dwelling on the fact that this has all been done before, and simply enjoy the music. And from the faux-SGT. PEPPER opening two-fer "We're So Starving" and "Nine in the Afternoon", past the galloping rock of "Pas de Cheval" by way of the music-hall romp "I Have Friends in Holy Places", through to the baroque pop of "From a Mountain in the Middle of the Cabins", it's one hell of a ride, positively awash in swooping strings, shimmering harmonies, and supremely buoyant songcraft straight of the Lennon-McCartney playbook. And if that's not a recommendation, I don't know what is, because though the piano may have known something Panic at the Disco didn't know, it wasn't how to make a great pop record, because they've got that one down pat.
Free Music Review: I should have known; Panic w/o the (!)
Hit: 5 Stars
Disappointed. What can I say. The youthful exuberance is gone. The energy is gone. The Dance element is gone. Everything that made Panic! At The Disco unique is gone.
I should have gotten the hint when a Press review said "Forget everything you know about PATD." Then I was confused, didnt' their name have an ! in it before?
I don't blame the band, (hence the 5 star rating and I haven't even gotten to the music yet), I blame the Producer. I have seen this before; that what made the band special stripped away, sanitized by the Producer's vision (agenda) for the band (Remember the Simpson's Poochie episode, "We need to Rastify it 25(?)% ..").
A band has every right to do what they desire with their sound and take on a new direction. However, it is a betrayal of the fans to take such a 180 degree turn from the sound that raised them to near Rock Star status in such a short amount of time. This should have been their 5th album, not their second.
In reading the other reviews, I see that I am not alone. This band created such a special place in each of their fans hearts that no one dare be very harsh, but the disappointment is palpable. I too, am a fan, but not the fan I was before Pretty. Odd. came out.
The album is not bad, just not exciting or engaging. It reminds me of a Monkeys cover album or "A Very Brady.." rock album. It is clear that they were striving to emulate a 60's retro sound (think the Beatles quirkiness as you can sense from the other reviews). However, given that it was PATD, I would expect the most quirkiness of all time, lathered in clever lyrics, which it is not.
To be honest, had I known that this album sounded like a Beatles knock-off (among others), I simply would not have bought it, because we already have the Beatles. I buy PATD because I like (the old) P!ATD, I like Dance music, I like the poppy punk element and I like their clever lyrics. THAT IS ALL GONE, DADDY GONE, THE LOVE IS ALL GONE!
I hope that the band listens to their fans, and listens to their hearts and decides which direction that they want to go. Who knows, maybe I will buy another P!ATD album again, but for now, I'm already selling Pretty. Odd.