Panic at the Disco - Pretty. Odd.
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Free Music Notes for Pretty. Odd.
Free Music Review: Panic in the fanbase
Hit: 5 Stars
Credit Rock Band for introducing me to this album: between the inclusion of Nine in the Afternoon as part of the Rock Band 2 package and the adaptation of She's a Handsome Woman into a downloadable track, I was intrigued. What sort of modern band was making such disparate music?
I found a copy of the album shortly thereafter and it slowly started winning me over, a few tracks at a time.
I hadn't listened to A Fever You Can't Sweat Out, so I came at Pretty. Odd. fresh, with no prior knowledge of the band.
After it had charmed its way into being one of my favorite albums (not an easy task), I went back and unearthed Fever, and was singularly unimpressed. It was utterly generic, sounding more like a collection of Fallout Boy outtakes than like a fledgling band trying to make its mark on an overcrowded music scene.
When I came to Amazon to review the album, I took a few minutes to look over some of the other user reviews, specifically the ones that gave it one or two stars, because I knew what I would find: obsessed fanboys and -girls who were so enamored by the band's unoriginal "style" on their previous offering that they would be unwilling to open their ears, their minds, and their hearts to an album that truly takes some musical chances and explores the band's talents in both songwriting and performance.
This is a truly special album, so it's not at all surprising that so many people can't stand it. It doesn't taste like what they're used to.
Shortly after I succumbed to Pretty. Odd., the news came out that Ryan Ross and Jon Walker had left the band, citing "musical differences." To listen to Ross discuss Pretty. Odd., it's obvious that this was his vision for where the band should go and that singer Brandon Urie wasn't comfortable with it. Urie has said that he and Spencer Smith will continue the band and expects the third album will return to a sound more like Fever. Ross has started The Young Veins with Walker and will presumably explore the sorts of musical paths he started down with Pretty. Odd.
I'm sure I'm in the minority, here, but I'm following Ross down that path.
Free Music Review: Surprised, but Definitely Impressed
Hit: 5 Stars
If you were expecting another A Fever You Can't Sweat Out, you will be disappointed. Panic is a dynamic band and it fits that this album is different than their first. I'll admit I wasn't sure what to expect, and what I heard when I first listened through the album surprised me. It's definitely a break from the sound and critical sarcasm of their first album. I have continued to listen and continued to be impressed. Ryan joins Brendon in vocals in many of the songs, and sings lead in "Behind the Sea." His voice harmonizes well with Brendon's and definitely has its own charm.
Some of my favorites are: "Nine in the Afternoon," "She's a Handsome Woman," "That Green Gentleman," "Northern Downpour," "Pas De Cheval," "She Had the World," and "Mad as Rabbits."
I've read several reviews of Panic's Pretty. Odd. There seems to be confusion with some people about what Panic is trying to do here. This album is supposed to be influenced by the Beatles, and thus may be considered a tribute to the Beatles.
Some people do not realize this and criticize them for sounding like the Beatles, or not having the witty and observant lyrics of A Fever You Can't Sweat Out. The Beatles are not known for their sarcastic wit. Their songs are generally light-hearted, often nonsensical, and occasionally romantic.
Many rock bands attempt what Panic has done with what I consider huge success on this album. The songs and lyrics are dynamic, light-hearted, occasionally nonsensical, and sometimes romantic. The connection between their sound on this album and the Beatles is unmistakable, yet Panic retains its uniqueness. This could be in part due to Brendon's distinctive voice, but it is not hard to hear the similarities between songs on their first album and songs on Pretty. Odd.
Overall: I am extremely impressed with what Panic at the Disco has done here, and would recommend it to anyone. However, I am a huge fan of Panic at the Disco to begin with, so if you didn't like them the first time, give them a chance, and if you don't like them this time, continue on your way.
Free Music Review: Change can be good.
Hit: 5 Stars
While the first effort produced some promising tunes, I had a real hard time following any kind of meaning or significance to the lyrics or the plastic-synthesized instrumentation. I knew they had talent based on the abilities of Brendon Urie and the aforementioned catchiness of the music itself, but I wanted there to be more substance to the whole package. The sophomore album seems to have cured all of these.
Coming through with a vastly matured array of lyrics (ones that weren't penned when the band was still high school aged) as well as instruments, Panic! has made some necessary changes that helped form a sincere collection of tracks that completely transcends the well-received album from 2005.
Just compare these snippets between the first and second album:
From 'A Fever You Can't Sweat Out'
I Write Sins Not Tragedies
Oh, well imagine: as I'm pacing the pews in a church corridor,
And I can't help but to hear,
No, I can't help but to hear an exchanging of words:
"What a beautiful wedding!"
What a beautiful wedding, says the bridesmaid to a waiter.
"Yes, but what a shame...
What a shame, the poor groom's bride is a whore."
I'd come in with a
"Haven't you people ever heard of closing the goddamn door?!"
No, it's much better to face these kinds of things
With a sense of poise and rationality.
From Pretty. Odd.
'Folkin' Around'
Allow me to exaggerate a memory or two
Where summer's lasted longer than
Longer than we do
Where nothing really mattered except for me to be with you
But in time we all forgot and we all grew
Your melody sounds as sweet as the first time it was sung
With a little bit more character for show
And by the time your father's heard of all the wrong you've done
Then I'm putting out the lantern
Find your own way back home.
Don't tell me at least their lyrics haven't matured. If I could compare the 2 with audio, I'd do the same.
Free Music Review: Proud of Non-Redundancy
Hit: 5 Stars
I want to start this review off sayin that I am proud to call myself a PatD fan. Mostly, after listening to this album.
I love it when a group does something completely different than what they did on their first album. It takes balls to do something different, and PatD does it well.
I would probably say that "Nine in the Afternoon" is the only song that sounds like the first album. The funness, the cheekiness, all in this song. But, as you venture past number 2, what you get is an album that shows what the group was and still is influenced by.
Yes, like another review has mentioned, the Beatles play a large role in the direction of the album. But, after really listening to the lyrics, yous ee that all the influence is in the musical arrangements, not in the poetry of Ryan's lyrics. You even get a few awesomely written interludes by Brendon. And, hearing Ryan's voice on a couple of tracks was a risk, but a well taken one.
It's no wonder bands are scared to try something new. People rip them to shread. But, seriously, this album is what any real fan would want from their band. PatD is a group of 20-somethign men who are trying to find their niche in this candy-drenched pop world. There risk is well noted, and well done.
Admittedly, it might take a few listens to get used to the change in tone and music arrangements, but its well worth it.
A few gems: "The Green Gentleman," "She Had The World," "Mad as Rabbits," and "When The Day Met The Night." Also, take notice of the two interludes, they are awesome!
For those who have written the album off for "trying to be the Beatles," or "for going in another direction," take a step back, look at the album for what it is, and recognize the genius of a young group taking a chane on being different than the mainstream.
Free Music Review: Pretty.Good.
Hit: 5 Stars
I loved Panic at the disco's debut album, the million selling "A fever you can't sweat out" and was really thrilled when I finally got its follow up. "Pretty. Odd." is quite different from its more energetic electronic/Punk predecessor, featuring sunny harmonies, loads of horns and a retro sound reminiscent in parts of The Beach Boys or the Beatles. The band stated that they wanted a classic rock sound and that's what it sure sounds like.
The mood for the most part is mellow. Lead-off single "Nine in the afternoon" is a bouncy horn sprinkled song with sunny harmonies and quirky time changes. "Do you know what I'm seeing" is an upbeat string-swathed song with accordion flourishes. "I have friends in holy spaces" is a Lo-Fi jazzy acoustic piece with lots of horns. "When the day met the night" has a sunny surf sound, peppered with horns and tinkling pianos.
"Pas de cheval" has a galloping feel with nice harmonies and fleeting horns. Melancholic and Beatles-esque is the ballad "Behind the sea" with a slight marching drum beat, and an upbeat sing-along coda. "Folkin' around" is a fiddle filled country song, while "She had the world" is a melodic acoustic/violin festooned ballad with sixties sounding vocals/harmonies. I love it! Similar but with a slightly faster tempo is "From a mountain in the middle of the cabins".
"Mad as rabbits" is a sunny upbeat pop rocker, but my favourite song is "That green gentleman (Things have changed)". This is a bouncy song with a catchy chorus, retro sounding guitars, ELO-style harmonies and lyrics that reference the album title.
Most of the song titles are apparently lines appearing in the songs themselves. The album has a slight oddball pop feel similar to the sound of say The Smiths, and it did take a bit to grow on me but you know what, it's Pretty.Good.