For fans who are confused about the band’s new direction, Panic at the Disco opens its new CD, “Pretty. Odd.,” with a minute-and-a-half long song addressing the concern that their sound may surprise audiences.
The track, entitled “We’re So Starving” proclaims, in an almost Broadway-bound style, that their fans “don’t have to worry, because we’re still the same band …”
In reality, however, Panic at the Disco shows a different style. But don’t feel bad, Panic. Almost every band changes style in their sophomore album.
First of all, the overall tempo of the songs is much slower. Yes, it’s true. Songs characterized by tongue-twisting (and meaningless) lyrics have gone out the window, along with Panic at the Disco’s exclamation point.
Surprisingly, the band has completely turned in their own style in experimenting with new things. Their songs are much happier, which may disappoint those who were looking for the band to do something much more edgy.
Most of the change can be blamed on the songs’ inclusion of big-band instruments in “Do You Know What I’m Seeing,” in which the band heavily uses strings instruments. At one point there is even a harmonica in the back of the song, adding a twangy-anthem feeling to the tune.
Continuing in this fashion, songs like “She’s a Handsome Woman” and “Behind the Sea” attempt to take a modern take on The Beatles’ sound.
Don’t believe me? One song on the CD is seriously called “Folkin’ Around.” I’ll let you guess what kind of style the song portrays. I couldn’t believe it at first either.
“I Have Friends in Holy Spaces” is the only song that truly reminds one of the 1940’s feel that dominated their first album “A Fever You Can’t Sweat Out,” with an imitation of a song played on a radio very far away.
Yet, the song still would have felt strange if put on the first, since it randomly features a ukulele.
I wouldn’t have know this CD was Panic if I had heard it on the radio. However, despite all the strangeness, the album produces an interesting, fluid sound .
So if you want to hear a modern punk band try to sound like a ’60s cover band, this would be for you.
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