It’s hard to define the genre that The Panic Division fits into, but if I had to rattle of some descriptive words they would probably be an ambient, airy, Sting style rock band. It’s not a style I’m particularly drawn to initially but the band is able to pull me in and keep me coming back.
The band sticks to their style but by the end of the record it can get a bit tiresome. It’s nice they added a cover song to mix it up and one that the band absolutely nailed at that. Most people will remember “Broken Wings” whether they actually know who originally sung it [That would be Mr. Mister, which yes, I did have to look up]. One of the reasons I did look it up was because it sounds so much like the original that I wanted to compare the slight differences in the two, of course after listening it’s easy to hear the differences but the song fits the bands style perfectly.
Besides the fantastic cover song, there are a few songs that stick out and are note worthy such as “Big Day” the immediately catchy song which hooks you with the first lyrics “wake up you got a big day, today put a friend into the grave…” and then shortly breaks into the song’s big chorus. “Your Satellite” uses the keys to get you interested with it’s captivating intro. The song is one of the longest on “Songs From The Glasshouse” clocking it at almost 6 minutes yet it never feels long.
The first half of the album is definitely stronger than the second half interestingly enough both halves having a song named “Stay”. The song “A Killer is Born” is another solid stand out track which uses the beginning lyrics to you hook the listener.
I have a feeling this album will go over looked by many with giving it the chance it deserves. Check out some songs and give a few listens if need be, you will be happy you did.
