Arguably one of the most anticipated record of 2008. Whether its because you couldn’t wait to listen to it and enjoy it, or it’s because you couldn’t wait to bash it is a different story.
In my mind, if the band stuck to the debut album formula, they would have remained in the spotlight for about 30 seconds before the crowd moved on to something else. If the band had gone off the deep end and completely reinvented themselves, most of the fans would have disowned them.’Pretty. Odd.’ is a compromise and a way Panic At The Disco will be able to stay in peoples minds long enough to make it to their next record (if they can keep from breaking up that is).
The albums sound scape is one of bright, vibrant, eccentric tones that create cheery imagery. There have been a few different publications and people that have compared certain songs to the Beatles, such as “Behind The Sea”, but frankly other than an interesting comparison theres not much else to say about it and it would probably be best if there wasn’t much said about it. ‘Pretty. Odd.’ dances around all genres, some of the most interesting ones being “country”, “pop” and what can only be describes as “musical score?”. At the end of the day though, the album hits on all different moods and situation that people may fall into and may appeal to you for that reason.
When you’re able to achieve the kind of mainstream success that Panic at The Disco did on a debut album, it seems reasonable that there would be some cockiness surrounding the 2nd album. This cocky attitude parades itself on a few occasions but the most prevalent are “She Had The World” and “We’re So Starving”. “She Had The World” is gracefully whimsical in its musical style by adding a strings section for a foundation, which does seem a bit odd in contrast to its lyrics.
Vocally, “Pas De Cheval” seems to be one of the few that ties the band to their former self as depicted on ‘A Fever You Can Sweat Out’. The song is slower than you might expect from the band but bigger and more of a spectacle than they previously seemed capable of (although this is Panic at The Disco we’re talking about).
Personally for my own sanity and health, I didn’t think about this record in advance and just took it for what it was/is. In the end I was pleasantly surprised and only slightly disappointed with the end result.
Track Listing
1. “We’re So Starving”
2. “Nine in the Afternoon”
3. “She’s a Handsome Woman”
4. “Do You Know What I’m Seeing?”
5. “That Green Gentlemen”
6. “I Have Friends in Holy Spaces”
7. “Northern Downpour”
8. “When the Day Met the Night”
9. “Pas de Cheval”
10. “The Piano Knows Something I Don’t Know”
11. “Behind the Sea”
12. “Folkin’ Around”
13. “She Had the World”
14. “From a Mountain in the Middle of the Cabins”
15. “Mad as Rabbits”
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16 Comments
I am a little disappointed by the album, sad to say.
Great review though.
Weird. I dont agree. I think the album is pretty light and enjoyable. Nothing amazing but it’s not mediocre either.
Props to PATD they’ve grown a lot.
I didn’t like the album much either. I didn’t have any expectations when I bought it, but it was really kind of boring, and not really what I like. I think the review was good though. It almost seems to have at least three different genres packes into one. If that’s what you want it hits the nail on the head
definitely an overrated album. solid, but overrated.
I picked it up expecting songs with tons of synth like “Time to dance” and upbeat vocals like “camisado”, amongst the rest of the songs on “A Fever you can’t sweat out”, only to be presents with some sort of wannabe beatles knock off.
Is it a good CD? Sure.
But it isn’t the Panic I think ANYONE was expecting. They need to not be gimmicky “carnival-esque” or whatever they’re trying to be, and stick the bascis imo. decent Cd though.
I really dont know what to say about the new album.I am really disappionted because i was excpecting it to be like a fever you cant sweat out. And I do have to agree it does sound like some of a wanna be beatles knock off
“Pretty Odd” what a phenomemal album title, certainly not what i was expecting and some just down right weird songs. Although I am trying to give it a chance. However, I will say, this a prime example of why people will continue to illegally download music. Their last album was one that I could listen to every song, definitly not the case on this one.
In my humble opinion…Panic! at the Disco >> Panic at the Disco. In a sentence, I want my $9.88 + tax back. Not that any of you asked, but I was definitely a fan of Panic! At the Disco before I purchased their newest album, which the only track I really enjoy is Track 2–Nine in the Afternoon. I was definitely looking forward to upbeat synthesizers with a hint of big band. What I got today is a remake of a late 1960s Beatles album that’s so psychedelic it couldn’t have possibly been produced in the the new millennium…could it? Not that I’m opposed to the Beatles–I’m definitely a fan! But when I want to hear the Beatles, I’m not inclined to popping in a Panic at the Disco album. To me, this is a sophomore slump which has taught me this valuable lesson: before purchasing another Panic(!) at the Disco album (if such an occasion should ever arise sometime in the next three years), PREVIEW IT. This is a band that deifnitely doesn’t appear to cater to loyal listeners, but a band which, for better or worse, will always have something new. So until their next musical endeavor, which I’ll approach cautiously, I’ll be “Panicking! at the Disco.”
i can honestly say that pretty. odd was one of the best albums ive heard in a long time. you could tell that they put in a larger effort than a fever you cant sweat out. they have made alot more fans for the change of music because their old genre of music was geered over to emo people. but now they have still kept a tad bit of their emo but have added soul, pop, and of course added some beatles inspiration. i disagree with 3/5. i would give it a 5/5 for sure!
Upon further listening, the album is phenominal. I apoligize for my previous post. The beatles like influence is amazing, and letting Ryan sing more was a fantastic choice.
The album is amazing. Simple as that.
I had to listen to it twice before I liked it ,but now i love it.
pretty much the best album ever. right. now.
much better than that teenage crap of a fever, i got over that in the space of 40 seconds. its mature, its so happy and i couldnt care less if its a beatles “knock off”, its a quality album!
makes you think of the 1800s doesnt it?
to like this album you have to listen to it a couple of times.
i love this album.
the new sound is refreshing,and a change.
Pretty. Odd. is an amazing album. It 100% helps to be eatting the special brownies or smoking something better than cigarettes.
This album is a huge and mature jump for Panic, and while they have not found ‘their’ musical sound yet.. this is a great album in the mean time. 6/5 from me
It’s an amazing album. I love it!