Panic At The Disco: Pretty. Odd.

The Indie Review

By Sean Duregger
April 24, 2008

Artist: Panic at the Disco
Album: Pretty. Odd.
Label: Fueled By Ramen/Decaydance
Rating:

I’ve always been one to encourage bands and artists to push themselves and to always try new things. Sometimes something really amazing happens leaving a lasting imprint on a generation; however, sometimes the risk falls flat and becomes utterly forgettable. The Beatles left a creative mark on music history with Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (Their 8th Studio Album). Panic at the Disco, however, decided to use the Sgt. Pepper formula on their SECOND studio album, Pretty. Odd. Leaving fans of their first release, A Fever You Can’t Sweat Out, scratching their heads and wondering where the band they fell in love with went. Great production, great musicianship, and great vocals do not necessarily mean a great album. Something is missing from Pretty. Odd. making it Pretty. Forgettable.

It’s easy to respect what Panic at the Disco are doing here. They obviously were burnt out on their old songs and sound so they wanted to move in a different direction. However, the blatant Beatles/Folk influence is what makes this such an uneventful album. There is nothing new here. If you pool together all your parents old LPs from the Early to Mid 70s, this is pretty much what you will hear. While this is an interesting direction for a band today to move to, this makes Pretty. Odd. a slightly boring listen. Nothing really demands attention here, and every song (with the exception of a couple tracks) falls completely flat and has no where to go.

There is something to be said about the production, though. It is absolutely phenomenal. The use of strings, piano, horns and many more instruments requires a lot of talent to arrange and isn’t just tacked on to make these songs sound fuller or more complex. Vocals, also are well thought out and Brendon’s voice has improved since A Fever You Can’t Sweat Out.

While there are some positives to Pretty. Odd. there just isn’t the innovation and energy most people fell in love with in A Fever You Can’t Sweat Out. Pretty. Odd. just exists as a love letter to The Beatles while letting us know that Panic at the Disco is still around. Hopefully their next album will dig them out of this Pretty. Boring. sophomore slump.

Stand Out Tracks:

“Nine in the Afternoon”

“Northern Downpour”

“That Green Gentlemen”