Product ReviewsPretty. Odd by Panic! at the Disco (CD, 2008)

Not the old "Disco" beat.

This CD wasn't quite what I expected after "A Fever You Can't Sweat Out". The music style has changed significantly from what we're all familiar with, evoking some memories of "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds", "Norweigian Wood", etc. It's clear that these guys were very influenced by the Beatles, and they play around with different sounds, trying to find a good fit. This CD isn't "instant hit" material like their commercially engineered first disc, but it's a good effort. Listen to it a few times, and you'll find that it grows on you slowly. I enjoy listening to this very much while driving around town.Read full review...

Pretty odd, indeed...I blame the loss of punctuation

To fully understand where I'm coming from, one has to look at the only thing I have to compare "Pretty. Odd" to. Panic's debut album, "A Fever You Can't Sweat Out", drew inspiration from death and sickness, corrupt religion and politics, unfaithfulness and loneliness, filth and perversion. Simply put, it was about the miserable downfall of society and the painful corrosion of the world. And for loving fans of Panic! at the Disco, it's what we've come to expect. What we would NOT expect is everything that is "Pretty. Odd", especially after nearly two years of anxiously waiting for their next album.
The CD's first track, "We're So Starving", opens with "Oh, how it's been so long. We're so sorry we've been gone. We were busy writing songs for YOU!" At this point, I smiled and laughed, ignoring the strange music. The song continues "You don't have to worry, cause we're still the same band" and although I'd heard rumors that the new album had a sound similar to The Beatles, I trusted Panic would deliver the kind of music I've come to love. I have never been more surprised in my life (by a CD, at least). "Nine in the Afternoon" comes next, a song I've come to enjoy on the radio, but assumed it was the extent of a 60s through back. But it only gets worse. The entire CD is an unfamiliar mixture of The Beatles and a high school marching band, plus every other style of music thrown in at least once. "I Have Friends in Holy Spaces", with its 1920s radio quality and jazzy music, inspires images of black-and-white, Steamboat-Willie-style cartoons (or Zipadee-doo-da, if you prefer). While the lyrics of "She Had the World" resemble Panic somewhat, the music belongs in a Victorian ballroom. "Behind the Sea" starts off sounding like the yellow submarine and ends up sounding like a drunk sailor's sea shanty. "Folkin' Around" is 2 hellish minutes of redneck, bluegrass-styled music straight from the deep south. The rest of the songs aren't really distinguishable from one another in any way. Instead of being dark and edgy, they all draw inspiration from love, nature, weather, and the like. While Panic has managed to keep the early 1900s feel they are normally associated with, the new songs make one think of garden tea parties and happy strolls around town, sunshine and birdsongs. The absolute opposite of what you'd think of when you hear the name Panic at the Disco.
While I'm sure they didn't intend for their new CD to be compared to The Beatles, it's hard to think of anything else that this album reminds me of. It certainly can't be compared to Panic's first CD, which might as well have come from a different band altogether! Unfortunately, you can't help but compare the two albums. The sharp contrast between the two CDs makes it hard to enjoy "Pretty. Odd", which may very well be a good CD, but you can't tell. I'm sure they want the freedom to try new things, new sounds and styles, I'm just not sure a sophomore album is the time or place to do it. Perhaps they simply ran out of angst. Either way, their latest CD is what happens when you lock yourself away in a mountain cabin, far away from civilization.
If you are looking for a sound similar to Panic's first album, DO NOT buy this CD. If you'll love Panic's music no matter what, go for it. If you've never heard Panic at the Disco before, this should be at the top of your list. I may pick it back up later, after the shock wears off, but right now, I'm just not ready for Panic's new sound (and lack of !).Read full review...

Not what I was expecting

If you're looking for a follow up that sounds very similar to Panic at the Disco's first CD, you won't find it here. Their sophomore effort plays like a good Broadway style musical. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, because most songs are really quite catchy, it's just not what I was expecting from Panic. The band has clearly matured since their first record, and their single "Nine In the Afternoon" is one of best songs they have written. The production quality on this record is excellent, but if you're a teenager looking for some new pop-punk tunes, you may want to keep looking.Read full review...

Perfect. This has nothing to do with the quality of the item but this is a perfect album

Perfect. This has nothing to do with the quality of the item but this is a perfect album

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: pre-owned | Sold by: worldofbooksusa

Different, but familiar

I bought their last title on vinyl at Hot Topic, and I enjoyed it very much. The first single from this one, "Nine In The Afternoon" was so catchy that I thought this album would also be worth a shot. I was not disappointed. While I agree with others that there is clearly a Beatles influence here, there are a lot of other influences evident including a touch of country and even dixieland. Throughout, the band still manages to provide a unique blend of sounds and interesting lyrics. Don't get too comfortable with the idea that the guys have suddenly decided to make their titles evident in the songs. There are still several here that follow the previous pattern of having mysterious titles. The band manages to depart a bit from previous work while maintaining their musical identity. Overall, this album has excellent entertainment value and no disappointments.Read full review...

Great

It was a week late, but it came. However, the packaging was quite beat up; especially the address label.

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: pre-owned | Sold by: worldofbooksusa

Different sometimes is good

This CD is so different than their first, but to me it is in a good way. I am not saying they are in the class of either Green Day or Metallica, but this reminds me of how these two bands had a change in sound as they matured and ended up coming out with some of their best work as they grew older. I love the first Panic! CD and this CD took me by surprise but once I gave it a chance I started to enjoy it more. One negative though is as I get to the last few tracks I begin to get bored and shut the CD off. The last few tracks are boring and lack something.Read full review...

whimsical lyrics, melodic,catchy background noise

this is what i consider to be "lite" alternative rock music not too threatening or angst ridden. I would recommend this music to house company , it doesn't get in the way of any conversations or events and, unless you listen to closely won't offend anyone's tastes or opinions. Easily ignored or overlooked by anybody with any real taste or desire to be aurically entertained or satisfied by it's intellectual content or enthusiastic attempt at melodic mastery.Read full review...

Stuff & Thangs

Good quality, no scratches or damage of any kind to the CD or the case. Insert booklet was in good condition as well, no rips or folds anywhere. Well taken care of.

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: pre-owned | Sold by: worldofbooksusa

psychedelic across the universe

i recomend this album to anyone who thinks that this younger generation has lost it's ability to write and arrange artful tunes. lots of modulations and key changes along with layered instrumentation have taken these guys out of the shadow of fall out boy. after the great work of My Chemical Romance on Black Parade, Panic At The Disco has continued to raise the level of their art. harking back to the era of the Beatles, the Kinks and the Animals, this foursome had embarked on a direction few of their generation would dare to attempt.Read full review...