PunchBook

Grade - C+

Holy! disappointment.

I normally don’t get into emo bands too much, but after Panic’s 2005 debut album A Fever You Can’t Sweat Out, I was a fan. The crafty song titles and lyrics reminded me a lot of Arctic Monkeys and their biggest inspiration Blink 182. That type of original songwriting coupled with the racy rhythms and loud screeching voice of front man Brendon Urie gave Panic! a unique sound that separated them from the other pretty boy teeny bopper boy bands.

When their newest release Pretty, Odd hit I picked it up instantly…….. and was instantly disappointed. I can appreciate the desire for this young group to branch out and show that they are more talented beyond the catchy tunes and fast beats. However, in Pretty, Odd they tried way too hard. In the first track they claim, “You don’t have to worry, because we are still the same old band,” I’m worried.

The lyrics are a huge step below from their previous albums, and the beats do not change tempo to the point where it gets your blood pumping harder throughout the song. Nope, Pretty, Odd is pretty stale.

I don’t want to totally dog these guys because it’s obvious they went out on a limb here. Changing your style is a huge risk and it’s almost better to see them try something new than produce a carbon copy of their debut album. Not all is lost here, the album starts off as a complete sleeper and I almost turned it off completely. However, things turn around on the last few tracks and we get a glimpse of the direction these guys really want to go. Not to mention they seem to regain the element of fun and goofiness that was tattooed across their entire first album. The track The Piano Knows Something That I Don’t Know, a play on a Beatles tune along with the rest of the ablum, is packed with witty lyrics as well as jazzy guitar riffs, horns, and a violin. These guys are trying but I don’t think all the pieces fit quite yet, and the majority of their fans probably would agree.

Despite the disappointment of this album, it has shown enough potential to make me look forward to see where they decide to go from here. I’m chalking it up to the sophomore slump. Unless you are totally intrigued to hear the lackluster direction these guys have their new wanna be Beatles sound, save your money.

My favorite track – I Have Friends In Holy Places – The old show tune feel paired with the scratchy phonograph sound earns props with me on the originality scale…..whatever that is worth.