Panic! At The Disco find themselves at an interesting point in their career. For one, yes, the exclamation point is back. More importantly, the band — now officially down to a duo in Brendon Urie (lead vocals, guitars, bass guitar, keyboards, piano) and Spencer Smith (drums, percussion) — is fighting an uphill battle. Its first record, A Fever You Can’t Sweat Out, was a snapshot-of-the-scene hit that had the band colored as the next darlings of “emo-pop.” However, Pretty. Odd. veered entirely too far into Beatles-esque territory that turned quite a few of those early fans off; a textbook example of the “sophomore slump” if there ever was one.
Logically, the idea of combining the two — a radio-friendly sound mixed with a desire to expand songwriting horizons — seems to be at the heart of Vices & Virtues. However, writing it off as a hybrid to save commercial face while still saving some credibility would be too simplistic of a description. There’s quite a bit more going on regarding both fronts.
The first two tracks reveal a slicker sound, to be sure. “The Ballad of Mona Lisa” and “Let’s Kill Tonight” go from wistful to nihilistic in the first almost-eight minutes of the record. The theatrics the band is known for are still there, but definitely a little subdued in favor of craft. At the core is a more-produced sound — not so much like the vapid pop that dominates radio, but more like Nine Inch Nails.
Vices & Virtues doesn’t even sound like what would be considered a typical Panic! At The Disco album until the third track, “Hurricane.” At that point, a lot of the melody and song structure associated with “emo-pop” finally rears its head — and even then it’s twinged with the faux-industrial sound. The sharply ironic refrain, “You’ll dance to anything,” drives home that getting the teen agenda across isn’t so much a priority anymore — or so it may seem.
Article comments
1 - Emm
I was one of those fans of A Fever You Can’t Sweat Out that was so turned off by Pretty. Odd. that I didn't even know there was a third album!!
After reading your well-written but lukewarm review, I am debating whether to just go back and listen to A Fever You Can’t Sweat Out or get up and actually go out this weekend and listen to the new album. Decisions...
2 - JS
Emm I felt the same way you did, but I went ahead and bought the album. You will not be disappointed. This album puts the band back on track, and truly shows that they have found their way.
3 - Christine
I don't have a problem with the lyrics myself, and I rather like the track Memories in particular. I don't necessarily read angst every time I hear some sentimentality, though. I think it's too easy to label such snippets and lines as angsty when we picture the artists in skinny jeans as opposed to more butch attire.
I think this album is a solid, logical progression from the first album, with more of the musicianship and maturity of the second. I think it's just plain fun, too. After hearing the stream from facebook, I bought the deluxe iTunes version, and have also LOVED the bonus tracks there. I think fans of the first album will enjoy those tracks quite a bit. "Bittersweet" is getting some well-deserved buzz in fan communities.
4 - grimmless
Nailed it.
5 - Ryan J
I personally welcome the new album. Of course their first is still their best, but this CD is pretty well done. Lyrically I think Brendon did a good job. His words may be more simple than Ryan's, but they still hold strong meaning. And the sound is quite fantastic.
As a duo I think Panic! has proven they can still create great music. They're regressing back to their roots while maintaining the maturity they had when creating their second album. All in all, a great listen.
6 - Dodo
Pretty odd is the best freakin album ever :)
7 - Monday Jones
I liked all three albums, but Pretty Odd is actually my favourite:)