Pretty. Odd.
Fueled By Ramen
March 25, 2008



This seriously surprised me. Given the fact that I was definitely not a fan of Panic! at the Disco around the time of their first album, A Fever You Can’t Sweat Out (and even going as far to say that I hated them), I wasn’t expecting to even want to listen to the album until a friend persuaded me to. I was totally surprised to find out that I actually love this album. It’s so different from their first, which I found way too poppy (in a BAD way) and leaning towards the "emo" side of things, whereas Pretty. Odd. is a progression towards a better, more mature sound that is less about being so camp and pseudo-creepy emo rock and more about great songs that have more of a 70’s feel (although they’re still pretty camp, but this time it's kind of cool). Panic... have embraced a more folky sound, as well as a more of the psychedelic, with hints of old time Victoriana and pop. "Nine in the Afternoon" is a cute, happy song that is unashamedly poppy, (which I like) with a nice horn section and a great powerful chorus (probably my favourite from the album), and "That Green Gentleman (Things Have Changed)" is another great song with another great chorus and use of strings, with a vintage 70’s sound. Obviously the first album's scars will still stick around, but I think with time people will see them in a more respectable light, think of them a little more highly, and actually give this record a listen without judging it first. - TotalTrash