Panic at the Disco's Pretty Odd CD
The Las Vegas Band Releases a New Album and a New Sound, March 2008
Pretty Odd is the second studio album from Panic At the Disco, and takes the band in a new musical direction, but retains their creativity and energy.
The second album from Las Vegas band Panic At The Disco hit stores this month. The new record, titled Pretty. Odd. marks a departure from the sound of their first album, but critics and fans alike are expressing positive views about their new material. Pretty. Odd. features fifteen new original songs from the band, and was released in March 2008.
New Sound
The new album features less of the driving drums, beats and electronic effects that Panic fans are used to, opting for a slower pace, laden with acoustic guitars, pianos, strings, horns, an array of harmonies, and backing vocals featuring all four band members for the first time. Lead guitarist Ryan Ross also takes on the role of lead vocalist on two songs, “Mad As Rabbits” and “Beyond The Sea”.
Reviews for Pretty. Odd.
The album has been garnering praise since its release. Billboard Magazine’s Katie Hasty described it as “15 tracks of welcomed live drum sounds, symphonies and stacked harmonies” (1) whereas Time Magazine commented that “the songs on the group’s second album are smarter, with fully developed melodies that range from Supertrampy bounce to Pearl Jammish crunch.”(2) Rolling Stone said the songs "The tunes are often beautiful… over the top…..with a broad sense of humour” (3).
A Fever You Can't Sweat Out
Panic began their career in earnest in 2004, releasing their debut album A Fever You Can’t Sweat Out in 2005. The album was praised for its originality and energy, and was eventually certified platinum in the USA with sales of over 1 million copies, also selling well internationally. They spent the next couple of years touring off the back of the album’s success, visiting Europe, Australia, and New Zealand among their many destinations.
New Material
The band began to write the new album in January 2007, but it would turn out to be a lengthy process involving many re-writes and changes in sound and production, due to the band initially feeling that the new songs weren’t taking them in the direction they wished to go. By the beginning of 2008 publicity was building regarding the release of the new record. The first single to be released was “Nine in the Afternoon” and the album followed shortly afterwards.
Panic at The Disco on Tour
Panic have toured Europe again through the early part of 2008, showcasing their new material as well as much loved songs from their first album, and are already gearing up for a world tour that will kick off this summer, when they will visit Japan, and Australia, with more destinations to be announced. The next single from the album will be “That Green Gentleman (Things Have Changed)". The future looks bright for Panic as they continue to surprise and entertain their fans with their talent and creativity.
Sources
2) Time Magazine, March 31 2008
