The immediate draw towards the emo/rock/pop aspects of Panic! At the Disco is their ability to constantly reinvent their image and sound, creating a different experience with every record. From the punk rock tunes of their debut album, to the folk music found of Pretty. Odd, from changing to a duo on their third effort to the current 80s Depeche Mode vibe of their latest release, Too Weird To Live, Too Rare To Die!, they can do it all. Preceded by two catchy singles, “Miss Jackson” and “This Is Gospel”, the duo sure knows how to keep their fans guessing. Inspired by Las Vegas, the city of sin, the new album is a collection of dark, high energy tracks that showcase the fact they are just getting better with time.
Fans and critics have labeled the new project as sort of a solo effort from lead singer Brendon Urie, and with second single “This Is Gospel” it could be easy to see as to why, but the track itself is a powerful statement and strong opener for the new album. Vocal effects on the verses mixed with Urie’s rock performance on the chorus fuse together to craft a well-written, haunting new genre for the group.
Urie stated the album would somehow be inspired by hip-hop, inspiration that was quickly noticeable as soon as the first single, “Miss Jackson” was released. With lyrics describing personal experiences in the lead singer’s sex life, guest vocals from singer Lolo and featuring a reference to the great Janet Jackson, “Miss Jackson, are you nasty?”, the lead single was a bold, unique and risky comeback for the new duo.
“Vegas Lights” has Urie swimming with the sharks until he drowns. Supported by electro-rock production and interesting synths, the experimental track seems to take inspiration from the group’s three past albums and fuse them into one Cobra Starship-sounding hit. “Ain't it so, ain't it so perfect, our cynical minds will make it totally worth it”, Urie sings with his soft, dreamy vocals before the loud chorus comes through.
The 80s Depeche Mode/Duran Duran comparisons come pouring out of the synth-pop nature of “Girl That You Love”, a moody trip that plays up the added effects on Urie’s vocals. The track may not have much going for it lyrically, it is over before you know it, but the small punch that it does pack is enough to keep hitting the replay button. Points for stepping outside the box boys!
Love is an addiction, one that can be tough to kick. Urie understands the pain in “Nicotine”, an ode to a girl who seems to be tearing the artist down. “I taste you on my lips and I can't get rid of you, so I say damn your kiss and the awful things you do”, he sings on the mellow rock track. The song works as great vocals, well-written lyrics and solid production play off each other successfully.
“Girls/Girls/Boys” finds Urie fighting for the affection of a girl who may have her eyes on another woman, interesting subject matter. While lines such as “love is not a choice” are commendable, the track as a whole just seems to be a crazy mix of production effects that don’t really hold together. It’s an extremely cute moment, but paired with the rest of the track list, just falls a bit flat.
Once again, the 80s slick, synth-like production of “Casual Affair” creates a mood worth talking about. While the highlight of the song is definitely the unique supporting beats, Urie’s vocals also stand out even though it’s far from his usually rock-styled delivery. Songwriting is stretched extremely thin for the three and a half minute track, but overall is a nice addition to the album’s dark, sensual theme.
Panic! At the Disco continues to keep the music fresh, new and innovative with surprising electronic beats on “Too Far Young to Die”. There seems to be a sense of despair in Urie’s voice as he sings “I never so adored you, I'm twisting allegories now, I want to complicate you, don't let me do this to myself”. The story of romance is one of intrigue, but unfortunately ends too soon to fully enjoy it.
“Collar Full” is a catchy pop/rock track where Urie seems to not mind having a particular girl be the death of him. A little extreme, but whatever works. Assisted by impressive backing drums and guitar, the track turns into a head-bobbing 80s pop track on the chorus while incorporating the singer’s low vocals on the verses. It is nothing groundbreaking, it just keeps the album moving down the right path.
The ten-track album closes with “The End Of All Things”, a slow, somber moment assisted by a simple piano. “In these coming years, many things will change, but the way I feel, will remain the same” are lines that would fit in perfectly with the next end of the world drama, weird to hear them from Urie. The closing track is short, beautiful and unexpected, a great way to wrap up a new era of music.
“Collar Full” is a catchy pop/rock track where Urie seems to not mind having a particular girl be the death of him. A little extreme, but whatever works. Assisted by impressive backing drums and guitar, the track turns into a head-bobbing 80s pop track on the chorus while incorporating the singer’s low vocals on the verses. It is nothing groundbreaking, it just keeps the album moving down the right path.
The ten-track album closes with “The End Of All Things”, a slow, somber moment assisted by a simple piano. “In these coming years, many things will change, but the way I feel, will remain the same” are lines that would fit in perfectly with the next end of the world drama, weird to hear them from Urie. The closing track is short, beautiful and unexpected, a great way to wrap up a new era of music.
Too Weird To Live, Too Rare To Die! is a fantastic album, one that ultimately becomes a cohesive, intriguing and artistic release from a group which has had its share of highs and lows. While fans of the band may be a bit taken back by the 80s electro and hip-hop influences, the album will find an audience that will appreciate the risks and innovation. Panic! At the Disco does quite a bit of genre jumping on the ten-track journey, but it somehow all comes together with only one small misstep. On some tracks, the lyrical content may be thin and vague, but the album succeeds in terms of vocal performances and production. It may even be my favorite release from the group yet. The album receives an 87%.
Tracks to Hear: "This is Gospel", "Girl That You Love", "Nicotine" and "Casual Affair"
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