They’ve been called emo, dance, cabaret, 60’s rock, trip-hop, hybrid, progressive, alternative, and just about every other possible subgenre in the book. But that’s the wonderful thing about a band like Panic! At The Disco: you never know exactly what you’re going to get with each corresponding album release. Since the band’s debut release A Fever You Can’t Sweat Out hit shelves in 2005, they’ve been captivating audiences and building a rabid fan base that even Pete Wentz could envy. Every album since Fever has been completely and utterly unique, and their fourth studio album Too Weird To Live, Too Rare To Die! is no exception.
This time around, the tracks conjure up similarities to artists like Passion Pit (“Vegas Lights”), MGMT, and Depeche Mode (“Girl That You Love”) than bands like Fall Out Boy and My Chemical Romance. The band also seems to break even more boundaries by experimenting with dance music (“Nicotine”, “Casual Affair”). Their musicianship has only gotten stronger though. Vocalist Brendon Urie’s voice is still extravagant enough to summon goose bumps up to the surface of even the most seasoned listeners’ skin.
The two lead singles on this album (“This Is Gospel”, “Miss Jackson”) were perfect choices to both kick off the record and show fans both old and new the diversity of Panic!’s music. They’re more mature sounding (I know it’s cliché to say, but it’s the truth). This is a band that started off at a very young age, signing a record deal straight out of high school without having ever played a live show. The fact that they’re still alive, kickin’, and making great music makes me happy to know. Plus, the exclamation point is still around. Hopefully it will never leave again.
Label: Decaydance, Fueled By Ramen
Available: Now
https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/too-weird-to-live-too-rare/id684954402?uo=4