Pretty. Odd. [Enhanced]

I loved Panic at the disco's debut album, the million selling "A fever you can't sweat out" and was really thrilled when I finally got its follow up. "Pretty. Odd." is quite different from its more energetic electronic/Punk predecessor, featuring sunny harmonies, loads of horns and a retro sound reminiscent in parts of The Beach Boys or the Beatles. The band stated that they wanted a classic rock sound and that's what it sure sounds like.

The mood for the most part is mellow. Lead-off single "Nine in the afternoon" is a bouncy horn sprinkled song with sunny harmonies and quirky time changes. "Do you know what I'm seeing" is an upbeat string-swathed song with accordion flourishes. "I have friends in holy spaces" is a Lo-Fi jazzy acoustic piece with lots of horns. "When the day met the night" has a sunny surf sound, peppered with horns and tinkling pianos.

"Pas de cheval" has a galloping feel with nice harmonies and fleeting horns. Melancholic and Beatles-esque is the ballad "Behind the sea" with a slight marching drum beat, and an upbeat sing-along coda. "Folkin' around" is a fiddle filled country song, while "She had the world" is a melodic acoustic/violin festooned ballad with sixties sounding vocals/harmonies. I love it! Similar but with a slightly faster tempo is "From a mountain in the middle of the cabins".

"Mad as rabbits" is a sunny upbeat pop rocker, but my favourite song is "That green gentleman (Things have changed)". This is a bouncy song with a catchy chorus, retro sounding guitars, ELO-style harmonies and lyrics that reference the album title.

Most of the song titles are apparently lines appearing in the songs themselves. The album has a slight oddball pop feel similar to the sound of say The Smiths, and it did take a bit to grow on me but you know what, it's Pretty.Good.

Upon hearing the first hit from "Pretty.Odd", called "Nine In The Afternoon". my reaction was to make accusations against the band that they are nothing but Sargent Pepper rip off artists, down to the string and brass instruments. What nerve these "emos" had, i thought.

However, despite their obvious "influence" by John,Paul,George and Ringo, with each listen i couldnt help but like the song, becouse to be honest, its a pretty good sounding song.

So i decided to give the other songs a preview here on Amazon, and i was pleasantly surprised. I heard what sounded like some genuinely inspired stuff. The previews were impressive enough for me to actually go and purchase the physical album it self. Though i wasnt completely sure it was going to be a good album, i had a pretty good hunch for some reason that these guys just might of worked together something some what special.

So i leave Target, hop in my car with the new cd in hand and begin to unwrap and open it. I turn on the car, and just when im about to feed the cd player with the disc, something pretty odd happens....the radio starts to play "A Day In The Life" by the Beatles.

Was this a sign? Was it the spirit of The Beatles blessing these new tunes i was about to embark on listening to? Or was it a warning from the ghosts of john and george to "listen to the real beatles instead of those emo clown posers!". Who knows.

I respectfully listened to the entire Beatles song as i made my way to the interstate. Once it finally reached its big orchestral build up at the end and fades out, i took a breath and poped in "Pretty.Odd"

And i must tell you, the experience was pretty pleasant! I didnt think this album would be this good, let alone did i think that id ever take to liking anything made by the likes of "Panic At The Disco", which i wrote off as trendy scene kid music with no substance. Since i experienced "Pretty.Odd", i now feel PanicAtTheDisco has a chance in the long run, i no longer think they will disappear with the "scene".

All that is to let you know where im coming from. I originally didnt take this band serious in the least and now ive been swayed to think otherwise.

The opening of the cd is a short intro that is an exciting little build up for whats to come. And of course it goes right into "Nine In The Afternoon" seemlessly. And like i said before, its a good tune, despite how they borrow (or steal?!) from the Beatles, i cant deny how i much i like the song.

The next track that stood out was "Do You Know What Im Seeing?"
A memorable chorus that i cant seem to get enough of. The first track that surprised me, heightening my anticipation for what lye ahead in this album.

Track 5,"That Green Gentleman..." became the albums 2nd radio hit. Its not bad, its actually worth listening too, but ive heard it enough on the radio, so i usually skip it, but you should give it a listen, its not filler. Its another one of the stand out songs, though not my favorite.

Now "I Have Friends In Holy Spaces" is a brief tune, that sounds like something from the olden days, like one of those guys with a derby hat on playing one of those tiny ukalali guitars, something out of the early 1900's; but not to give it that much props. Its a funny sounding song, and a little corny, but i like it, i never skip it. Its fun.

Next that really impressed me was the song called "When The Day Met The Night". This song reminded me of the band "CHICAGO". Wow.horns and all. And isnt that a compliment for this little band called 'Panic At The Disco' even though its a minor resemblance here i noticed that some people might not have noticed.
I swear, if they keep up work like this, they will have really earned my respect. Songs like this totally change your prejudice towards a band such as this that initially is written off as mere shallow scene kid garbage. But oh no, i dont think i can ignore Panic At The Disco any longer. That was a bigger suprise than the other song.

Right after that memorable tune comes yet another memorable tune, perhaps even a bit lovable... "Pas de Cheval" (meaning 'STEP OF THE HORSE' in French) is probably my personal favorite out of all the songs that stood out to me. It just has more of that optimistic sound and chorus. Just something about i love to hear. One of the best tunes on this album for sure.

"The Piano Knows Something I Dont Know" took a few listens actually to get into, but its worth noting that its one of the stand out tracks thats a little more sophisticated, if i dare use that word here. And may i dare go further and say it sounds like the band might of took a lesson from Brian Wilson in the lyrics department. A bit silly, but has depth.
Another good song i must admit.

Now "She Had The World" has some inspired instrumentation with what sounds like a harpsichord? Memorable background music that gets some decent vocals to accompany it. That and the string and woodwind/flute instruments are quite warm and memorable here. Yet again another track that gets a thumbs up for good sounds.

"From A Mountain In The Middle Of The Cabins". Another worthy tune?
Sadly, i must say that...YES....its good. hahaha. I only lament over having to type more good things about this album.
This song took me multiple listens before i noticed how good it was. One of the more complex of the songs...sort of. Strings and brass are arranged interestingly giving it a sort of wonder. And the whistling near the latter half of song just puts the icing on the cake. Ive never listened to something that has made me feel close the innocent happiness i felt listening to 60s music. Though i wouldnt say its the same feeling, but its similar, and this is the last band id think would ever make me feel like that.

So ya....its all pretty darn odd if you ask me! Its either im on something, or this band actually produced something special here, and im part of Gen Y, not a 60s flower child. ive never done any psychotropic drugs....so i think we can rule that option out. The evidence mounting is in favor of the latter reason: That PANIC AT THE DISCO is causing a genuine panic over people who first ruled them out as emo poser crap, like myself.

Anyways...let me continue before going off the deep end.

The final track ill mention, is , well....the final track on the cd.
And....well....just listen. If you liked anything the band SilverChair did with their album Young Modern , then i think you'll enjoy this. Apart from any of that, i liked it because its another good song. A uplifted, memorable tune. A fine little ending to a surprisingly impressive sophomore release.

Now maybe this band took liberties with the whole "Beatles Imitation" thing. But when you shut up and listen and stop hating, you cant deny, this album sounds pretty good.

I almost cant believe im even saying that!

So it seems the mysterious occurrence of the "A Day In The Life" Beatles song playing on the radio wasnt a curse. No. Its as if the spirit of John,Paul,George and Ringo gave it their blessing.

This cd is worth getting. It is and i didnt think id be giving two cents about "Panic At The Disco". Turns out i gave exactly $12.99 for it haha. But well worth it. I think my generation needs more music leaning in this direction.

And despite it borrowing heavily,so it seems, from other men's genius... for a band like this to at all succeed in imitating any of it, i think deserves honorable mention. I think if the Beatles heard this album now, i think they just might be flattered.

And again, i didnt think id EVER say such a thing.

For a pop/rock album....i give it 4 stars for its handful of memorable good tunes.

GOOD JOB, PANIC AT THE DISCO. GOOD EFFORT.

I feel compelled by all the negative reviews to add my two cents. I did NOT like A Fever You Can't Sweat Out and so I didn't really pay any attention to this album until I heard the band play "Nine in the Afternoon" on SNL. I have since been listening to Pretty Odd non-stop and I think it's great. It's not a scenester record and it's not trying to capitalize on current pop/rock trends like the previous album. I particularly enjoy the use of real instruments and the total lack of synthesizers, it makes the album a joy to listen to. It also doesn't sound over compressed like so much mainstream music these days. Sure it borrows, sometimes heavily, from The Beatles but there's a ton of bands out there who have borrowed from The Beatles while still managing to make their own unique musical statement.

If you're looking for more boring teenager angst and songs that are just loud and fast then you're in the wrong place. This album is mature and the songs, like A LOT of great songs, take some time to grow on you. The hooks can be subtle but that makes them all the more rewarding during repeated listening. If you need music that is totally non-challenging and that you like instantly then perhaps your tastes have not evolved enough to appreciate what PATD is trying to do here. Personally, I hope they use this album to leave all their scenester fans behind and win over new fans like me who just love good music.

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