Panic grows up and calms down on Odd

It seems like the fever Panic at the Disco couldn’t sweat out on the group’s first album was… It seems like the fever Panic at the Disco couldn’t sweat out on the group’s first album was killed by whatever penicillin regimen these guys have started.

Pretty. Odd. Panic at the Disco Atlantic Records Rocks like: Fall Out Boy, My Chemical Romance

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And as an effect, these once-emo poster boys don’t sound the same.

Evidence of this change first came when the band announced a successor album that would never see the light of day: It was scrapped by the band members’ own hands.

Instead, Panic presents its latest album, Pretty. Odd., complete with the extra punctuation mark that once trademarked “Panic! At the Disco.” Times have changed, and you may now refer to the band as simply, “Panic at the Disco.”

Upon listening to the music, this punctuation change reflects the band’s transition from hyperactive teenagers to a more subdued group that still doesn’t take itself too seriously.

Barely out of their teens themselves, the members of Panic have apparently rummaged through their parents’ vinyl-record collections to find a newer sound that still says, “We’re back,” yet appeals to a broader, possibly older audience.

The result is pretty odd for any Panic fan, but there’s no denying that it’s an enjoyable listen, thanks in part to some creative instrumentation.

Most of the songs, and “Do You Know What I’m Seeing?” in particular, get an orchestral treatment that ranges from sublime to sub-par but overall exceeds Panic’s previous efforts. The band gives a melodic sensation regrettably unheard in its first album.

The ranges of songs produced are also surprising. Sure, there’s the traditional punk fare, but there’s also one folk song, “Folkin’ Around,” as well as songs that glow with a classic touch, like “She had the World.”

Panic must’ve found quite a collection in the attic, and the band acknowledges that it took some time.

The first song, “We’re so Starving,” almost sounds apologetic with the lyrics: “Oh, how it’s been so long / We’re so sorry we’ve been gone / We were busy writing songs for you.”

A three-year break between albums isn’t too long of a stretch, is it? Maybe Panic was apologizing to fans for scrapping the prototypical second album that would’ve seen an earlier release, but the band needn’t say sorry – the earlier album wouldn’t likely have been this good.

On another note, all the members in Panic get their time in the spotlight. Vocal harmonization is the norm, and it’s great to listen to.

It gives each member a chance to connect with fans rather than letting one predominant vocal artist be the face of the group.

While the music is a step up, the lyrics have been somewhat dumbed-down on Pretty. Odd. They definitely lack any ironic wit or smarmy commentary and instead come off as disjointed or nonsensical.

For example, “Do you Know What I’m Seeing?” includes the verse: “Clouds are marching along / singing a song just like they do / If the clouds were singing a song / I’d sing along / wouldn’t you too?” Singing with the clouds? It’s sure lighthearted, but aside from thunderclaps, when do clouds ever make noise?”

Coming from a once-ardent Panic-hater, this album came as a surprise.

Musically, the band soared beyond what it achieved on Fever and came off a little more mature, as a band that not only wants to have fun but also wants to appeal to multiple generations.