Panic! At The Disco - Too Weird To Live, Too Rare To Die! (Album Review)
Wednesday, 09 October 2013
Written by Katie Vowles
Panic! At The Disco have had to do things the hard way at times. Since 2009, when Ryan Ross and Jon Walker left the band to explore other creative directions, frontman Brendon Urie has taken hold of the reins.
The immediate result was the poppiest album of their career – ‘Vices & Virtues’ - and two years on they have returned with ‘Too Weird to Live, Too Rare to Die!’, their most diverse effort yet.
The album’s first single, Miss Jackson, is the ultimate comeback song, with a storming chorus, Urie’s super smooth vocals and a hook to rival anything on fan favourite album ‘A Fever You Can’t Sweat Out’.
Fans might be fazed by the injection of electronics throughout - particularly on tracks such as Vegas Lights - but the singalong choruses are still here and, if anything, the synth platform gives the band a new kick.
Collar Full harks back to Panic!’s past with a familiar composition and melodies, while album highlight Casual Affair is an emotional offering with a fantastic hook. Far Too Young To Die is almost entirely based around their new sound, from Urie’s digitally manipulated vocals to synths and a drum machine, and it might just be the album’s best track.
While most of the songs on ‘Too Weird to Live…’ are hits, there are a few misses. Girl That You Love sounds like an old disco track – not in a good way – while Nicotine is overly repetitive and unimaginative when compared to the band’s best material.
‘Too Weird to Live…’ may not be as strong overall as ‘Vices & Virtues’, but the good certainly outweighs the bad. Old fans will understandably have their reservations, but once you immerse yourself in the music this latest move feels like a natural progression.
Sun November 17th 2013 - NOTTINGHAM Rock City
Mon November 18th 2013 - EDINBURGH The Picture House
Wed November 20th 2013 - MANCHESTER Academy
Thu November 21st 2013 - LONDON Forum
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