Where do I start? This is just bloody amazing. Mashing the lyrical sarcasm of Fallout Boy with the beats and samples of Head Automatica, plus throwing in the sleaziness of Las Vegas for good measure, you have a band destined for absolutely huge things. Recently we’ve been spoiled with some fantastic pop-punk records by bands like FOB, Cartel, Valencia and Race The Sun, but this, in my humble opinion, tops the lot. It has everything. Sure, the songs sound familiar, but in a pop-punk CD you’re not looking for originality; you’re looking for songs that make you sing, scream, dance and smile like a Cheshire Cat. ‘A Fever You Can’t Sweat Out’ will make you do all of the above. Probably at the same time.
I’ve read a few reviews with various criticisms about Brendon Urie’s vocal style, suggesting it’s just a rip-off of Patrick Stumpf from Fallout Boy. And then there’s the lyrical wit and similarities to FOB’s Pete Wentz. And yes, they do sound similar. But cast that aside and enjoy this disc for the happy genius that it is. The intro kicks things off with some swirling samples, before the immense ‘The Only Difference Between Martydom and Suicide is Press Coverage’ launches itself head-on into a full blooded pop-punk attack. The first thing to notice is that Brandon’s vocals are almost a copy of Patrick from Fallout Boy, but then he in-turn ripped off Jamie Woolford (ex-The Stereo) anyway. What P!ATD manage to do in every single song is create a hook the size of Holland – it’s impossible not to sing, dance and throw your arms around like you’re a young kid who’s forgotten to take his Ritalin. Of course as ‘The Only Difference…’ shows, P!ATD are more than a FOB rip-off band – the heavy dance beats and rythmns that shake-up the middle eight could be found on any dancefloor on a Saturday night – mash the soaring melodies and hooky guitars with a dance-beat and you’re clearly on to a winner.
‘London Beckond Songs About Money Written By Machines’ sounds absolutely enormous, the vocoder adds an extra layer to ‘Nails For Breakfast, Tacks For Snacks’ and ‘Camisado’ has the most delicious vocal melodies, so much so I’d be quite happy to dine on them. The line “You can take the kid from the fight but you cant take the fight from the kid,” is just one of many that really hits home for me personally on this record. It’s that personal connection which I think serves Panic! really well. If there was one song I’d say that I didn’t like as much as the others, it would be ‘Time To Dance’. Even then it’s a great song. But then…
‘Lying is The Most Fun A Girl Can Have Without Taking Her Clothes Off’ is possibly the best song I’ve heard all year. Seriously. I’ve listened to this song over and over and over again (probably because I can empathise with the lyrics more than anything right now). “Well Is it still me that makes you sweat? Am I who you think about in bed? When the lights are dim and your hands are shaking as you’re sliding off your dress? Well Then think of what you did and how I hope to God he was worth it.” Throw in one of the catchiest choruses this side of the Avian Flu (“Let’s get these teen hearts beating faster, faster!”) and you have a hit waiting in the wings.
And so we go on – the start to ‘I Write Sins Not Tragedies’ sounds like a scene from a Tim Burton movie, before exploding with a HUGE chorus. The lyrics again reference the sleaziness of their home city, referencing liars, back-stabbers and, something they do on many occasions, weddings. But do the great songs end there? Nope. ‘There’s A Good Reason These Tables Are Numbered Honey. You Just Haven’t Thought Of It Yet’ is another killer song that just tops off how great this album actually is.
Within six months Panic! At The Disco will be huge. They have a sound that is destined for large venues, MTV, radio and a killer video that compliments their youthful looks will have them on every magazine cover in the land. Think I’m over-egging the pudding? Just wait and see.
“We’re just a wetdream for the webzine, make us hit, make us hip, make us scene,” they scream during ‘London Beckond Songs About Money Written By Machines’.
Where’s my change of pants?
www.panicatthedisco.com
Fueled By Ramen/Decaydance Records
Paul