Album Review: Panic! At The Disco – Too Weird to Live, Too Rare to Die!
2 min read
After first bursting onto the scene with their massively popular debut album A Fever You Can’t Sweat Out in 2005, two subsequent albums, line-up changes and dropping then re-instating the exclamation mark in their name, Panic! At The Disco return with Too Weird to Live, Too Rare to Die!
The trio from Las Vegas are known for re-inventing their sound with each album and their new 10-track collection sees them take on an 80s synth-pop-punk style which is at times quite reminiscent of a Fall Out Boy record.
The album begins with This Is Gospel, an anthemic pop-rock tune which is catchy as Hell from start to finish. The song shows off the talented vocals of Brendon Urie as he yells the chorus (“If you love me let me go…”) and glides through the verses.
Next up is the album’s lead single Miss Jackson, featuring Lolo. As the first single this song is a good representation of the album – catchy and poppy but maintaining the classic P!ATD rock hook. This song is so infectious and guaranteed to have you dancing in your seat, but is so similar to Fall Out Boy, especially during the chorus where I almost had to check I wasn’t playing one of their songs instead.
The subdued Girl That You Love is full of synth-pop beats and auto tuned voices, sounding very 80s influenced. Panic! took a risk with this one, which is probably the most out-there track on the record.
The synth beats continue into the outrageously addictive Nicotine (pun intended), a hyper dance party track which starts relatively calmly before bursting into the chorus, and the pop-rock tunes Girls/Girls/Boys and Casual Affair.
Things slow down towards the end of the album in Far Too Young To Die, with its subdued verses over synth pop beats and rock drums and pop friendly chorus.
The peppy Collar Full brings the party back with its upbeat choruses and electronic beats before the album winds down to a close with The End of All Things. The piano heavy closer is the slowest and simplest track on the album, again showing off Urie’s vocals in this soothing ballad.
Too Weird to Live, Too Rare to Die! is another example of Panic! At The Disco’s chameleon-like ability to re-invent their style and remain fresh album after album. The album is full of perky tunes perfect for the dance floor or just when you need a lift. Incorporating 80’s style synth and auto tuning to their theatrical pop-punk-rock style, it is an enthusiastic record which will fit right in any fan’s collection.
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