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Here's a quick recap of every review I've read of Panic at the Disco's long-awaited sophomore album, Pretty. Odd., on sale today: It's Beatles-esque. It's flowery and full of horns and strings (mixed in and arranged, appropriately, at Abbey Road). And it's considered dangerously ambitious, apparently, because of those two totally true things.
Here's what I find amusing: Their first disc, A Fever You Can't Sweat Out, was ridiculously ambitious and confident, especially given the members' average age was about 18.5 when it came out in late 2005. Where that CD was a gay cabaret dance party about sexual obsession and all the tragic ways philandering will lead to despair, Pretty. Odd. is the rocking, harmony-driven, stoned afternoon you spent making out with your new boyfriend. The album winds its way through 15 songs that are by and large about giving yourself over to sweet romantic nonsense, catapulting to a triumphant, all-band final chorus that demands, "We must reinvent love!"
Here's the only other way I can think to say it: Panic 1.0: Boys proving they're old enough to have sex and have it screw up their young ideas of happily ever after. Panic 2.0: Young men obsessed with the love that dare not speak its name -- by which I of course mean their album-wide fixation with the weather and celestial bodies. This is the epic love story of the sun and the moon, the day and the night, the green fields and little bunny rabbits. It is also ridiculous and ambitious. And so of course I love it and think it's completely wonderful.
For sheer ridiculousness, here, enjoy one song set to footage of the Muppets:
Also they have been given the weirdest gift in the form of the week's strangest bedfellows viral video: Jessica Alba and friends lip-syncing the first single, "Nine in the Afternoon."
Stream the full album at AOL Music and then pick up the deluxe version at iTunes. (Or, you know, watch this quick-trigger fan's rip of the album-only behind the scenes video for "Mad as Rabbits." This is the best part of being shameless about your obsessions, people: Everyone you know sends you every great gem they find that you might like!)
Previously > Panic @ spring break > Not-so-lonely hearts club band > Is Panic! Pretty, Gay?
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