by Al Shield

Created on: May 27, 2008

I pity the sledgehammer/ dumptruck/ nuclear weapon that tries to dent Panic at the Disco's enthusiasm, as it has a very tough task ahead of it. With a swag of infectious radio hits already under their belt from their first outing - 'A fever you can't sweat out', there was plenty more fun and good times predicted for the follow up to the debut from Panic at the Disco. It took a while (the album was started in early 07, then completely rewritten in July last year to be released early in 08) but finally Panic injected enough happy into it for themselves to feel complete.

And once again the lads from Las Vegas have returned with another effort brimming with the guitar and piano driven happy, the eccentric and the insanely catchy. Try to find a station not spinning the sing-along 'Nine in the Afternoon' (which is big relief from the horribly overplayed Mika's 'Big Girl: You are beautiful) then try even harder not to hum along with it.

Panic's familiar almost circus fun time inspired mix of dance and rocky pop is joined by a host of other styles on Pretty Odd, including the Beatlesesque 'Behind the sea' and even a dab of country in 'Folkin around'. A world changing collaboration of styles it's not but still a nice mix that makes a slice of Panic ideal if you need some brightening up or a light album that doesn't require too much focus. You can practically hear the fun they had in putting this together, a refreshing change from bands struggling to either a) get along or b) have fun come album time.

You'll be happy to know too that Panic's fondness for strange song titles (remember 'Lying is the most fun a girl can have without taking her clothes off?') returns in this release with creations such as 'The Piano knows something I don't know' and 'She's a handsome man.' Where they get half of these track idea names is beyond me but it's worked well for the team in the past and no doubt will continue long into their careers.

Although the lead track 'We're so starving' points out the similarities between their first and current album 'We're so sorry we've been gone, we've been writing songs for you, you don't have to worry, because we're still the same band', Pretty Odd is more bubbly, a little more laid back and not as fast paced as Fever was. Regardless of how many times you will hear Nine in the afternoon, Welcome to the sound of pretty odd more than makes up with it with plenty of catchy songs you'll either find yourself joining in with or trying your hardest to get out of your head.

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