- By Keith Valcourt
- Photo Courtesy of the Artists
Brendon Urie is not a simple man. Over the process of five records, the leader (and sole original member) of Panic! At The Disco has proven to be one of the most complicated and constantly evolving rock stars since… Okay I’ll say it. David Bowie. No surprise that Panic! At The Disco’s latest CD is another giant step forward with a tip to the past. Urie/Panic channel the crooning singing style of Frank Sinatra over a combination of modern hip hop beats and old school 1980s inspired keyboard riffs. They even go so far as to make good on a years old promise and sample the B52’s “Rock Lobster” on the track: “Don’t Threaten Me With A Good Time.”
Stand out tracks include: Urie’s love (or is it hate?) letter to the “City Of Angeles” called “LA Devotee,” the dare you to dance “Golden Dance” which name checks Farrah Fawcett and the arena anthem “This Is Gospel.” My personal favorite is “Crazy +Genius.” which is an urgent swing dance Louis Prima meets Fall Out Boy jam complete with horns, glorious horns.
I was lucky enough to catch the band live earlier this year and was blown away. They will be back on the road this summer with Weezer. Do yourself a favor, get a ticket. And get this CD.
For all things Panic! At The Disco, click here.
