Pretty Odd, indeed.

So, for some reason I picked up the new Panic! at the Disco album, Pretty. Odd. A fitting title for me since up to this point I've kind of despised the band. No reasons in particular- I guess, mostly just because they seemed to be an overnight success and I'm a cautious observer of the popularized force-fed acts. They also just kinda bugged me, the vocals often sounded too much like Fall Out Boy, and at the time I was content with Fall Out Boy being the leaders of the exaggerated pop-punk evolution. Having put myself in the haters boat, I'll now jump out into the merky, mascara waters and put this album at the top of my list so far for 2008. It pains me to say it, but Pretty. Odd. is an excellent album, I say that specifically as it is not 15 tracks burned onto a disc- it's an album. That in itself is refreshing to me. The songwriting is very strong and world's away from the corner their last album almost pinned them into, while still sounding like, well them. But good.

I don't know how to explain it, it's really a bold album and one I think will wiggle them into fan's arms they never would have on their old path. They could have easily done another album like the last, and the fans would have bought it, but the fact that they didn't has earned my respect. Not only did they branch way the fuck out, but in my opinion, they succeeded. I hear so many classic influences here, but done in their way, and it just works. It's got the dynamics of The Beatle's Abbey Road, while still being a modern interpretation of where "alternative" music should be going. It raises the bar, and hopefully it will breed more thoughtful experiments with bands in similar shoes to step up. I'll end by saying even if you hate Panic! at the Disco, go buy this album now! I set up a link below so you can sample some tracks, give it a chance.

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click here to sample a few of my favorite tracks

visit the band: Panic! At The Disco

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Busy Bee

Man, owning a home is quite time consuming at times I haven't had to seconds to turn around in a while. I also am doing a project for a band called Seabird doing their new album art. They're a really cool band that has a good sound (http://www.myspace.com/seabird) and I've enjoyed working with them so far. I also just finished up album art for an instrumental band called MAPS from Nashville, TN- their release: "The Wick And The Fire" will be out this spring. I highly recomend checking them out, they are really incredible. (http://www.myspace.com/maps) Other than that I've been installing gas ranges, cleaning gutters, and some light plumbing. I've turned into qutie the handy man, and I am proud of myself for doing it myself. I am so looking forward to spring- I need more sunlight! Well back to listening to the new Rogue Wave album, Asleep at Heaven's Gate- which is absolutely amazing!

-l

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