clouds are singing' a song

So, two albums that have been rocking my world lately: Cut Copy - In Ghost Colours and Panic at the Disco - Pretty. Odd. However, I will not be writing about the Cut Copy album that much, because I'm sure all the reviews have to say the same thing about it -- that it is one handsomely crafted IndieElectronicDance album. Lights & Music, Unforgettable Season, and So Haunted are three of the best tracks on the album, if you're in the mood for a taste test. But, if you have 7 dollars to drop, that's how much it costs on ITunes so I'd recommend just getting the entire thing.As for Pretty. Odd., though. Where do I even begin? It's different. And by different I mean a completely different Panic at the Disco than the one that was on A Fever You Can't Sweat Out. Don't get me wrong, I loved that "old" Panic (or Panic!, I should say). Well, not the Panic that evolved during and post-radio airplay, but the Panic I saw singing their hearts out opening for Acceptance at the Glass House, and the Panic I saw commanding an entire crowd at the House of Blues in Anaheim just by the sheer power of well-executed live music. I wrote a post a while back when I saw them play the Wiltern (hosted by KROQ) about how disappointed I was with most of the show -- it was one giant clusterfuck of theatrics, stage antics, and random props that made little sense to me -- a giant distraction away from what made Panic, Panic -- catchy dance tunes, simple but melodic guitar riffs, and hard-hitting vocals that made you want to put your fist in the air and sing along. I remember walking out of the Wiltern feeling betrayed by a band that I used to hold so much respect for, because it seemed they had -for lack of a better phrase- "sold out". I also felt like I was betraying the band. What gave me the right to judge their new live performance? Maybe that was who they really wanted to be.Well, it turns out that Panic themselves must've been on the same page, or at least the same book, as me, because the renewed Panic, post removing the exclamation point from its name, seems to be less focused on theatrics and eyeliner, and more about music that you'd put on your IPod on a bike ride through town or a drive along the coast line in the summer. Pretty. Odd. is a giant leap away from the emo/pop/vaudeville/inspired rock from the first album and is, instead, heavy on the acoustics, piano, and horns, particularly trumpet. In some tracks, I also feel like I'm listening to a a mix of a younger Oasis and the Beatles, which probably sounds confusing because this was the same band that used to sing about strip joints, addiction relapses, and adultery. I'm sure there are some "old" fans that fell in love with 'Panic!' and Brendon Urie in guyliner, that probably put this CD on and thought to themselves, "What the hell? Who is this. I thought I got a P!ATD CD." Sure, it's still Panic at the Disco, but its a more mature and refined one. I won't be retiring A Fever You Can't Sweat Out, but Pretty. Odd. will certainly be taking rotation precedence. I can't stop listening to "That Green Gentleman (Things Have Changed)" which apparently is the next single, so definitely check that one out if you have some time. Anyway, if you're in the mood for some genuinely great melodic, catchy, pop-rock, this album is the one for you.