Released: Mar 18, 2011
Genre: Alternative rock, emo, pop punk
Label: Decaydance, Fueled by Ramen
Number Of Tracks: 10
The Beatles-esque arrangements from the bands sophomore album are more or less non-existent on this release.
Vices & Virtues
Reviewed by:
Shawn1379, on april 07, 2011 3 of 3 people found this review helpful
Sound: As the band's first album since the departure of guitarist Ryan Ross and bassist Jon Walker due to artistic contrasts, it's no small surprise that their new album, Vices & Virtues took a different direction than their last.
The Beatles-esque arrangements from the bands sophomore album are more or less non-existent on this release. In their stead are a mash-up of several musical styles equating to what most would call theatrical pop-rock. They've basically gone back to the style of their debut release, and kept a little bit of the flamboyance and flair from their second album.
Possibly the most impressive thing about the album is the production. There are several layers of sound in many of the tracks, including rhythm guitar, lead guitar, bass, synth, drums, orchestra, etc, and you can hear everything very well.
While the instrumentals might not sound technically impressive, that's not what the album is going for. If you're looking for something fun to listen to, and you're into pop, pop-rock, or lighthearted music in general, it's likely you'll enjoy this album. // 8
Lyrics and Singing: The lyrics are fun and fulfill their purpose. They don't seem quite as imaginative as those found on their previous album, but they're easier to relate to and more practical.
Overall, the lyrics generate feelings of love, lust, and a bit of regret. Lines like "I led the revolution in my bedroom", might come off as cheesy to most, but lines like that are few and far between.
As for the singing itself, as usual, Brendan Urie's vocals are superb. Even with a few cheesy lines, he manages to sell it all quite convincingly.
The album's last track references the first track, which is nice. It gives the album an almost "everything coming full circle" feel. It may not sound like a big deal, but it makes this feel more like an album as opposed to a collection of songs. // 7
Impression: If you're a casual listener, and you like fun, lighthearted tunes you'll almost definitely enjoy something that this album has to offer. You should definitely give it a chance.
The fact that the band didn't shatter under the pressure of two members leaving, and they managed to release a solid album is wonderful. The only issue I have is the fact that it's under 40 minutes long. That's a bit too short for my liking. However, it should be noted that with the bonus tracks, the album is about 55 minutes long.
Key tracks include Sarah Smiles, Trade Mistakes, and Always.
I hope this review was helpful. This is my first, and I wanted to review something no one else had reviewed yet. If you have any criticisms or advice, please comment. Thanks in advance. // 8
Vices & Virtues
Reviewed by:
dominicmorlan, on july 28, 2011 0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Sound: Panic! At The Disco has always had a different sound, some hybrid between synth rock, pop, and alternative. That being said, while it may seem like a different type of music, they are GREAT at making it work. In this they actually venture into using even more than their already impressive lineup of classic instruments, opening "The Ballad Of Mona Lisa" with a vibraphone, and an acourdian in "Sara Smiles" to name a few. Don't fear though, they did not lose a single step on their drum, bass, and guitar parts in the process. Overall they sound a lot more like they did on their first album "A Fever You Can't Sweat Out" than they did on their second album "Pretty. Odd", which, while I LOVE "When They Day Met The Night", is definatly an improvement. // 8
Lyrics and Singing: Panic! has always been a band that produces interesting lyics, and this album is no different, but the beauty of it is that it is a very good kind of different. One new addition to their lyrical themes is found on their in the form of their song "Always". On this track, lead singer Brendon Urie actually preforms a ballad, and a good one at that, exploring his impressive upper range singing on basicially the entire track. Their different lyrics seem to be the yin to the yang of their different kind of sound, so overall it works really well! // 9
Impression: As I said previously, Panic! seems to be heading in the direction of some of their older stuff, which is something that I think anyone bothering to read this review would love to see! In the event that someone would steal this from me, I would undoubtably buy this album again! Some tracks to look out for are "The Ballad Of Mona Lisa", "Hurricane", "Memories", "Always", and "Nearly Witches (Ever Since We Met)". // 10
The first review of this album where the listener didn't flat-out slate Pretty. Odd, so this is the first review I've actually read: kudos on that. Had a listen to it as well, but I just feel it aint as 'out-there' as AFYCSO or their second release. Still a nice album, though
Good review, and I agree. It steps back to the unique "circus/burlesque pop" of the first album while also taking in a handful of typical pop rock. The leaving out of the bonus tracks was a real bummer, especially knowing that one bonus track (Oh Glory) is just a demo (I felt it was the strongest of all the new songs).
But all in all it's a very happy pop album that fans will love. I like to relate it to the happy version of A Fever You Can't Sweat Out.
Of course, everyone's entitled to their own opinion. Personally, I was very disappointed in this album. The reason I got interested in Panic! was because they struck the perfect balance. They were young and earnest, but they shared a love of modern music and classic rock, along with some very archaic vaudeville/burlesque theatricality. Pretty. Odd was a huge step in their musical maturation, and people started crying The Next Beatles! Then two of them went off to form The Young Veins and the other two hung onto the Panic! moniker. Both of these new daughter bands released lackluster albums (IMO), and I hope that it's just a matter of time before Ryan and Jon get back together with Brendon and Spencer, realizing that their diverse influences were what made them special in the first place. Now they fit solidly into the glut of similar bands that are decidedly in-the-moment, but lack whatever it is that could elevate them to higher status. To paraphrase their earlier work, Panic! at the Disco are losing the feeling of feeling unique.
I think the best track on the album is Memories, but I like the songs you chose as well.
Haha, to be perfectly honest, it was hard for me to pick only 3 songs, but on a 10 track album, I felt that putting more than three would be too much. Memories probably would have been my fourth and Hurricane my fifth.
@the99thaisle
I actually somewhat agree. I like P!ATD's new album, but Pretty. Odd. was something special, and it always will be to me. I've listened to it loads, and when I first got V&V, I was a bit disappointed as well, but it grew on me.
I'm glad I didn't review it at the first listen like I planned because I really didn't get a chance to soak everything in.
Thanks so much for the comments, guys. This is my first review, and I really tried to make it a good one, but I can already see several ways my review could have been better and more detailed. I'll probably write another one soon. Maybe an old album, just for practice.
I enjoyed this album. I wasn't expecting A Fever You Can't Sweat Out. Instead I expected a return to their burlesque/carnival pop instead of The Beatles 2.0. I didn't like Pretty.Odd. that's just me but V&V did well and I agree Memories is great!
I might give this a miss. I absolutely hated A Fever You Can't Sweat Out: not a fan of that record at all. However, Pretty. Odd. was a good record and I love quite a few of the songs on there. Since reviews have been telling me that this album is more like their first, I'm pretty sure I won't like it. That's a little disappointing, but I'm not really surprised. I'll probably give the singles a listen, but if I'm not impressed I won't be bothering with this album.
Their first album came out and gave the impression that they were a "Emo" band. They Released pretty odd. to erase that rumor. This album has defenently reflected the first and some of the elements of the second.The album is called vices and virtues for a reason. Look them up. Over all I love how this album turned out, and was very anxious to see more when The Ballad of Mona Lisa came out as a single. My conclusion, one of their best albums ever!
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