My review for PATD's new album, and yes, I'm ADD when it comes to school.
First, let me say I'm SO glad it's getting good reviews. Well, all right reviews. Pretty much everyone agrees the lyrics aren't quite as up to par as one would wish, but the music makes up for it, and it's a damn ambitious second album. This is a complete 180, and they're getting credit for trying, which is more than enough.
However, I'm a bit biased. I think it's pretty damn amazing. It's one of those albums that's so different, you're pretty assured PATD is going to gain some fans and some credit, and lose some fans as well. But really, if fans leave them just because they went in a different direction, those really aren't fans at all. Why have people around who just want you to play the same old thing over and over again? I wouldn't have minded another album like Fever, but Pretty. Odd. is full of fresh ideas, not to mention some damn fine producing.
The Beatles influence shines through in most songs. We're So Starving is screaming Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, but I liked the different angle. In songs like She's A Handsome Woman and Pas De Cheval you can hear the obvious Harrison-like guitar Ryan Ross is strumming these days. Brendon's voice has matured and I like hearing him sing some lower notes (try When The Day Met The Night and Folkin' Around), which is nice this time around. And can I tell you how happy I am to hear Ryan sing (Behind The Sea, Mad As Rabbits)? It's also nice to hear the orchestra shine through (The Piano Knows Something I Don't Know and From a Mountain in the Middle of Cabins, as well as Nine In The Afternoon). What do I like most about this album? How cheery it is. It's a big jump to go from music so bitter and biting to something so bubbly and optimistic. I think, in this day and age, it's so easy to do the former and get an audience for it, so I applaud them going to the opposite direction.
But there are some downsides, two being the most obvious: lyrics and the album as a whole. As far as lyrics go, I disagree that the lyrics aren't catchy and/or smart as their previous album. You can still find some good hooks, but on the whole, the lyrics miss their mark. But, honestly, look at Fever. So many good hooks, there's practically one in every song. Wouldn't it make sense that with such a lyrically-driven first album we'd be a little disappointed in the second? The only other basic complaint I have is that the songs don't tie together. If you don't believe me, listen to the album front to back. Doesn't it seem a little jumpy? But, PATD took on so many types of music that it'd make sense for it to sound a little jumbled. I mean, c'mon. You have a folk song, a 70's-funk song, a couple classic rock songs (from Beatles to Beach Boys), and even a song that sounds as if it comes from an old 50's record. Unless you were making a homemade mix CD, you really wouldn't find those songs together on the same album. Fever had a techno beginning and an intermission transitioning the new into the older-themed vaudevile end. It seems whatever Fever had Pretty. Odd. seems to lack (and this isn't a bad thing). However, those are my two complaints.
It does take a few listenings for Pretty. Odd. to sink in. The songs are good and since listening it in my car for two days, I've got a couple favorites up my sleeve. However, as far as I've seen, this sophomore attempt takes a bit to get used to, and is that really surprising? We're used to our old PATD, rose vests and exclaimation points with witty phrases and techno beats to catch us off guard. Only this time they're sweeping us off our feet with their melodies and music instead of lyrics, shocking us in a more subtle way. And I wouldn't have it any other way.
My opinion? Give it a chance. I've read people who weren't PATD fans to begin with, but, after taking a few hits of the new album, are now giving them another chance. If you like 60's music, chances are you'll be amused by Pretty. Odd., an aptly named title for such a feat as this.
THAT WAS SO MUCH LONGER THAN EXPECTED. I really don't expect you guys to read that.
School is a drag again. Who figured?
I don't think my family takes me seriously on the issues I really care about, which is such a shame.
The Paul/Heather divorce is over...OR IS IT? Really, I didn't think much of Heather to begin with, but I'm really starting not to like her. (Honestly, what did she think? When has the media ever really villianized a Beatle? I'm sure there have been times...but not many. She should know better.)
I know this is weird, but I need some cheering up. Anyone have anything that's making them happy? Please share?
p.s. - Nina, could I steal The Wild Party from you? Not the Lippa, the other version. With Toni Colette and Mandy Patinkin and all. I LOVE YOU.
[can't buy me love]
However, I'm a bit biased. I think it's pretty damn amazing. It's one of those albums that's so different, you're pretty assured PATD is going to gain some fans and some credit, and lose some fans as well. But really, if fans leave them just because they went in a different direction, those really aren't fans at all. Why have people around who just want you to play the same old thing over and over again? I wouldn't have minded another album like Fever, but Pretty. Odd. is full of fresh ideas, not to mention some damn fine producing.
The Beatles influence shines through in most songs. We're So Starving is screaming Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, but I liked the different angle. In songs like She's A Handsome Woman and Pas De Cheval you can hear the obvious Harrison-like guitar Ryan Ross is strumming these days. Brendon's voice has matured and I like hearing him sing some lower notes (try When The Day Met The Night and Folkin' Around), which is nice this time around. And can I tell you how happy I am to hear Ryan sing (Behind The Sea, Mad As Rabbits)? It's also nice to hear the orchestra shine through (The Piano Knows Something I Don't Know and From a Mountain in the Middle of Cabins, as well as Nine In The Afternoon). What do I like most about this album? How cheery it is. It's a big jump to go from music so bitter and biting to something so bubbly and optimistic. I think, in this day and age, it's so easy to do the former and get an audience for it, so I applaud them going to the opposite direction.
But there are some downsides, two being the most obvious: lyrics and the album as a whole. As far as lyrics go, I disagree that the lyrics aren't catchy and/or smart as their previous album. You can still find some good hooks, but on the whole, the lyrics miss their mark. But, honestly, look at Fever. So many good hooks, there's practically one in every song. Wouldn't it make sense that with such a lyrically-driven first album we'd be a little disappointed in the second? The only other basic complaint I have is that the songs don't tie together. If you don't believe me, listen to the album front to back. Doesn't it seem a little jumpy? But, PATD took on so many types of music that it'd make sense for it to sound a little jumbled. I mean, c'mon. You have a folk song, a 70's-funk song, a couple classic rock songs (from Beatles to Beach Boys), and even a song that sounds as if it comes from an old 50's record. Unless you were making a homemade mix CD, you really wouldn't find those songs together on the same album. Fever had a techno beginning and an intermission transitioning the new into the older-themed vaudevile end. It seems whatever Fever had Pretty. Odd. seems to lack (and this isn't a bad thing). However, those are my two complaints.
It does take a few listenings for Pretty. Odd. to sink in. The songs are good and since listening it in my car for two days, I've got a couple favorites up my sleeve. However, as far as I've seen, this sophomore attempt takes a bit to get used to, and is that really surprising? We're used to our old PATD, rose vests and exclaimation points with witty phrases and techno beats to catch us off guard. Only this time they're sweeping us off our feet with their melodies and music instead of lyrics, shocking us in a more subtle way. And I wouldn't have it any other way.
My opinion? Give it a chance. I've read people who weren't PATD fans to begin with, but, after taking a few hits of the new album, are now giving them another chance. If you like 60's music, chances are you'll be amused by Pretty. Odd., an aptly named title for such a feat as this.
THAT WAS SO MUCH LONGER THAN EXPECTED. I really don't expect you guys to read that.
School is a drag again. Who figured?
I don't think my family takes me seriously on the issues I really care about, which is such a shame.
The Paul/Heather divorce is over...OR IS IT? Really, I didn't think much of Heather to begin with, but I'm really starting not to like her. (Honestly, what did she think? When has the media ever really villianized a Beatle? I'm sure there have been times...but not many. She should know better.)
I know this is weird, but I need some cheering up. Anyone have anything that's making them happy? Please share?
p.s. - Nina, could I steal The Wild Party from you? Not the Lippa, the other version. With Toni Colette and Mandy Patinkin and all. I LOVE YOU.
[can't buy me love]