Alright, so I want to start this out by saying that I am an in-the-closet Panic at the Disco fan. I have been for YEARS. I think their first album was pretty decent, for being a bunch of witty, literate, high-school students. I respect them for being good songwriters, decent musicians, and flashy dressers. I do not, however, like how "the scene" morphed them into every teenage girls' wet dream.
It's bad of me to do so, but I illegally downloaded this album five days before it was supposed to come out (on March 25). It has just been getting a lot of good reviews lately, so I figured I'd check it out.
Now I can't stop listening to it. Seriously. I love it. It has folk, country, and classic rock influences, and it is a million times better than their debut. Don't get me wrong, I love synth-pop, but I like this style a lot better. Lead singer Brendon Urie's voice is better accented by an accoustic guitar than a synthesizer. These boys have definitely grown up, in many ways. The lyrics are still witty and quotable, and the music is still catchy and entertaining, but there are definitely more adult themes on some of the tracks.
I really hope this album isn't overplayed like their last one, but I still hope it is successful enough to keep their third one in this same style.
Even if you despise their first album (which seems to be the popular thing to do), check this out. It might as well be a different band.
That being said, the "gallop" on "Pas De Chaval" is insanely addicting.
Oh, and there is no more "!" in their name. Thanks, Wikipedia.