On Oct. 8 Panic! at the Disco released their fourth album “Too Weird to Live, Too Rare to Die”. The album has a very different sound from their previous ones, drawing on influences from 80s synth-pop and hip-hop.
In an “ask me anything” session on the social media site Reddit Oct. 10, lead singer Brendon Urie answered fans questions for an hour. On changing the band’s tune from “A Fever You Can’t Sweat Out” to “Too Weird to Live, Too Rare to Die”, Urie said, “I love changing our sound from one album to the next. It helps to keep it all exciting and new. Fans will stay and fans will lose interest. All I can say is thank you to those who stick around.”
The album sets the tone with the first song “This is Gospel”. The lyrics are honest and full of meaning. With Urie’s auto-tuned voice the verses sound like he’s giving a eulogy as the tune builds up to the main chorus. You can hear how Urie gives it his all as he sings, “If you love me let me go/If you love me let me go/’Cause these words are knives that often leave scars/The fear of falling apart.”
After hearing the album for the first time, it takes a few more listens to develop favorites and get used to the new sound. Songs like “Girl That You Love” and “Casual Affair” take you to a new level of Panic! at the Disco with Urie singing in an almost flat, monotone voice throughout the verses. It’s not boring but takes time to adjust. Other tracks, like “This is Gospel” build up to a strong chorus with loud vocals. It’s enough to make anyone listening want to belt out the lyrics with Urie.
Panic! at the Disco may have dropped the long random song titles but they still have an interesting way with words in the lyrics. “Nicotine” compares the ex-boyfriend/girlfriend to being as bad as nicotine yet addictive and hard to quit. Sample lyrics: “Just one more hit and then we’re through/’Cause you could never love me back/Cut every tie I have to you/…But I need it so bad”.
In a recent video release, Urie strips down to the waist in “Girls/Girls/Boys”. In an interview with MTV, Urie said he always wanted to re-create the D’Angelo video for “Untitled (How Does it Feel)”.
The band has come a long way since they got together in 2004. They’ve struggled with losing members and having a band member dealing with addiction. All this has led to the growth and maturation of the band, which shows in the composition of “Too Weird to Live, Too Rare to Die”.
Since the album release, the band has started touring in Europe. They will return to the U.S. in 2014 and have two Florida dates in February.
Sources:
(Reddit) http://www.reddit.com/r/Music/comments/1o5mhl/hey_im_brendon_urie_from_panic_at_the_disco_ask/
(MTV) http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1715400/panic-at-the-disco-girls-girls-boys-video.jhtml
http://www.altpress.com/news/entry/brendon_urie_panic_at_the_disco_hosting_reddit_ama