Skip to main content

IN REVIEW: Panic! At the Disco - "Pray for the Wicked"


On his second record as the sole remaining member of Panic! At the Disco (fifth for the band overall), Brendon Urie uses a small army of songwriters to help bring some Broadway flare and a heavy dose of modern pop sheen to the proceedings. It's a far cry from the band's emo beginnings, but Urie's neo-debauched Rat Pack motif lends itself to the music that's been created here.

As different as the music may be from what fans of Panic's early work might hope for, there's an effortless cool on display here, alongside a mountain of sharp hooks and some smartly used samples. Say Amen (Saturday Night) is a clear early favourite, boasting a massive, horn-fueled chorus (and, thanks to outside help and samples, a total of fifteen songwriting credits, but that's pop these days).

There are smash hits waiting to happen up and down the track list, like the slinky and groovy Hey Look Ma, I Made It, the percussive and triumphant anthem High Hopes and the propulsive banger The Overpass, to name a few. There's a stickiness and a sheen to this album that lends even the biggest missteps a tasty groove or an ear worm to latch onto.

That said, there are a few clunky lyrics and overly busy moments here and there that slow the momentum somewhat, though this is by and large a very quickly moving (11 songs in 34 minutes) and consistently entertaining record. The energy is high throughout, with the exception of closing ballad Dying in LA, which establishes itself as the sobering aftermath of the preceding party.

Overall, Pray for the Wicked is a very effective summer pop record that is smarter and sharper than most pop; it's also successful in appealing to a rock fan like me who, despite not fully getting on board with the band when they were, you know, a band, can appreciate the gall it takes to drag old time aesthetics into the future in such a bombastic and enjoyable fashion.

June 22, 2018 • DCD2/Fueled By Ramen
Highlights Say Amen (Saturday Night) • High Hopes • The Overpass

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Year in Rock 2025

  Alright, I've got some explaining to do.   By now anyone who's visited this blog is well aware of how infrequently I've used this space in recent years; aside from the occasional fertile year of content, I really haven't posted all that often over the last five years or so. There are many reasons for this, which have already been outlined in previous apology posts; but, essentially, it boils down to my own laziness and the cold reality that blogs are, like Refused (again), fucking dead. So, I wouldn't hold my breath for a triumphant return to reviews, or even semi-regular posts, but:   a) I feel like Year in Rock posts have always belonged here and, even though I've experimented with different methods of presentation recently and been satisfied, the "blink and you missed it" unveiling via Facebook stories this year was perhaps ultimately a disservice to the records I lauded. After all, cramming the list into short videos isn't too far off from ju...
Post a Comment
Read more

Year in Rock 2014: And the Winners Are...

It's been a long year, and another great one for rock n' roll. While the pop charts were overrun with barely legals obsessed with their asses, rock soldiered on undeterred even as pundits (hell, in some cases even rockers themselves) mourned the genre. Sure, rock didn't dominate the money game in 2014, but that shouldn't evoke sad nostalgia and eulogies. Even for as little perceived impact rock music made, a hell of a lot happened if people had only paid attention. From grizzled vets adding jewels to their crown (Springsteen, Petty) to new beginnings (Against Me!, Antemasque) to happy returns (Faith No More, The Tea Party) and all points in between, rock continued to thrive, evolve and thrill in 2014. Enough talk. It's winning time. Your Year in Rock winners for 2014 are...
Post a Comment
Read more

Hear Me Out: Why Do A Greatest Hits Album?

So, Silversun Pickups announced a "singles collection" today. Now, I'm no expert on "singles" or "hits" compilations; even so, I've got to say this announcement threw me for a loop for a couple of reasons. For starters, isn't it a bit early for a band like Silversun Pickups to be given the "greatest hits" treatment? I know, I know, it's a "singles collection". But, come on; it looks like a greatest hits album, it smells like a greatest hits album, so on so forth. More importantly, though, are these really necessary entities in 2014? I mean, who is this album for? Casual fans who've already downloaded the singles they like or established fans who are expected to shill out $15 for one new song?
1 comment
Read more