After the immense success of A Fever You Can't Sweat Out, members of Panic at the Disco gathered at a cabin in their native Nevada to work on a follow-up. They decided to scrap the end product, which is described to have been about 75% of what would have become the band's sophomore LP, and started from scratch, to release Pretty. Odd the following winter. In comparison to the debut, which draws from pop punk and electro punk among other influences, the second album features a more chilled-out sound: The Beach Boys and The Beatles notes come across clearly, which is definitely a detour from the songwriting that drove most of AFYCSU. Orchestral sounds and layered melodies combine with whimsical vocals on songs like "She Had The World" and "From A Mountain In The Middle of the Cabins," and country folk-leaning tunes like "Northern Downpour" and "Behind The Sea" are also highlights. Other tracks to check out: "Nine In The Afternoon," "That Green Gentleman (Things Have Changed," "When The Day Met The Night," and "Mad As Rabbits.

• music label: Fueled by Ramen 2008 / 2017

reviewed by enbee 02/2017