Pretty Odd

If you're reading this, chances are you're not one of this band's fans, but are likely a, shall we say, "more mature" music fan acting on a recommendation or a hunch. My quick tip is that if you like the Beatles, the Beach Boys, ELO, and other '60s and '70s-era orchestrated rock/pop music, you owe it to yourself to get this CD. It might take you a few listens to thank me, but I think you will. I think this is an important album in its own way, a brilliant album, inspired and beautiful. It's become one of my favorite albums.Let's just say I'm waay outside this band's demographic--I'm 47, a rock musician for 30 years, and I tend to listen to "musician's music." I look for serious musicianship and songwriting, and I usually ignore emo and other teen styles. I can't stand Blink 182, Good Charlotte, Jet or Fall Out Boy. I bought this for my 13-year-old daughter for Christmas after hearing "Nine In the Afternoon" coming out of her room many times, and thinking it sounded pretty cool. I've still never heard their first CD, though I like the single. But since giving Pretty.Odd. a spin to see what the fuss was about, I must admit I am totally blown back by this album. It does walk a fine line between homage and copy-cat, but I guess it doesn't matter to me--I love it. I've been recommending it to all my musician buddies, and they're all loving it too. It's got all the sonic elements of a George Martin-produced mid-late period Beatles album, but with modern recording techniques and equipment. There have been so many "next Beatles" tags thrown out there by the media that I stopped paying attention years ago. All those promises faded into forgettable obscurity. But I think this one might stand the test of time--though unfortunately the band broke up not long after releasing it.And that's a telling insight into the polarizing nature of this album. Even the band didn't agree on it. There are some haters out there, and they seem to come in two main categories: a) younger fans who can't stand that this isn't part 2 of their first album, and; b) people who think it's too much of a Beatles rip-off. And to be fair, there are plenty of Beatles tropes, from the "Get Back" beat of Pas De Cheval to the "Good Morning" horn section of Mad As Rabbits. The production by Rob Mathes is some of the best I've heard, far beyond a mere George Martin ripoff. Just Google the guy and check out his credits. This is a dude who has written piano arrangements for Ray Charles, cello arrangements for Yo Yo Ma, and vocal arrangements for Luciano Pavarotti, just to name a few. If you love the Beatles and think you might be offended by someone sounding like them, I guess this might not float your boat. But if you love the Beatles I think you've got to at least check this out to see for sure--to me the original sound of this band shines through, giving this album its own unique flavor and flair, but it's a sound you will be instantly comfortable with, like an old pair of Levi's. To my ear the orchestrations here are even more brilliant and well-integrated into the music than Martin's legendary work on Sgt. Pepper and Magical Mystery Tour (both of which I've owned for many years, and am intimately familiar with). If you like an album that's full of well-crafted, evocative songs performed flawlessly, and augmented by visionary orchestral arrangement and production, you're gonna like Pretty.Odd. If you're curious what kind of album George Martin might make today if he had a cutting edge pop band at his disposal, look no further. This is an album full of instantly catchy toe-tapping songs, that also rewards repeated listenings with a ton of intriguing detail. I'm sure I'll still be listening to this one years, even decades from now.So do yourself a favor, keep an open mind, and pick up a copy of this CD or download it to your Pod. This is a "headphones album," so throw on some good ones, relax and prepare for an experience. From the very first song you'll be transported to a friendly place you might have thought didn't exist any more--a happy, summery place where the colors are psychedelic and the music makes you smile. It's kind of old fashioned, sort of brand new. And all good. You'll be glad you tried it.

My son loves this group and I was able to get 2 of their latest CDs as a gift for him. He is very happy with the music.

I always thought of Panic At The Disco as just another pop / rock wannabe band similar to Fallout Boy or a host of others. In other words, not a band to be taken seriously. Shortly after this album came out I kept hearing the single "Nine In The Afternoon" on my local music channel, and then caught a live concert broadcast of the band on HDTV. I ended up watching the whole show and something about these guys really captured my attention, so I took a chance on this album. I am certainly glad I did. "Pretty Odd" takes its main influence from The Beatles as there are many similarities to the "Sgt Pepper" era here. The diversity of the album also hearkens back to the days of Queen's more adventurous work like "A Night At The Opera". This is not to say that the album is a retro release. Although it takes influences from the past the band manages to stay modern and fresh. Fans of the band seem to give his album really mixed reviews. The level of maturity between their debut and this album is a giant leap, but some of the band's fans don't seem to be able to handle this. I like every track on this disc and it is right near the top of my best of 2008 list of albums. If you enjoy really well done pop / rock, with a bit of a retro psychedelic, experimental bent this album is a much purchase. With all of the generic bland crap being released these days, "Pretty Odd" is a breath of fresh air. I just hope that the general public can tolerate a popular band that is willing to step out on a limb musically and try something different from their peers.

Boy oh boy oh boy. There's a lot to be said about this album. Compared to Panic! At The Disco's other works, this has a feel all of its own. This is one of the albums out there that just totally takes you somewhere else.The music is energetic and lively, soft and meaningful when it needs to be. The lyrics are top notch and well thought out, but what else would you expect from Ryan Ross? I've listened to this maybe twenty times over already. The songs are all very good at telling their individual stories and giving a look into the lives of the men who wrote them.Is this my favorite Panic! album? Yes. Is it the last (although only second) album of theirs to have this level of lyrical prowess and a true feeling of togetherness? In my own opinion, yes. This is going to be one of those very few albums that's truly timeless.I'd recommend this album to absolutely anybody. Rockers, emos, pop punkers, and people who just need some goodness in their life. Ryan's (and occasionally Brendon's) lyrics mixed with Brendon's vocals, Spencer's percussion, and string work by Jon and Ryan create something that just won't leave your head.

Good quality and was protected during shipping! My favorite patd album

The media could not be loaded.  Álbum veio com a capa levemente amassada e está com peguemos pulos e chiados em partes de 3 faixas do lado A, incluindo o final de "Nine in The afternoon", lead single do álbum. Mesmo limpando o pó que estava grudado pela estática da embalagem, diminuiu mas não sessou o problema. Um amigo informou que pode ser problema de prensagem. Uma pena.

El cd es increíblemente buenoLa entrega se hizo a tiempo y en perfecto estado

There's not much more to say about it than that. The cd art is also very pretty which is a bonus

I ordered this product for my granddaughter, it arrived so promptly, well before Christmas. When she opened it, her eyes lit up, best gift, best gramma :)Thank you

new cd came really quickly!