'Too Weird to Live, Too Rare to Die' by Panic! At the Disco Album Review

Panic! At the Disco released their fourth studio album this week, and Too Weird to Live, Too Rare to Die is much different than their past work. Their first album A Fever You Can't Sweat Out was the soundtrack to my seventh and eighth grade years, then Pretty. Odd. was a huge disappointment, Vices & Virtues was released a mere two years ago and tried to recreate the magic of their debut LP in which it almost succeeded. With their latest offering, the band has re-hit their stride, taking what made them famous in the first place and meshing it with '80s synth pop and '90s indie-rock to make a quite enjoyable album. Too Weird is a concept album in that it explores the glitz and glamor of Las Vegas which is important because that is where the band was formed and started their rise to stardom. The band has had a rocky few years, with members leaving and the bringing in of new ones, but lead singer Brendon Urie has kept the band afloat and I think he's finally put the band back on the map. Upon a first listening, the album seemed to disappoint. It was too "indie" and didn't feel like the band I grew up with, but after giving it a few more listens I have fallen in love and can really appreciate how they've grown as a band and matured. Too Weird may not be the weirdest thing you hear all year, but it's definitely one you should devote a mere half hour of your time to.

1. This Is Gospel - 9/10

'This Is Gospel' is one of the best Panic! songs on this album, and it made for a fantastic second single. The video in particular blew me away. I think this is a great way to start the album because it's pop-y enough that it hooks you, but it's also got enough of that indie feel which invades the rest of the album and gives you a slight taste of what's to come. It's also got some of Brendon's best vocals on the album mixed with raw passion.

2. Miss Jackson (feat. Lolo) - 6/10

As many times as I have listened to this song, I still haven't grown to love it. On it's own it's decent, but when it's put into the context of the larger music scene it just comes off as a total ripoff of Fall Out Boy's 'My Songs Know What You Did In the Dark (Light 'Em Up)' and genuinely unoriginal. I don't think Panic! needs to rely on this sound because they've got a strong enough fan base to keep them afloat without going too commercial. Read my original thoughts on the song HERE.

3. Vegas Lights - 9/10

Aptly titled, this is the first song on the album where we get introduced to Vegas which is ultimately what this album is all about. I really love this song, as we go more indie than Panic!'s ever gone before, but it also has a twinge of '80s synth-pop, a sound which I very much enjoy and has really been making a comeback lately. It's just a big, fun track.

4. Girl That You Love - 7/10

With this next song, we remain in the realm of '80s synth-pop and build upon it a bit more. The song is more laid back, Brendon's vocals giving off a subdued vibe. It's a song that I could see being played in a movie when someone's on an acid trip or something to that effect. It's a vibey song, not standing out but not being easily forgotten.

5. Nicotine - 10/10

This, to me, is the first big standout track on the album. 'Nicotine' starts off with a punch, rearing it's head, ready to blow you away. This is where the indie-rock and '80s synth-pop meet and create an awesome track. I think why I like it so much is because it reminds me of Panic!'s iconic debut album, A Fever You Can't Sweat Out. It has that same feel to it, and I just love how Brendon sings the song. It's his signature Panic! voice.

6. Girls/Girls/Boys - 8/10

The band decided to release a video for this song on Tuesday, and it featured Brendon but naked. Unfortunately it didn't show off enough. However, the video is a really entertaining one. We've moved from the pop into more of the rockier portion of the album, this song mimicking Duran Duran in some respects. The song doesn't really go anywhere musically, but it's a standout track nonetheless.

7. Casual Affair - 10/10

With 'Casual Affair' the band takes us on a ride, going for a darker, more obviously-produced sound. It's a big, anthemic song, with building synths backing Brendon's beautiful falsetto. It's the most experimental song on the album, and as weird as this sounds, it actually reminds me of Madonna's Ray of Light album, in particular 'Frozen.' It's got that pleasingly odd sound that you can't help but to listen to over and over again.

8. Far Too Young to Die - 9/10

If you will, this is the title track off the album, invoking the idea of being far too young to die. This is Panic! showing off their lyrical prowess, and again it reminds me of the magic that A Fever You Can't Sweat Out gave off. It's Panic!'s signature sound but with lots of synth-pop, making it their biggest synth track to date which I love. It's unique and pleasing to the senses.

9. Collar Full - 8/10

With 'Collar Full' we go more '90s rock, reminding me of the All American Rejects, but then the more experimental side of Panic! kicks in and we get more synth accompanied by bells. It's a mixture between old Panic! and all the musical influences that have been on display during the course of this listening experience. And then it even has a bit of signature Green Day guitar riffing during the bridge.

10. The End of All Things - 7/10

As the song's title mentions, this is the end of not just this musical experience but also to the journey that the band has taken as they rose to fame and left Vegas behind. The song starts out with just piano and Brendon's voice slightly muted behind it, this style carrying through the whole song. It's quite beautiful, especially when the violins come in and literally tug at the heartstrings. It's far from being one of the best on the album and it may be a bit sleepy at times, but I think it ties a bow on the end of this album, wrapping it up in the best way possible.

Tracks to Check Out: 'This Is Gospel', 'Vegas Lights', 'Nicotine', 'Casual Affair' and 'Far Too Young to Die'

Overal Rating: 8/10