The unique indie rock quartet from Canada named after an Edmonton Chinese restaurant release their third studio album.
After a solid debut album and a tepid sophomore release, the band returned to the studio and laid down 11 tracks for this disc.
Go Outside is a much more cohesive than their last release and a more cogent album than their debut outing. The music itself is still non-standard, often times discordant, melodies with lots of alternative sounding, feedback-laden guitar riffs and frontman Chris Connelly's less raspy, Julian Casablancas-lite crooning style that will appeal to indie music fans because of its nonconformist ways.
For those fans that do like hard indie music, you will be in for a real treat. The album gets going right away with the pulse pounding "One in the Head, One in the Chest" and continues for the first five tracks through "Maybe Now" mixing in both prog and acid touches, plus going acoustic on one track, to maximum effect.
Go Outside isn't the most accessible disc being released this summer and it will only appeal to small group of indie music fans but those fans are going to be very impressed with the music found on this album. The album also grows on you with repeated listens so don't expect to fall in love with it on your first spin.
While their last disc lost some of the momentum built by their very solid debut, this album redirects their trajectory back into an upward direction. A well paced album with lots of indie quirkiness to fall in love with, especially during the first five tracks.
Score: 7.5/10
Song(s) to Sample: "One in the Head, One in the Chest", "Future Markets" and "Maybe Now"
This is the debut album from Mr. Pan!c, nee Gerald Roesser, who is, according to the band's website, "a Detroit-based multi-instrumentalist, vocalist and songwriter" who "grew up with a steady diet of techno and Morrissey." Good 'nuff for me!
In fact, once you start listening to the music on this disc, you would be able to figure that much out by yourself with the heavy New Wave influenced melodies plus backing beats that sound like laid back versions of Detroit techno ditties (think: Derrick May on multiple ambien).
Considering this is basically a one man band, Mr. Pan!c is able create a real vibrancy with his richly layered music that will have you humming along or tapping your toe before you realize you are doing it.
This album will appeal more to people that grew up loving New Wave or Britpop music, but the songs are catchy enough that fans of Pop, and especially electropop, music should also give the disc a shot.
The bouncy tunes have instant appeal and Mr. Pan!c has learned how to craft songs with hooks that evoke high levels of fun and entertainment while still trying to get his message across.
For a debut album, Fight! Fight! Fight! delivers on multiple levels and is very impressive. Let us hope we get more releases from The History of Panic that can match or exceed this disc down the road.
Score: 9/10
Song(s) to Sample: "Anthem for Panic", "Out of Control" and "Own Up"
PROGRAMMING NOTE: I'm out of town next week so there won't be any new reviews until the following week. Thanks,
-Dunner
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