Now a duo, PATD previews their back-to-synth-loving new album
The exclamation point is back for emo (sometimes psychedelic) rockers Panic! at the Disco and it couldn't be clearer during a punched-up hour-long set at Bowery Ballroom that previewed new material from the band's forthcoming "Vices & Virtues" release. The show marked the official live debut of the newly halved duo (Brendon Urie and Spencer Smith are the remaining members from the original foursome).
While various vaudevillian-dressed fans, Bruno Mars and much of NYC's rock media watched, the band played the big hits from synth-bounce debut "A Fever You Can't Sweat Out" and follow-up "Pretty.Odd"—the later a collection streaked with the vibe of dad favorites Tom Petty, The Beatles and Ricky Skaggs. The new songs lean more towards the former—with ‘80s keyboard cheese and cello-violin parts powering the giant hooks. Think Poindexter's violin solo in "Revenge of the Nerds." The darker "Ballad of Mona Lisa" has a radio-ready melody. And that's likely where you'll hear PATD with their confident second act. —Matt Rodbard
