REVIEW: MXPX - PANIC
RELEASE DATE: JUNE 7, 2005
I should not be reviewing this album - at least not to a mixed crowd. Since sophomore year of high school I have been investing in all MxPx has to offer, and reviewing one of their albums is difficult unless handing copies to my friends and other MxPx fans.
This review WILL be biased - no doubts there, but this is an album I've been waiting to hear and share with everyone - which is why I obtained it before its release date, ruined the experience of a new MxPx album, and decided to spoil it for the rest of you!
Let's put it out on the table, Before Everything and After was easily the most pop MxPx had ever gotten. Everything Sucks (When You're Gone) as a single should sell that concept to you right now. I didn't hate BEAA, I just missed the MxPx that could create an album worth of crowd pleasers. An MxPx set list is hard to tamper with after years of music, and BEAA didn't have many songs which could hold up to their past. Fortunately, the band went back to the drawing board and released an album which offers a few punk rock gems. While the album isn't quite as good as their past CDs, it really shines at some points and even when it doesn't, you won't find much filler around. The album is quite solid, and if anything it excites any fan into hoping for a great progression in albums to come. In fact, reviewing this album almost compels me to get away from the letter grading and move to a five star scale. I believe B would be the equivalent of three stars, yet a B looks more impressive. Regardless, here's what I think:
1. The Darkest Places - An exciting return to form for MxPx. This song really brings you back to the days of "Slowly Going The Way Of The Buffalo" with quicker lyrics, more distortion, and the extra punch that BEAA sorely needed. An absolute perfect opener to blaze away from their past album. A+
2. Young and Depressed - MxPx don't miss a beat as they churn into this track. Once again, I can't help get the old school MxPx feel as I hear this album. While it may not have the same insane percussion work that Life In General had, the verses bring a nostalgic feel that fans can't avoid. This song has some quick verses with a catchy chorus which maintains the slight dark ambiance this record has already been glazed with. It's great to hear MxPx singing about anything relating to depression rather than eating popcorn while watching The Late Show. A-
3. Heard That Sound - This is considered their first 'single.' SideOneDummy is too independent to release anything over ClearChannel, but has MxPx ever gotten such a privilege? Even on three albums worth of material on a major label? They haven't - which surprises me as to why they'd make such a radio friendly song as this even as they move away from A&M. Regardless, this song has the typical MxPx feel, but doesn't really do too much for me. Don't get me wrong - it maintains it's place with the rest of the album, but it's clearly meant to open new listeners to the band. A mid-tempo track with catchy riffs and harmonies. The last minute or so justifies a song which is a pop-infused notch above filler. B
4. Cold Streets - So far, this song is a little more edgy than the others. A song about loneliness is still nice to hear after such a sugar coated, ear-to-ear grinning album like their previous effort. Darker distortion fills Mike's chants of "I hear the cold streets callin me!" Verses build into a more uplifting chorus, of course. A good example of what this album is about, although not the most ambitious song on the album. B
5. The Story - Taking the heavier influences a step further after the last track, MxPx begin with a churning verse displaying vocals that remind me more of an emo attempt on Mike's part. It doesn't feel quite in place, but my personal history as an MxPx fan may stand in the way of that. The chorus redeems any of the discomfort of this song. It maintains the catchy punk rock that MxPx got me into. Another good example of what MxPx is going for on Panic. B
6. Wrecked Hotel Rooms - Reportedly the slowest song on this album, Wrecked Hotel Rooms has the usual MxPx production (most recognizable in choice of guitar work) while providing decent vocal harmonies with Mark Hoppus' accompaniment. I can see this song being a fan favorite for concerts even though it's not entirely appealing to me. Hoppus adds a nice touch to the track, and Wrecking Hotel Rooms does add a nice touch to this album as a whole. B-
7. Late Again - Maybe it's my long standing support of MxPx coming across again, but this is probably one of the most unique pop efforts they have had. The song has an acoustic/electric guitar fusion bouncing across a country (no worries) rhythm. It could also be compared to an Irish influence a la the Pogues or Dropkick Murphys, particularly when they are all chanting the chorus as the beat goes on. This song could be seen as annoying after repetitive listenings, but I'm going more with the catchy appeal of it. It's one of those tracks that you'll be searching for after you "skim" over the CD your second time. A-
8. Kicking and Screaming - This song offers a hard-punching chorus while few verses surround it. A pretty straight forward song is delivered with more abstract structure. Aside from the repetitive breaks into the chorus, this song is enjoyable to listen to purely due to the familiar MxPx formula disrupted by the occasional attempts to evolve into something fresh for an album that has supported just that. B+
9. Grey Skies Turn Blue - This song was already released on their B-Movie DVD/CD combo. It's nice to hear the plugged version of this song. I wasn't too into the acoustic version, but this has definitely revived my interest in the song. I would say this song has the most similarity to what was offered on The Everpassing Moment. It's hard to ignore the Costello-influenced keyboard effects. B+
10. Emotional Anarchist - For those intrigued by the title, this song is about a person who avoids any emotional stimulation because of past scars. This song grew on me from the start. Very catchy, yet very different in MxPx terms. The track comes and goes in barely two minutes. Worth it's weight on the album without a doubt. A-
11. Call In Sick - Easily the most familiar MxPx song on the album. This could have been on any of their past three albums. It has the tone of Slowy Going the Way of The Buffalo, the chorus of Everpassing Moment, and the bridge of Before Everything and After. If you aren't following any MxPx references, this is a very memorable, very bouncy popfest of punk. MxPx did well to place it on this album. If they hadn't, it may not have gotten the edge it needed to blend in with the rest of Panic. I can't help but get a nostalgic feel when I hear this song, and now my bias kicks in. A+
12. Get Me Out - Such a strong departure from the last song, and although "Get Me Out" is the hardest track on the album, this isn't something MxPx haven't done before. Slowly Going the Way Of the Buffalo had "Fist vs. Tact," which offered the same effect. I do like "Get Me Out." It succeeds at the screamo attempt more than I thought they were capable of. It's also worth its weight on the album primarily because it doesn't put much weight on. Two minutes come and go, and we are listening to track 13, but "Get Me Out" did not go unnoticed. B
13. Waiting for the World to End - A good song with unique production choices. A hint of strings accompanies the track here and there surrounding the usual catchy melodies and harmonies. Strong lyrically as well - something which I haven't commented much on up until this point. While not the best, it is certainly one of the stronger songs as a whole. B
14. This Weekend - I have to start by saying that this is a much better version of "GSF." Hardcore MxPx fans will feel offended since GSF has been an endearing B side for quite some time, but there are reasons it was a B side and This Weekend is not. A slow bounce surrounds this closer. A perfect song to end a perfectly imperfect MxPx album. Play this one for your girlfriend when she asks who MxPx is (after you play Punk Rawk Show, Tomorrow is Another Day, My Life Story, etc. etc.) A
