Panic! At The Disco Strikes Up a Firm Hallelujah Chorus But Not Much Else

Quirky describes Panic! At The Disco to a tee. Remember "I Write Sins, Not Tragedies?" Amusingly enough the title was nowhere to be found in the lyrics. Shows the Las Vegas based act plays by its own rules. The thing holding the current "Hallelujah" back from other efforts isn't lack of humor. Try avoiding the stupid broad grin while hearing the main chorus. Up front you receive drumming worthy of the congregation busting allure the band's trying to shepherd into plain sight. If "Hallelujah" was a meal I'd say it was something on the order of a slightly jazzed up rice crack rather that the appetizing buffet singles like "I Write Sins Not Tragedies" push front and center on the sonic palate. A mere two members comprise the 2015 version of the band, said two being Brendon Urie the mastermind behind lead vocals, rhythm guitar, keyboards, and piano along with Dallon Weekes on bass guitar, synthesizer and backing vocals. Does "Hallelujah"'s chorus offset the dearth of meat to put on the bones? Unfortunately I have to disagree. It's peppy no lie, but what's in play here would be a too short song with not enough of a solid gimmick to buoy interest beyond a set slot. "I Write Sins Not Tragedies" skipped along gleefully, you could say with a dash of malevolent octane tossed in for good measure. "Hallelujah", using a horse reference during Kentucky Derby month, gets stuck in one trick pony territory. Unofficial band mate Dan Pawlovich gets my respect for how he applies due style to drumming and in so doing gives us reason to suspect larger flights of fancy are on their way. You know how you receive word about a fabulous new restaurant and can't wait to taste what the buzz is about for yourself? You try out a main entree only to discover it's not worth the sweat equity farmers labored with to bring the food to your table. Similar wagging of finger could be applied to "Hallelujah". Upfront you're led to believe you best get ready for a tour de force of power packed harmonies. Instead we're given chorus overload. True it's a likable chorus but certainly not one of those confections you'll want swishing around in your mouth weeks, months, years later. To show I'm not fixated on negative conclusions I'll admit the band members are in sync on the chorus which makes you want to root for them. Musically the two avoid sliding into overwrought bombast terrain. They get cutesy without thinking what they're imparting constitutes the message of a lifetime. Good time rock means good times ought to factor somewhere in the cook's broth. That it does. At the close instruments go silent save piano. The dramatic snap isn't diluted as a result. Brendon Urie now stands as the only original member remaining in the band. He's as stalwart a vocalist now as back in day one. No overly imagined frills. No screeching into the mike. Quite simply makes his statements then allows the climactic "Hallelujah" to carry him home. "Hallelujah" shouldn't be condemned but please, watch how effusive you get with the praise. Not much is warranted.