No.44 - ‘A Fever You Can’t Sweat Out’ by Panic! At The Disco (2005)

“Please, leave all overcoats, canes and top hats with the doorman; And from that moment, you'll be out of place and underdressed; I'm wrecking this evening already and loving every minute of it; Ruining this banquet for the mildly inspiring…”

The mid 00s saw a boom in the emo and punk pop genre, with new bands smashing into the UK charts. The likes of Paramore and Fallout Boy, among the more popular emo-pop bands, were joined by the ever intriguing Panic! At The Disco. With an ever-increasing popularity and widening audience, it is their debut album that enters my list at 44.

Alongside the popular song from the album, ‘I Write Sins Not Tragedies’, we have a plethora of incredible songs, pulling in a vast array of musical styles. Mixing their upbeat rock with the likes of trance/techno, classical, bouncy beach boys pianoesque rock, disco, baroque, waltz and even big band; it certainly is one of the most unique rock albums you will ever come across. Singer Brendon Urie cites influences of The Beatles, Queen, Name Taken, The Smiths and the Keane song “Everybody’s Changing”.

This album is the result of a band willing to push any musical boundary they desired. Having just graduated from High School, the band hadn’t even played together live when they were signed to Pete Wentz’s (Fallout Boy) label. They remarked, after being exhausted from the weeks of constant recording, that they “had to learn how to be a live band”. 

It is evident that they love to tell stories through their songs. Lyrics are poetic and many of the lyrics are influenced by writer Chuck Palahniuk (Fight Club, Invisible Monsters, Survivor). The unbelievably long song titles poke fun at other bands in the emo-pop genre who were quite known for this. Overall, if you want something a little different, from a pretty odd band, give this excellent album a listen.

Panic at The Disco formed in Las Vegas, 2004. With many lineup changes, the name is now reduced to the solo project of singer Brendon Urie. This album reached No.17 in the UK and 13 in the US, with sales going platinum in various countries. ‘A Fever…’ was released on vinyl and the black variant resides in my collection.

Favourite songs - There’s a Good Reason Why These Tables Aren’t Numbered Honey You Just Haven't Thought Of It Yet, But It’s Better If You Do, I Constantly Thank God For Esteban, I Write Sins Not Tragedies

Other great albums - Vices & Virtues (2011), Death Of A Bachelor (2016)





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