‘The Ballad of Mona Lisa’ has been described as ‘...sounding a whole lot like ‘A Fever You Can’t Sweat Out’, and with this being Panic At The Disco’s best (but sadly, least successful in terms of chart positioning) album to date, this can only be at thing! The storytelling and incredibly stylistic format of the track is something I am sure many a Panic fan has missed greatly. The ‘new’ sound, which frontman Brendon Urie has named ‘a new beginning’, of is down to Ryan Ross and Jon Walker leaving the band on July 6th 2009, (and not forgetting that of Brent Wilson in May 2006), as well as heavy influences from the likes of Muse (listen attentively to the drum beat) and Fall Out Boy, especially within the chorus. Having stated that, this could be due to Fall Out Boy (R.I.P) bassist, Pete Wentz’s influence upon it with Panic being signed to his label.
Although the lyrics appear to not be aimed at a particular individual, the track remains personal because it was wholly written by (if that’s possible in a band consisting of two members), Brendon Urie. Urie has been quoted saying he originally wrote the song to express his apparently infinite struggle with his personal convictions, ‘...the inner struggle...growing pains.’ It was actually written before the band had begun to piece together their third album ‘Vices & Virtues’, on which, ‘The Ballad of Mona Lisa’ is featured.
The track itself describes the difficulty of a relationship with a person who refuses to physically portray their emotions. It also pin-points the habit of over thinking, ‘Her words are spinning through his ears again...’. Although Urie, with his charmingly smooth vocals, has conjoined his personal woes to an imaginary story, the track, specifically the haunting chorus, is lingeringly memorable, smart and a massive punch in the face for any past critics. It is clear no one can accuse Panic of being sell outs with the eerie pop style they utilise. The song is incredibly anthemic, do the point where you can practically hear the festival crowds shouting back.
It has long been difficult for critics to place Panic! At The Disco within a genre of sort, so fans have settled for definitions such as ‘Emo’ and ‘Baroque Pop’, which remains so with help from this new track. Something that is certain is that, judging by the reception at the band’s ‘comeback’ gig on 8th February in London, is that this is something the fans embrace. Unusually, there is nothing cheesy about the track, despite it concerning complicated relationships. Urie’s voice in particular, is full of energy, charisma and charm, which are three aspects that simply cannot be taught.
Panic! At The Disco have retained their unique, enchanting style, although they appear to have matured since 2005. But there is defiantly something surrealist and supernatural about Panic’s style; something that cannot be defined, which is sure to keep ears pricked for years to come.
Watch the full music video of Panic! At The Disco’s brand new single ‘The Ballad of Mona Lisa’ here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gOgpdp3lP8M&feature=branded . Their new album ‘Vices & Virtues’, with ten brand new tracks including ‘The Ballad of Mona Lisa’ is set for release on 29th March this year.
4/5
4/5
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