| I have this idea that the music that I listen to varies in accordance to the seasons of the year. Winters in Missouri made me want to listen to screamo and hardcore while spring is the time for short happy pop punk tunes, summer is the time for relaxed music and the fall is mostly melodic pop-rock and country season. This idea was born from living in places that had marked seasonal changes. Now i'm not quite sure where all of you reading this live, but the seasons here are incredible to witness taking place. The Panic Division's Songs From The Glasshouse is a perfect example of one of those quintessential summer albums, and is deservedly on heavy rotation for me.
While I try to deal with the overly steamed and hot summer we're having this year, The Panic Division provides that idyllic porch sitting ambient music that reminds me watching the sunset over the trees during warm and real summers. There are jangly tunes, bouncing guitars, rocking vocals, and slamming drums; the best feature by far is Holliday's vocals. He has a crisp, strong tenor that tends to stay on the higher range, which gives him a distinctive timbre.
“Here We Go” is probably the best track on the album; a sparse tempo backs Holliday as he sings a deceivingly urgent and fast song that is the perfect accompaniment for any activity other than lounging on your patio/porch/rooftop/treetop.
The Panic Division appeals to many different sensibilities and tastes without falling specifically into any particular genre, and this is something truly refreshing and goes along very well with the current output from labelmates Lovedrug and the rest of the punkers who are stripping back to basics with endearing results.
~ Wayne
July 27 2007 |
