The Panics

After years of pub-playing strife that included an Australian Recording Industry Association Music Award from The Land Down Under, The Panics have finally exported to the US with their 2007 album 'Cruel Guards'. I was stoked to get this album, since last week was such a bore with Manchester Orchestra...I actually liked listening to this! While they're "indie", they are not obscure sounding or experimental in any way...certainly a safe listen. With horns added to several tracks, there's a grand, U2-esque quality (though much less pompousness) to their particular brand of rock, with plenty of reverb just the way I like it. The band formed when all the members met on the fist day of high school and became friends because of their similar haircuts...gotta love the vanity factor. Don't think too far into that however, for when they were asked how they stayed in shape, they replied,

I have a body like ET

. Damn, I know that's the kinda man I'm looking for. Regardless, these Aussies can rock my down under on a regular basis with this album. Let my dirty fetish for accent-bearing musicians continue...

Tracks: Feeling Is Gone, Get Us Home, Don't Fight It