Review Summary: PANIKON is a special album. It grows slowly, requiring repeated listens to fully appreciate, but it is totally worth every second. It's a hidden gem awaiting to be discovered.
It’s amazing how, after having listened to this album countless times, it still sounds as fresh and enjoyable as the very first time.
PANIKON is a special album. Not the ordinary debut release one would expect from an indie/alternative rock band. Grimus already had more than 20 original compositions when the time came to enter the studio, so they were forced to leave out almost half of them. Every track that made it on the album expresses different emotional states or feelings: confusion, fear, hope and despair, lack of confidence, insanity, sickness, addiction and protest.
Musically, there are so many things going on. The album opener, "Confused", introduces the listener to the sound of Grimus and masterfully sets the pace for what's to come. Panikon mostly features up-tempo, straightforward songs: "In a Glimpse", with its storming chorus, a spectacular composition; "Backseat Driver", light and playful, the first single, first number one hit and first video; "Different Color Shoes", a wonderful and energetic song which benefits of some excellent guitar riffs, "Insanity", an addictive track that makes you want to jump around like crazy, "Just Pray" and "Addiction", with sticky choruses that just won't leave your head and the pounding indie rock anthem "Elephants". All other songs feature some progressive touches here and there, with very skillful songwriting and intricate arrangements. There's the sad "Ready For It", which speaks about the passing of a loved one, with an explosive ending that will send shivers down your spine at each listen; "Political Animals", a track which is considered by many to be the greatest on Panikon, made up of two distinct parts which flow seamlessly into one another; there's "Mild Disease", which builds slowly and erupts into a million of beautiful sounds, a truly incredible composition; and last but not least, a very special ending, "Time To Be Good Friends", featuring guest vocals by Dan Byron, starting off with a drum-machine loop that reminds of Radiohead, climaxing with both voices racing each other and dying out with a keyboard arpeggio going out-of tune, like a broken music box. You’ll hear many musical flavors throughout Panikon: from Muse, The Killers, Incubus and Placebo, up to Radiohead and even some hints of Porcupine Tree. However, Grimus delivers with class, blending them all seamlessly into its own original sound.
PANIKON is indeed a special album. It grows slowly, requiring repeated listens to fully appreciate, but it is totally worth every second. It's a hidden gem awaiting to be discovered.
