Versus

The Panic Division | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 1, 2005)
• Original Release Date: 2005
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Militia
• ASIN: B000BI0WT0
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #126,710 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

hatesomethingbeautiful.com, Fri Sep 23, 2005 1:22 pm

Rating: 9.1/10 - The Panic Division’s debut embodies heartfelt and sincere vocals rivaling any of Billboard’s chart-toppers today.

SPIN, September 16, 2005

one of the best bands... Laying synth undertones with hooky rock melodies... emotive, catchy songs...

See all Editorial Reviews

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars overlooked hidden talent! amazing, April 11, 2006

By 

A. Martin "believe labs dot com" (Denver, CO, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Versus (Audio CD)

A band who it seems have been overlooked for far too long, The Panic Division's blend of aggressive, punchy rock and blasting choruses are not to be ignored. "Versus," the album originally recorded and released by the band themselves almost a year from its re-release on The Militia Group, compiles 11 shimmering rock songs. Electronic loops and blasting guitars find their way through the breed of rip-off bands out there, with rather ordinary but nonetheless catchy vocal stylings and melodies.

The title track, "Versus," rips. As the drums blast away and the song kicks into full gear, you can't help but be suprised at the way the song sinks its teeth into you. The electronic looping is done suprisingly well, and breaks the band out of its shell, shining through on tracks like "Paradise" and "Sweet Devotion" especially. Truly, "Sweet Devotion," with its atmospheric intro and mad riffing guitars, sounds huge, enormous. Key tracks "Songs Of A Dead Poet" and "Paradise" all expose the insane catchiness and passion of the band, and while at moments the production might sound a little weak, overall it's obvius this band is meant to and do sound enormous, especially in their impressive live act.

Noisy and intense, "Versus" is what happens when a band who know their favorite styles in rock and hardcore make an album that is purely driven on melodies and original, interesting electronic synth looping. This album is absolutely insane, and incredibly underrated, and will undoubtedly pump up anyone's day. Go grab yourself a copy already.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent CD, March 29, 2006

By 

Chris (San Antonio, TX) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Versus (Audio CD)

I've been listening to these guys for years now, back when they were 'Carbon 12 Theory', I've even lived with two of the members, and can say they are very hard working, and extremely dedicated when it comes to their music. This band deserves to finally get out there and be heard by a much larger audience. This is their first national release, but they've made so many other great songs, a few of them have made it to this CD.

1. Versus: 5/5 Great opener, starts off fast, and strong.

2. Goodbyes: 5/5 I love the opening of this song, and the rest doesnt dissapoint.

3. Automatic Synthetic: 3/5 The original version was excellent, Its hard for me to listen to this one and not want to play the old version. It still brings a lot to the album.

4. Paradise: 5/5 Another strong, emotionally charged song.

5. Songs of a Dead Poet: 5/5 I actually enjoy this one much more than the older version, the keyboards added a great touch.

6. Little Child 4/5 Good song, its more of a "break" between songs, sets a good mood.

7. Sweet Devotion: 5/5 Great song, fast, loud it even has some screaming.

8. Easy Target: 4/5 Starts a little slow, dark sound to it, but the chorus is great, catch.

9. Questions and Answers: 5/5 I love this song, great lyrics, great sound to it.

10. Delta: 3/5 Not as good as the original, but its still a pretty good song.

11. DWI: 5/5 One of my fave's on this disc. Great drums, just an all around good song.

Overall, I'd say this is a really good disc, and a great band. If they come to your city, you have to go see them. I've seen numorous shows and they've all been excellent.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars AbsolutePunk.net Review For: The Panic Division - Versus, January 3, 2006

By 

Rohan Kohli - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Versus (Audio CD)

Let's do a little mind experiment, shall we? Take The Jealous Sound, de-indie-fy them, inject them with a 300% dose of hard, heavy rock, heap layers upon layers of dark, atmospheric, electronic textures on the band's palette, and marvel at the product: The Panic Division. The band's Militia Group debut, Versus, is an exceptionally crafted, melancholy, dark, electronic-based, spacey, heavy-hitting, pop-tinged rock record; yes, it's as good as it sounds.

Whereas many bands these days scatter electronics throughout their songs simply as an afterthought, The Panic Division actually writes their songs based off the electronic loops they create. Such a process results in a very genuine sounding record: the electronic loops and keyboards weave in and out of the songs gracefully, never coming or leaving abruptly, but always setting the mood and helping to carry the songs where they need to go. Weaned on such artists as Aphex Twin, DJ Shadow, and Snapcase, singer Colton Holliday says the band tries to combine electronic and rock music "the right way." Well, Mr. Holliday, The Panic Division has succeeded. With flying colors.

When I listen to Versus, I am immersed in a world all my own. The mood the album creates is one I empathize with: melancholy, and a sense of loneliness. Err, I guess that makes me sound like I'm depressed, but I'm not. It's just a warm feeling to know that other people can create music that sounds the way I feel at times-after all, isn't that what music is about? Whenever I listen to the album, I feel like I'm wandering around in a desolate, urban, city late at night, just walking and thinking. Yeah, that's pretty weird, I know, but the album does that to me. And I love every second of it.

The rich, textural electronic samples perfectly complement the heavy, hard-hitting guitars, and though I've said this before, the fusion of the two really is remarkable. The synth loops are deep and expressive, the swirling, oft-delayed guitars are full-bodied and ready to smack you in the face, and the vocals and harmonies are smooth and melodious. The production is nice and thick with the guitars, but allows for some breathing room too-it fits the music perfectly. If you were reading this review to figure out whether or not to buy the album, the answer is a resounding yes. Well done, The Panic Division, well done.

--Rohan Kohli/AbsolutePunk.net