![“[Building nerf blasters] became this outlet of creativity for me that hasn't been matched by anything else. The process [of] making a build complete to your desire is such a painstakingly difficult process, but I've had to learn from [the skills needed from] soldering to proper painting. There's so many different options for everything, if you think about it, it exists. The best part is [that] if it doesn't exist, you can build it yourself," Ishaan Parate said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/DSC_8149-900x604.jpg)
![“When I came into high school, I was ready to be a follower. But DECA was a game changer for me. It helped me overcome my fear of public speaking, and it's played such a major role in who I've become today. To be able to successfully lead a chapter of 150 students, an officer team and be one of the upperclassmen I once really admired is something I'm [really] proud of,” Anvitha Tummala ('21) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Screen-Shot-2021-07-25-at-9.50.05-AM-900x594.png)
![“I think getting up in the morning and having a sense of purpose [is exciting]. I think without a certain amount of drive, life is kind of obsolete and mundane, and I think having that every single day is what makes each day unique and kind of makes life exciting,” Neymika Jain (12) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Screen-Shot-2017-06-03-at-4.54.16-PM.png)
![“My slogan is ‘slow feet, don’t eat, and I’m hungry.’ You need to run fast to get where you are–you aren't going to get those championships if you aren't fast,” Angel Cervantes (12) said. “I want to do well in school on my tests and in track and win championships for my team. I live by that, [and] I can do that anywhere: in the classroom or on the field.”](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/DSC5146-900x601.jpg)
![“[Volleyball has] taught me how to fall correctly, and another thing it taught is that you don’t have to be the best at something to be good at it. If you just hit the ball in a smart way, then it still scores points and you’re good at it. You could be a background player and still make a much bigger impact on the team than you would think,” Anya Gert (’20) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/AnnaGert_JinTuan_HoHPhotoEdited-600x900.jpeg)
![“I'm not nearly there yet, but [my confidence has] definitely been getting better since I was pretty shy and timid coming into Harker my freshman year. I know that there's a lot of people that are really confident in what they do, and I really admire them. Everyone's so driven and that has really pushed me to kind of try to find my own place in high school and be more confident,” Alyssa Huang (’20) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/AlyssaHuang_EmilyChen_HoHPhoto-900x749.jpeg)
Too Weird to Live, Too Rare to Die!: Panic! at the Disco returns with triumphant album release — 4.5/5 Stars
October 2, 2013
After its sold-out United Kingdom tour in early 2012, Panic! at the Disco had nearly a year and a half rest before releasing its first single, Miss Jackson (feat. Lolo), from its newest album, Too Weird to Live, Too Rare to Die.
Panic! at the Disco is notable in the music industry for being excessively difficult to label with one genre. From the cabaret-punk A Fever You Can’t Sweat Out and the folksy, Beatles-esque Pretty. Odd. to the alternative rock of Vices & Virtues, Panic’s discography is incredibly diverse in style; yet, with the advent of Too Weird to Live, it still manages to bring something refreshingly original to the field.
This time, Panic has returned with a delightful 10-song album with sharp electro-pop instrumentals and hip-hop influences. Lead singer and primary lyricist Brendon Urie supplements his vocal prowess established thoroughly by the band’s previous albums with noticeable instances of computer software use, yet the harmonies retain utter clarity and do not lapse into the trite, auto-tuned singing found so often in today’s Top 40. Fellow band members, drummer Spencer Smith and bassist Dallon Weekes, rise to the challenge and follow up with weighty, potent instrumentals all around.
Urie spoke about the overall theme of the album in an exclusive MTV interview.
“There are quite a few songs that are very personal, about things I’ve been through with different people in my life. But mostly, it’s about being back in Las Vegas,” he said.
The album opens on an intense note with the catchy first single, Miss Jackson (Feat. Lolo) and only improves with its next track, This Is Gospel, the second single released and one of the strongest songs on the album because of its lyrical solidity and beautiful harmonies. Urie has mentioned in previous interviews that the lyrics in This Is Gospel were inspired by drummer Spencer Smith’s struggles with and recent recovery from substance abuse.
The next song, “Vegas Lights,” is a catchy dance tune that serves as the perfect segue into the Vegas themes and electronic influences that pervade the rest of the album. After “Vegas Lights,” the album takes a sour turn with the weakest song of the album “The Girl You Love.” The drumbeats at the beginning intrigue listeners, but the lyrics are vague, derivative, and far too repetitive throughout; however, just as soon as the album hits its low point, it surges back up and reaches its highest with “Nicotine.”
In this song, Urie’s spellbinding vocals are combined with compelling keyboard instrumentals, an electric guitar riff, and an infectious dance beat, making it the number one standout of the album. After “Nicotine” comes the poppy, electronic “Girls/Girls/Boys,” another strong number. The lyrics speak frankly of bisexuality and sexual identity in support of LGBTQ+ individuals.
“Girls love girls and boys. Never did I think that I would be caught in the way you got me. But girls love girls and boys / And love is not a choice,” Urie sings.
The next two songs, “Casual Affair” and “Far Too Young To Die,” while not being the most notable of the album still remain successes in their own right. “Casual Affair,” while still a dance number, provides a ominous, darker overtone that continues on into the slower “Far Too Young To Die.” The lyrics in “Far Too Young To Die,” are fascinating, but fall slightly flat in the wake of unexciting instrumentals that make it a less memorable part of the album.
The album wraps up with the songs “Collar Full” and “The End Of All Things.” The former has a lovely, bubbly tune, grounding drumbeats, and pensive lyrics, making it another high point of the album.
“Show me your love, your love before the world catches up because there’s always time for second guesses. I don’t wanna know if you’re gonna be the death of me. That’s how I wanna go,” Urie choruses.
Finally, “The End Of All Things” is a beautifully sparse piano ballad that, according to Urie in an interview with PureVolume, was written for his wife. The harmonies are heart-stopping in beauty, and the four simple piano chords in the song manage to speak volumes of love and devotion.
Too Weird to Live, Too Rare to Die! wholly succeeds as an artful masterpiece that is a departure from previous styles, yet a certainly welcome one. The album officially hits stores on Oct. 8.
