Portland-based duo Panther made their name on agitated indie rock and energetic shows, nothing spectacular but nothing embarrassing either. They were like many things in Portland when you don't live there, peculiar for no particular reason but not offensive or anything, just easy to forget. Their new album, named Entropy, sounds like they've gotten old. Not old like broken hips and stool softeners, old like they can dazzle with good ideas now instead of showing off. The whole thing is less "angular," as they say, but a ton more enjoyable, packed with subtle, smart songs and blanketed in layers of warm piano and a late ’70s mellow anxiety. It's a little like Steely Dan. We don't really like Steely Dan, but it's like that, and we like it. It's like other stuff too but this isn't a book it's a blog post. Enjoy the first single from Entropy and pick up the album on Kill Rock Stars on September 29th.
Download: Panther, "Love Is Sold"
