Fooled By Ramen Finale: Fall Out Boy

Over the last month, and time here at Rock D3C0D3D, we've taken a look at a multitude of artists preforming through a plethora of genres. From Alternative rock, to hip-hop, to even country Fueled By Ramen has definitely shown itself to be a diverse record label. Put finally we come to the end of this journey and with that comes not only one of the most anticipated albums of 2013, but also the return of one of my favorite rock groups to come out of the 2000's. I am of course speaking of Fall Out Boy and their return venture entitled Save Rock and Roll.

Fall Out Boy was founded by members Pete Wentz and Joe Trohman in early 2001 after being in various hardcore punk bands in their Chicago area. It wouldn't be until a little later on that Trohman met future lead singer Patrick Stump at a bookstore to which they talked of a common interest in the band Neurosis. Oddly enough, Stump originally auditioned for the open drummer spot in the band until Wentz and Trohman heard his huge vocal register and decided he would be better suited as their lead. After a few more lineup changes, and the band being give it's name at a concert, they found Andy Hurley to be their drummer.

They went on to release a few EP before making their first album entitled Take This To Your Grave releasing it on May 6, 2003. It was a big hit with singles such as "Grand Theft Autmun/Where is Your Boy" and "Saturday." it achieved gold status but only after their breakthrough album entitled From Under the Cork Tree. The album saw them change to the bigger label "Island" and eventually led to the creation of Decaydance Records. This is when I started getting involved with the band as I watched all of their music videos back when Fuse TV was a better source than MTV. They released their big hits "Sugar We're Going Down," "Dance, Dance," and my personal favorite "A Little Less Sixteen Candles, a Little More Touch Me." They released two more albums entitled Infinity on High and Folie A Deux before going on hiatus in 2010. I personally have not heard Folie A Deux but, I do recommend Infinity on High for all of you music lovers out there. They reformed in 2013 much to the delight of myself and said they had been secretly recording an album they were to release later in the year. Well, we've got the album now so let's see if Fall Out Boy still has it or if they should've stayed in hiatus.

The Cover for the most anticipated album... I don't get it.

The Singles

So this album's actually has a lot of videos for the songs on it but sadly only two singles have been released so far. The first being "My Song Knows What You Did in the Dark (Light 'Em Up)" and the later titled, "The Phoenix." Both of these songs are energetic thrill rides that create an amazing atmosphere for the start of the album.

From the pulse pounding drums, string sections in the intro and pre-chorus, to Patrick Stump's awesome falsetto "The Pheonix" will definitely get you in the mood for what Fall Out Boy is offering this time around. The song has three sections to it, the first being a swirl of strings and percussion leading directly into a slowed down solemn pre-chorus lead-up that pays off fully in the chorus as it turns into a dance floor "call to arms" that is a beauty to hear. 

I honestly prefer this over the first single, "My Song Knows What You Did in the Dark (Light 'Em Up) though I may be in the minority here because it definitely has a classic reformed Fall Out Boy sound reminiscent of "Thnks Fr Th Mmrs." Though the song does take a page from Fun's "We Are Young" creating a sort of anti-chorus that is fun to listen to but seems to keep things in the same place if not lower the intensity. Of course, Stump's voice has never sounded better not only on this song but the whole album because when he squeals "FIRE" you know Fall Out Boy will not be shying away from doing what they want on this album.

The Rest of the Album...

This has easily become the most anticipated album of 2013 and it's not hard to see why when you have a band that not only defined the pop rock genre in the 2000's but also were huge contributors to pushing great artists to the forefront of public consciousness. Of course the album isn't fully paved in gold as I found myself more than displeased with songs "The Mighty Fall" and "Rat a Tat." It's not that they are horribly songs as Fall Out Boy at their 'meh' is still better than a majority of the artists today's 'good.' The only real problem with these songs is the industrial drums in "The Mighty Fall" and the performance by Coutrney Love ("It's Courtney Bitch") are a nice touch but are real letdowns as the songs do not seem to lead much of anywhere as opposed to other songs on the album that blow preconceived notions out of the water.

"...even if Fall Out Boy doesn't save rock and roll it's a damn good start."

Now that we have the bad out of the way let's talk about the songs that are a shoe in to be singles. "Alone Together," "Young Volcanoes," and "Save Rock and Roll" are some of the best songs on the album that are assured, if given the chance, can slaughter the charts with "Alone Together" being a fun love song about being young, having fun, and doing what you want because you strictly can. It also features one of my favorite lines from the album ("My heart is like a stallion, they love it more when it's broken). "Young Volcanoes" while not my personal favorite will be an easy song to sell over summer with it's acoustic guitar, ethnic drums, and lyrics that for myself can easily be seen as an around the campfire ballad lending more to the free and wild nature they have been going for throughout the album.

It is the finally though that is the standout track on this album as it offers not only a very reserved musical performance from Fall Out Boy but also a collaboration with the musical savant himself Sir Elton John. I do not think there is enough good things that can be said about this album, from its intermediate piano melody, simple vocal melody, and HUGE soaring chorus this song is a masterpiece. I must say I am a little sad that Elton John's part is reserved to a half verse and repeat prechorus but, take what you can I guess. If you are only going to buy one song off of this album this is the song as it is a love letter to "the songs worth singing" and proves that even if Fall Out Boy doesn't fully save rock and roll it's a damn good start.

Though I'm barely skimming the awe-inspiring album that is Save Rock and Roll I highly recommend to go out and buy this album as it is a testament that not only can a band reinvent their sound, come back after years of hiatus, but also record an album in complete silence from it's fans an make something that is truly fantastic. This is the rock album we have been waiting for and it does not get much better than this.

Well that is all for this month "Fooled By Ramen" month was an amazing experience and goes to show that rock music while evolving, is not truly dead in mainstream eyes. Next time, we take a turn to the punk rock side and look at Alkaline Trio's My Shame Is True.

DECODED: 9.5 out of 10

As always please like, share and comment below!

BUY IT: The Phoenix, My Song Knows What You Did In The Dark, Alone Together, Just One Yesterday, Death Valley, Save Rock and Roll

 

HEAR IT: Where Did The Party Go, Miss Missing You, Young Volcanoes

TRASH IT:  The Mighty Fall, Rat a Tat

*As with all things, the opinions expressed our purely that of the author and should be taken as such. ** All images, music, and information used are for entertainment purposes. No copyright infringement intended.