They’re back, and they are rocking harder than ever before.
Fall Out Boy’s newest release, “Save Rock And Roll,” is finally in stores. It’s been four years since the band has put out an album, and the new material gives fans a little bit of everything.
The album opens with “The Phoenix,” a catchy tune that’s a blend of musical genres and a welcome introduction to the new era of Fall Out Boy. As soon as frontman Patrick Stump shouts out the opening line, “Put on your warpaint,” fans know these guys mean serious business. Stump’s signature croon is ever-present as he sings the chorus, “I’m gonna change you like a phoenix, and I’m gonna raise you like a phoenix,” but his voice is a little more rough and raw.
Next up is “My Songs Know What You Did In The Dark,” the edgy rock/rap track that served as this album’s lead single and a tease of what was to come.
“Alone Together” crosses genre boundaries, too. Stump channels Adam Levine’s pop qualities occasionally, while Andy Hurley’s drum patterns are part militaristic, part spastic. The enthusiastic throng of children shouting “Yeah!” and backing of the track is the glue that holds it all together.
“Where Did the Party Go” is a mix of old-school and new school. It relies on electronic instrumentation rather than traditional guitars, which draws the focus to Stump’s vocals instead of the band as a whole — not necessarily bad, just unexpected.
“Just One Yesterday” features Foxes, a one-woman band hailing from London (alter ego Louisa Rose Allen). It’s a little bluesy, and even though the opening chords bring to mind Adele’s “Rolling In the Deep,” this is purely FOB. The band has collaborated with lots of male vocalists before, but this is the first time a woman has guested on a full-length release. Allen has pipes, and she and Stump have nice musical chemistry.
“The Mighty Fall” features Big Sean (he’s that rapper on Justin Bieber’s “As Long As You Love Me”) and has the most kick of all the tracks on the album. The chorus is simple (“Oh how the mighty fall in love”) but Big Sean’s rap is slick, quick and one of the strangest professions of love ever recorded (the cleanest example we can print: “Make me wanna give you every dollar out my B of A”).
“Miss Missing You” is the FOB we fell in love with back in high school (or middle school for all my underclassmen readers). It showcases soaring vocals, clear crescendos, stripped-down sections and cohesive instrumentation. Everyone is doing their part, from Pete Wentz’s bass lines to Joe Trohman’s guitar licks. These guys were friends first, and when the music is this phenomenal, that relationship shines through.
“Young Volcanoes” shows the influence more recent music groups have had on the band. If the sounds of fun., Young the Giant, Imagine Dragons and Neon Trees were thrown in a blender and poured out over a Fall Out Boy track, this is what it would sound like. With the chorus, “We are wild / We are like young volcanoes,” this is going to be a hot summer anthem — the cry of the invincible.
“It’s Courtney, b——,” slurs Courtney Love at the start of “Rat A Tat,” a high-energy track that comes near the end of the album.
Love is a weird choice for a guest, but she plays well with the boys, crafting a track that’s one part ‘70s punk a la The Ramones and three parts pop.
The pop punk quartet saves the crown jewel for the last with the elegantly rocking jam “Save Rock and Roll” featuring the one and only Elton John. Stump and Sir Elton sound fantastic together, with just the right touch of drama and bravado as they pull out their high notes and use all the power their lungs can carry.
Even though FOB has been off the radar for four years, the final product was definitely worth the wait.