Fall Out Boy - "Save Rock And Roll"

Fall Out Boy - Save Rock And Roll
2013, Island

1. The Phoenix
2. My Songs Know What You Did In The Dark (Light 'Em Up)
3. Alone Together
4. Where Did The Party Go?
5. Just One Yesterday
6. The Mighty Fall
7. Miss Missing You
8. Death Valley
9. Young Volcanoes
10. Rat a Tat
11. Save Rock And Roll

Save Rock And Roll huh? First, I wasn't aware that rock and roll was in danger. Second, even if it were I don't think I'd trust its salvation to Fall Out Boy. Especially with the least "rock and roll" album the band has made up until now. It's got some lame flavor-of-the-month guest stars. It's also got Courtney Love and Elton John. Courtney's job on "Rat a Tat" is to be vulgar and see how many times she can fit the words "suicide," "blonde," and "bomb" in the lyrics. Elton John's job is to make you go - "WTF? Why is Elton John here?!" But I'm not here to hate folks, so I'll answer the question I'm sure you're asking - "Is it any good?" Let me answer it this way...

You know McDonald's right? Sometimes you just get a craving for a McDouble or fries. Or maybe it's breakfast time and it's the closest thing there is. Whatever draws you to the Golden Arches is immaterial. You know exactly what you're going to get. It won't be "delicious" and you certainly won't "savor" it, but it will do exactly what you need it to do - take up space in your stomach. Likewise, sometimes I get a craving for easily digestible pop music with good hooks that I don't have to think too hard about. That's where Fall Out Boy comes in. I listen to it because I know exactly what I'm getting and sometimes it hits the spot. Some people say this album is really different, but it's not. It's the exact same band only instead of guitar there's more pop noise and no stupid song titles. The strongest tracks are probably "Miss Missing You" and "Young Volcanoes." Those are my favorites anyway. So yeah... Fall Out Boy... the Big Mac of pop music.

Useless Fact: I'm not really sure what's going on with the cover art. Also.... Elton John sings on the title track. Yeah. ELTON JOHN. I wonder if he was drunk or confused or what?

Fall Out Boy - "Folie a Deux"

Fall Out Boy - Folie A Deux

2008, Island

1. Disloyal Order of Water Buffalos

2. I Don't Care

3. She's My Winona

4. America's Suitehearts

5. Headfirst Slide Into Cooperstown on a Bad Bet

6. The (Shipped) Gold Standard

7. (Coffee's For Closers)

8. What a Catch, Donnie

9. 27

10. Tiffany Blews

11. w.a.m.s.

12. 20 Dollar Nose Bleed

13. West Coast Smoker

Hmmm.... if you like Fall Out Boy, you'll like this. It's the same style - maybe with a few more dance/techno elements than the last albums. This one was a grower for me too like it seems like all FOB discs are. I like this better than Cork Tree but not as much as Infinity. They didn't include lyrics in this one but it sounds like it's the same crap they always write about. To tell you the truth I've had so much music around here lately that I haven't had the chance to give this one the attention that I've wanted. So I'll probably update this one again when I've listened to it more.

Useless Fact: I think there's supposed to be a Sarah Palin look alike in the "I Don't Care" video, but I don't think she really looks like Sarah Palin.

Fall Out Boy - "Infinity On High"

Fall Out Boy - Infinity On High
2007, Island

1. Thriller
2. "The Take Over, The Breaks Over"
3. This Ain't a Scene, It's an Arms Race
4. I'm Like a Lawyer With the Way I'm Always Trying to Get You Off (Me & You)
5. Hum Hallelujah
6. Golden
7. Thnks Fr Th Mmrs
8. Don't You Know Who I Think I Am?
9. The (After) Life of the Party
10. The Carpal Tunnel of Love
11. Bang the Doldrums
12. Fame < Infamy
13. You're Crashing, But You're No Wave
14. I've Got All This Ringing In My Ears and None On My Fingers

Okay... so the song titles are a little bit better this time. Anyway, the first time I listened to this album I didn't care for it much. I thought it was kind of hit and miss like the last one. However, one day my wife and I were coming home from a long trip and she was driving. I took the time to read the lyrics and as I did, my appreciation of this album increased exponentially. Granted, they're still pretentious and if they're not talking about failed relationships they're talking about the trappings of fame. Again... not deep - just young and stupid. That beings said there are some pretty clever turns of phrase here so I think that helped me like the music more. Almost to the point where I can say this is probably my favorite Fall Out Boy. I especially like "(Me & You)" and "Hum Hallelujah" though I'm not sure how I feel about them using God's name in a song about teen sex.

Useless Fact: The band went to Africa to film the video for "(Me & You)."

Fall Out Boy - "From Under the Cork Tree"

Fall Out Boy - From Under the Cork Tree

2005, Island

1. Our Lawyer Made Us Change the Name of This Song So We Wouldn't Get Sued

2. Of All the Gin Joints in the World

3. Dance, Dance

4. Sugar, We're Going Down

5. Nobody Puts Baby in a Corner

6. I've Got a Dark Alley and a Bad Idea That Says You Should Shut Your Mouth (Summer Song)

7. 7 Minutes in Heaven (Atavan Heaven)

8. Sophomore Slump or Comeback of the Year

9. Champagne For My Real Friends, Real Pain For My Sham Friends

10. I Slept With Someone In Fall Out Boy and All I Got Was This Stupid Song Written About Me

11. A Little Less Sixteen Candles, A Little More "Touch Me"

12. Get Busy Living or Get Busy Dying (Do Your Part To Save the Scene and Stop Going to Shows)

13. XO

What the heck is up with these flippin' song titles?! Ugh! Is there any reason they need to do that? It's not cool, it's not funny. It just comes off as pretentious. Of course, Fall Out Boy is a pretentious emo band so I guess this is par for the course. Despite the song titles, I do like Fall Out Boy even though they're the "trendy" band out now. What can I say? They write a good hook and have catchy songs. Their lyrics are all about soured relationships - so that's annoying. Like they think they're really deep when all they are is young and stupid. Oh well... I think this one isn't quite as good as some of the later ones which is the opposite of some critics. But I've never cared what critics think...

Useless Fact: The vocalist sucks live... like all of these emo bands.