Review: Fall Out Boy, Save Rock and Roll

I've been a pretty big fan of Fall Out Boy for a while. Yes, go ahead and judge me. I was probably just as surprised and excited as the average fan when the band announced their return. I found it quite hilarious too that Pete Wentz had an interview the day before the announcement, and he said in that interview the reunion would never happen. Nevertheless, the band has returned with their fifth album, after a lengthy hiatus. I knew there'd be some changes, mainly because of how different and (in my opinion) mature the Folie A Deux album was. 

Save Rock and Roll is a different path for FOB. I have a feeling several fans will be relatively frustrated, simply because so many people expect the band to go back to their roots and play straight pop/punk music. But anyone who thinks this doesn't understand the need and desire in the music industry to change, grow, and mature. I feel like Folie A Deux was a very mature step for FOB, in all aspects, including lyrically. While Save Rock and Roll is not as mature, it's still another step. The record is very focused on the new electronic pop sound, which plays to their strengths. A big difference this time around is seen as soon as you look at the track listing. Song titles are simpler, and the lyrical content is also simpler than what we're used to from FOB, yet it fits into the style.

It's a fun and enjoyable record, as a whole. The album definitely has its standout tracks, none more than "The Phoenix", which is the bands strongest and most intense single they've ever released. Gritty, raw, and a slap in the face to pop, it's a great way to start the album off. Patrick Stump's vocals are as strong as ever, evidenced on tracks like "Where Did The Party Go" and "My Songs Know What You Did In The Dark", the albums lead single. "Just One Yesterday" features some brilliant female vocals (from Foxes) that compliment Stump's smooth stylings, and feels like a classic ballad for the band. The collaborators on this album are nothing to sneeze at, but they might not be what people would have expected from FOB. "The Mighty Fall" features rapper Big Sean on a sleazy and bland verse during the bridge, but the rest of the track saves the band from justifiable ridicule. Maybe it would have been better to give the verse to 2Chainz, who was featured in a recent music video. 

Courtney Love and Elton John round out the remaining collaborations on Save Rock and Roll, and while I could probably do without Love on "Rat A Tat", the title track with Sir Elton makes up for it. I've wanted to hear Stump and Elton do a song together, as their vocal stylings can be similar at times, and the track does not disappoint. "Death Valley" is another staple, featuring some of the only solid guitar solos on the album, and believe me they are missed on the rest of the album. As a fan, I was expecting a continuation of Folie A Deux, but I'll take this installment with open arms. Even the few listens I've gone through, the album has grown on me. So if you're a diehard FOB fanatic, and you're not impressed, give it time. They can't all be as good as "The Phoenix", but this record is worth your time. If you're just jumping in, this is a great place to start.