What’s got 11 tracks, 42 minutes long, and is the best release of a band’s 12-year career?
Save Rock and Roll by Fall Out Boy.
Oh good lord. The opening track being “The Phoenix” was a brilliant choice in and of itself, followed up by “Light Em Up”. Putting the two singles back to back like that make the first moments truly epic, and powerful.
The third track, “Alone Together”, is a massively catchy tune. The beginning is full of little riffs and hooks that is a flawless crescendo to the first verse, when it’s more stripped down and Patrick’s voice is in the spotlight- the way it should be. The chorus is so addictive and has such potential to be the next single; I wouldn’t be surprised if I heard it on the radio tomorrow. Personally I don’t mind the dance-y feel to it, because I predicted that change with Folie before the hiatus. Also, it’s not cheesy- the way that when it gets too close for comfort to the “mainstream” definition, Patrick’s voice of an angel pulls it back and it’s an exhilarating feeling.
“Where Did The Party Go” is super fun and I’m beyond proud of the boys for pulling off a dance tune without it being cliché or boring. The mild key changes and deeper register of Pat’s voice is really nice. The leading into the chorus is gorgeous because it shifts straight into a club beat and some falsetto that makes you envision how freakin’ fun one of their shows is gonna be now. The backbone of the tune is definitely the bass (go Pete) and it holds it down and matches the vocals a few times and those are moments of brilliance. It’s a beautiful song.
My favourite tune of the album is “Just One Yesterday”. It’s where Patrick’s voice is at its’ absolute best; I got goosebumps. It’s when he sings all low when I swoon a little. Also, clever enough, the line “anything you say can and will be held against you” followed up by “so only say my name” is dishy and proves the band is having fun, which is so important. “I’d trade all my tomorrows for just one yesterday” is also a golden one-liner, which is one of the reasons I loved the band in the first place. Something about this song gives me chills; the composition is fun and packed full of nuances. I don’t even mind that it features a female vocalist- that’s how good the song is.
I can’t stop listening to “Miss Missing You”. It’s ridiculously good. I think it’s the lyrics that get to me. “Sometimes before it gets better the darkness gets bigger; the person that you’d take a bullet for is behind the trigger.” What pure poetry is there; that’s probably the single greatest lyric of the entire album. It’s so passionate and real. Though backed by an upbeat track, this song isn’t exactly the happiest. “I miss missing you now and then” is a common lament that the boys have taken on in an eloquent and more fun way.
The closing track is “Save Rock and Roll”. And oh my god is it fkn’ phenomenal. It starts with some “…until your breathing stops…forever” from their older song “Chicago Is So Two Years Ago”. The lyrics are wonderful and I can’t get enough of when Patrick sings the line, “I cried tears you’ll never see- SO FUCK YOU, YOU CAN GO CRY ME AN OCEAN and leave me be.” It also hits a little too close to home. “You are what you love, not who loves you” is another insightful statement put into the light by FOB in the way only they can. Elton John was also a nice addition to this song as well; he adds an element of like, classic music that I think would’ve been lacking from the album entirely without him. It was a good artistic decision on the band’s part.
This is the best release of their entire career; the passion and lyrics, the musicianship and talent. Every detail is fascinating and you can feel the energy- it’s like you can tell that the band had a damn good time making the album. That’s been lacking and now that Fall Out Boy is back, they’re better than they were in the first place.
“Oh no, we won’t go ‘cause we don’t know when to quit.”
Fall Out Boy has saved rock and roll.