I always find it interesting to go back and listen to an old record of a currently famous band before they were popular. Fall Out Boy is a pop-punk band that has met with immense success within the last year of their musical career. However, they weren’t always so “in”. They made themselves known after making an EP titled, “Fall Out Boy’s Evening Out With Your Girlfriend”, and using the inter-web to gain a large fan-base. Well, they eventually signed to small time label, Fueled By Ramen. They had a single for the record, “Take This To Your Grave” in the song
Saturday, grew popular, and signed to major label, Island Records.
Hey, you know what? They are even kinda cute.
So, we all know now that with their new album, “From Under The Cork Tree”, each song is catchy, and somewhat lyrically silly, but is it the same here, with “Take This To Your Grave”? Yes, and no. First of all, it should be made known that on this album, frontman Patrick Stump (vocals, guitar) was the one who wrote the lyrics for this album, and it was Pete Wentz (bass, backup vocals) who wrote the lyrics for “From Under The Cork Tree”. So while the silliness is somewhat there, it’s just coming from a different direction, or view. As for being catchy, it’s nowhere near the same as the later album, but feels more personal.
There are hooks here, and there, but it doesn’t seem to be as necessary. I think with this that Fall Out Boy were going with the flow, and seemed more relaxed in their musical, and lyrical writing. Since Patrick doesn’t focus on being catchy as much here, his voice is slightly different. It’s more relatable to Motion City Soundtracks singer, but Patrick still keeps it his own vocal style. The music isn’t technical; in fact, it’s extremely simple, but does fit with the singing more. Everything is rather tight, the drums, and bass work well together, more overtly noticeable on the songs
Two Years Ago, and
The Pros and Cons of Breathing. The guitar playing is somewhat disappointing, there are two guitarists, so that means there should be some interesting leads played, at the very least, but there aren’t any, at all. That is really the only thing that could be said in a negative tone towards the album.
Songs such as
Grand Theft Autum/Where is Your Boy,
Saturday, and
Grenade Jumper are all very enjoyable, and help the album move along smoothly. The production is okay, and isn’t touched on too much, which is what helps the somewhat raw feeling surface. This is a good album, and if you own the bands later work, “From Under The Cork Tree”, then I suggest you also try this out, and see how they have changed, and developed, while still being themselves. True, this is in no way original, but feels somewhat personal, making it easier to enjoy.
Kripes’ gives Fall Out Boy’s “Take This To Your Grave” a conditional recommendation.
