 | Tracklist:
1. Disloyal Order of Water Buffaloes
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 (feat. Elvis Costello)
10. Tiffany Blews (feat. Lil Wayne)
11. w.a.m.s.
12. 20 Dollar Nose Bleed (feat. Brendon Urie)
13. West Coast Smoker (feat. Debbie Harry)
14. Pavlove [Bonus Track]
Release Date: 2008 | |
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On 19 Lists
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| Summary: The lights are on and everybody's home. |
3 of 3 thought this review was well written
“A Man walks into a bar. Ouch”. Two factors must be understood in order to appreciate the humour that this (hilarious) joke engenders: The daring simplicity of it, and the reference and reflexive connection it makes with both its audience and its respective genre. The same approach seems to work for Fall Out Boy’s music: embracing the relative straightforward nature of their songs and taking note of their connection and reaction to both audience and genre makes for a much better listening experience.
Upon first listen, the most obvious change from previous albums is that FOB seem much more comfortable with themselves and their songwriting. Completing a three-album transition from pop-laden punk to punkish pop to full-blown, unashamed pop, Folie a Deux captures the band in full flight. Having previously copped plenty of criticism for abandoning their underground roots, earlier albums (especially Infinity On High) suffered from being caught in the in-between, displaying the band’s uncertainty about where their sound fit in. Considering their greatest talent has always been for huge, incredibly catchy hooks and melodies, their assured acceptance and embrace of the pop genre is a welcome one.
Songwise, the album hits the ground running. Opener ‘Disloyal order of Water Buffaloes’ immediately distinguishes the albums difference from its predecessor, replacing Jay-Z’s big name endorsement and subsequent hip-hop influence with a soft organ and Stump’s equally gentle warbling. The album starts incredibly well, hitting the listener with well-crafted song after well-crafted song, effortlessly switching between varying tempos and styles. A much improved rhythm section, which now leads songs in the right direction rather than limply propping them up (see She’s My Winona, America’s Suitehearts, Headfirst Slide...) is a definite highlight on the album, as is the comparatively reserved production, which allows the subtle background touches and deft guitarwork to be deservedly heard.
Messrs Wentz and Stump again prove to be a winning lyrical/melody arrangement combination, producing some of their best collaborations to give the album its giddy and seemingly endless highs. Wentz’s ability to create layered and undeniably clever lyrics laced with references that speak to multiple audiences is perhaps at its peak here, displaying an increasing maturity of subject matter, even if it sometimes strays into a little too much repetitiveness. Stump cements his position as the one of the leading vocalists in popular music, completely unafraid to go after every possible note in his impressive range, elevating him above other, less bold singers. Hearing him play around is just plain fun, and he completely steals the show on the album’s piano driven ballad ‘What A Catch, Donnie’, anchoring an impressive melody and outclassing his varied range of collaborators.
Most importantly, Folie a Deux feels like an album. Displaying great cohesiveness and impressive consistency, Fall Out Boy’s latest effort has few missteps. Although it falters slightly towards the end, these four boys from Illinois have risen through the often unfair criticism hurled at them to create a surprisingly subtle album of songs that sit comfortably amongst each other unlike ever before. One of 2008 pop’s best, and certainly their finest, Folie a Deux sees Fall Out Boy at the height of their highly addictive powers.
www.myspace.com/falloutboy
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| Recent reviews by this author | | |
Album Rating: 4
Not bad, not bad.
This is a really good record.
Digging: Kate Miller-Heidke - Nightflight | | |
First listen atm, seems pretty good, but the names piss me off.
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If you expected the song titles to not be lolable then I feel for you haha
I like this a lot more than I thought I would...I don't know how much more though
| | | Album Rating: 4
First listen atm, seems pretty good, but the names piss me off.
It's because you hate the French.This Message Edited On 12.11.08
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^Ya got me
| | | Album Rating: 2.5
I just might listen to this one
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You should man...its alright
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The so called opus so isn't though.
| | | Album Rating: 2.5
does anyone know what album Start Today is on cuz I like that song
listening to the stream, nothing special so far, but not intolerableThis Message Edited On 12.11.08
| | | Album Rating: 4
You'll find it on Gorilla Biscuits' album of the same name :D
XXX
| | | Album Rating: 2.5
so did Fall Out Boy cover it?
| | | Album Rating: 4
lol yer
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i doubt ill ever listen to this
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Review is awesome. I'm guessing this will suck like their last two albums though.
Digging: The Fall of Troy - Doppelganger Digging: The Fall of Troy - Doppelganger
| | | Album Rating: 2.5
I'm sticking with what I said, this isn't great but isn't necessarily bad, especially compared to their last two abominations
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after track 9 i think this is so average but before that it's some of the best pop music released this year.
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Oh, and Stump's vocals are INSANELY good.
| | | Album Rating: 4
That CAN'T be Debbie Harry on West Coast Smoker.
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My younger sister loves this band, and i used to hate them (not to say some singers aren't bad) i listened to 'infinity' and it was horrible, i hated it.
The new song (I dont care) is such a boppy number that i think i like it. i probably won't hear this album, although my sister will probably end up with it and i'll hear most of it.
nevertheless, im rather curious to see the direction they took.
| | | Album Rating: 4
Album is really good.
Your review is better than mine ( ), good work  .
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