Unstoppable? Poetic? Legendary? A few words which can describe a perfect album. An album which holds that special value which practically every fan of the band can see. Few bands can achieve this in any given genre, yet in the world of pop-punk, Fall Out Boy have swept the scene of it's feet and held a knife to it's throat. They have come at a time where generic screams and looks are necessary in a band that wants to be seen, yet here they are with their third album, singing their hearts out like they do best. So take a listen to an album with quite possibly the longest song titles ever, and get sucked into the world that is From Under The Cork Tree...
Our Lawyers Made Us Change The Name Of This Song So We Wouldn't Get Sued
Originally called "I Liked You A Lot More Before You Became A F**king Myspace Whore", this song is a perfect opener for the record. From the camera flash sounds at the beginning to the drowning out of the guitar at the end, it's filled with energy and hate against the scene nowadays. Angst-ridden lyrics never sounded so sweet until Fall Out Boy made this song. Insanely catchy guitar riffs that sound so simple just hook you into this amazing beginning.
Of All The Gin Joints In All The World
A more poppier song, with the "Oh oh oh oh" backing vocals over the intro just catch you off guard and reel you in. The sound is the typical Fall Out Boy with the same distorted but oh-so sweet guitar riffs and fast-paced drumming beats, and place some heart-felt lyrics on top, you get another incredible pop-punk anthem.
Dance, Dance
By far my favourite song on the record. Listen and you will see why. Enter drums, then an infectious bassline, add some tambarine and then a nice little palm-muted melody and you have "Dance, Dance". The lyrics are just as catchy, and in no time you will be singing along with the chorus. Hell, I'm doing it right as I review this song!
Sugar, We're Going Down
Ahhh, the radio single. This is infact the song which got me into Fall Out Boy. I heard it and was hooked, I couldn't get enough of it. Of course, now I have heard a lot of their other stuff, this song doesn't compare to them. But the insanely simple guitar riffs and repetitive chorus lyrics just make for a perfectly written single. This song will hook you into the world that is Fall Out Boy and not let go!
Nobody Puts Baby In The Corner
The demo of this song was posted on their Purevolume (As was "Dance, Dance"), and this is such a step up from that demo. It isn't as fast-paced as the pervious songs, but it does carry a very cheery energy which you can really feel in the chorus and bridge, with the quick lyrics and high guitar licks.
I've Got A Dark Alley And A Bad Idea That Says You Should Shut Your Mouth (Summer Song)
Here's a major slow down in the album. The guitars are clean, the drumming is a lot less upbeat than the previous songs and the singing seems a lot deeper than before. I'm not saying it's a bad song, but it isn't my favourite. I don't think it does a good job as a slow song, and seems a bit like filler to me
7 Minutes In Heaven (Atavan Halen)
Here we go again! Picking up the album again, it has a bit of a Lagwagon feel to it. The high chords played on the guitar, the faster drumming. The lyrics aren't anything to write home about, but with a song as catchy and feel-good as this, it's a forgivable mistake. Not the catchiest song FOB have written, you won't be singing along to it anytime soon. But certainly not skippable
Sophomore Slump Or Comeback Of The Year
I'm torn on this song. It has the same sound as Fall Out Boy, the same old guitar riffs and drum beats, but it doesn't really feel like them. It has that "tongue-in-cheek" feel that they have made so well, but the song just lacks energy for the message it's conveying. Musically it is fine, just not great.
Champagne For My Real Friends, Real Pain For My Sham Friends
The best song title ever! On that note, this song is a bit of a let-down. Lyrically, this song is great I think. Another attack at the fanbase for the band, which they believe is a let-down in it's own. But the music starts to let down at this point in the album. It's slowed down slightly, just letting up on the grip it had on the start.
I Slept With Someone In Fall Out Boy And All I Got Was This Stupid Song Written About Me
Finally some pure pop-punk! The guitar riffs in the song are very catchy, and so is the chorus. When you hear the "Can't cover it up, can't cover it up!" you can't help but sing along. Speaking of singing along, this song is the first one on the new album with screaming! In the bridge, the drummer screams his little heart out as hard as he can. A little let-down, considering I don't think it suits the band, but that's their choice. Doesn't make the song that much worse, but it's an amazing song anyway
A Little Less Sixteen Candles, A Little More "Touch Me"
A perfect way to lead out of the last song, a little slowed down but it has so much energy. The lyrics are pretty cheesy as well, which I always enjoy. It's a shame this song is pretty short, but it does well. The guitar hooks are very good for the end of the album and the drumming is on par
Get Busy Living Or Get Busy Dying (Do Your Part To Save The Scene And Stop Going To Shows)
Look at that, a song title change! I suppose beyondtheblueprint should have known that, but whatever. The song has a very Western feel to it actually. The clean guitar intro, the drum roll later on in the song. But it works so well, and it just draws you in closer. Also the bridge is again a lot rougher than your regular Fall Out Boy song, but it's not as bad as "I Slept With..." and is really enjoyable and fuels you a little. Oh, and the end, what is up with that? A little porm from our favourite band, which leads straight into...
XO
Awww, a short title. Thanks FOB! Anyway, this has a really warm feel to it. The verses are so hastey and so fast-paced, but in the chorus is slows down slightly, reminding you it's the end of the album. A little major volume change for the bridge, and it gets very sad and slow. I love this song, such a great closing song. I do love when bands do slow songs as their final song, but when they do fast songs which TURN slow, it just sounds so much better in my opinion
Overall opinion, after having to type and re-type song titles over and over, listening to "Dance, Dance" a few times in a row and then realize I am in the middle of a review, and finally getting through the whole album, I can safely say that Fall Out Boy are back on top. Take This To Your Grave as amazing as most pop-punk fans will know, but this has really taken it to the next level. There are a few points during this CD where you think it's going to let you down, but then it picks right back up again and doesn't let you go.
I'm quite sure this album isn't unstoppable, it's not quite legnedary and it's not as poetic as a lot of other albums. But as a pop-punk album, this is right up there with the greats. Sure, Green Day are on top on the mainstream scene, but Fall Out Boy are rising in respect and musical talent, and pretty soon, I fear the day when there will be a Fall Out Boy album on ALL the iPods in the world
9/10
Recommended songs:- Our Lawyers Made Us Change The Name Of This Song So We Wouldn't Get Sued
- Dance, Dance
- I Slept With Someone In Fall Out Boy And All I Got Was This Stupid Song Written About Me
- You're A Concrete Boy Now (Do Your Part To Save The Scene And Stop Going To Shows)
For fans of...- Millencolin
- Taking Back Sunday
- Jimmy Eat World
