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Fall Out Boy - Folie À DeuxScott Heisel on 11/17/08 @ 6:31 PM
For all the negatives said, written or blogged about Fall Out Boy (and trust us, there are a lot), it's damn near impossible to fault the Chicago-born band for their creativity, ingenuity and willingness to try just about anything. (How many other previous Warped Tour headliners do you know who've attempted to play Antarctica recently?) Sure, you can hate Pete Wentz for his media-whoring abilities (dude would attend the opening of a Doritos bag if you invited him), but when it comes to the music, the band--bassist/lyricist Wentz, vocalist/guitarist Patrick Stump, guitarist Joe Trohman and drummer Andy Hurley--take what they do surprisingly seriously, and Folie À Deux represents that well.
As many have already explained, Folie À Deux translates from French to mean "a madness shared by two." What's interesting, then, is how the album itself actually fights against this joint-mind feeling with two very distinct halves. The first seven tracks are a great mixture of what many would refer to as "quintessential Fall Out Boy" (meaning huge hooks, open-diary lyrics and plenty of ear candy from Stump) as well as some of the band's more recent R&B affectations seen on 2007's Infinity On High. "America's Suitehearts"-while having way too many vocal overdubs for this writer's comfort level-is probably the most visceral gut-shot the band have penned since "Sugar, We're Goin' Down." Its half-time chorus is as musically enormous as FOB get, and Wentz's lyrics ("Let's hear it for America's suitehearts/I must confess I'm in love with my own sins") are as honest as he's been in some time. "She's My Winona" suffers from an awkward key change toward its end, but otherwise is a solid, uptempo rocker with some neat production flourishes in the drums. The disc's first single, "I Don't Care," while directly aping Depeche Mode's "Personal Jesus," is still a hell of a good time. The first half of the disc closes out with "(Coffee's For Closers)," a gorgeous, string-enhanced number that leaves you emotionally drained after a repeated chant of "We will never believe again/Kick drum beating in my chest again." It's wordplay like this that once again make Wentz king of emo troubadours, as much as he'd probably like to shed the title.
For as many risks as the album's first half doesn't take, the remaining six songs go all out in terms of grandiosity (and potential absurdity). The overblown R&B piano ballad "What A Catch, Donnie" kicks off with guest vocals from most of the Decaydance roster (including Panic At The Disco's Brendon Urie and Gym Class Heroes' Travis McCoy) before turning the reins over to pop's elder statesman, Elvis Costello, for a 15-second cameo in which he sings a hook from one of the album's previous songs, "Headfirst Slide Into Cooperstown On A Bad Bet," before disappearing (presumably back to your cool uncle's record collection). But that's peanuts compared to what happens in the next 18 minutes or so-"Tiffany Blews" is a pseudo club-stomper featuring a phoned-in appearance from rap blünderkind Lil' Wayne (seriously, it sounds like it was recorded off an answering machine) that doesn't have much going for it. "w.a.m.s." is next, which is a synth-heavy '80s dance number that just sounds misguided and awkward-and that's before the double-bass outro which fades into a strange, minute-long retro-blues piece presumably from Pharrell, who is supposed to appear somewhere in the song.
Urie pops up again in "20 Dollar Nose Bleed," which at first listen will recall Billy Preston's funk-pop classic "Nothing From Nothing" (seriously) as well as Panic's Pretty. Odd., with its enjoyable horn accents and bouncy beat. It's the highlight of the album's second half, which woefully lacks standouts; if you buy Folie À Deux on vinyl, odds are you'll never get around to flipping the platter over to side B. But it's hard to hold the mistakes against the band, because as usual, they went for it. There aren't any other groups who have achieved such widespread mainstream success but still tinker with their sound this much. While Folie À Deux at times feels like the band are showing off the contents of their Rolodex, the album's standouts are so good that they will undoubtedly become standards for the band's live shows for years to come. And really, does it matter if people like it or not? As Stump sings (and Wentz writes), "I don't care what you think/As long as it's about me." (ISLAND) Scott Heisel
Official Website: http://www.falloutboyrock.com
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Truely, I'm not sure if I even want this album to come out. I'm on the "Fall Out Boy Sucks" team. Thier older music (like most bands) really spoke to me and took me in, and made me a fan in the first place. The new album (although I have heard nothing on it, and don't want to be quick to judge) just doesn't strike me as something I would want to buy. The name just gives it a stuck up, snobby, i'm better than you feel. And that's not what I look for in any band. I'm just not sure FOB has what it takes to make it big anymore other than small venues for the fans that made Fall Out Boy sellouts in the first place.
^ Congratulations, you pass the "I Hate FOB" initiation test. You gave every stereotypical comment someone could give. Your grade: +1 scene points. Can't wait to download this album.
I'll come out and say it, I like Fall Out Boy. They are a pop act that still have integrity. I find it weird that Pete is all over the tabloids, BUT, I can't blame him. This dude almost died before his band took off, and now there are tons of people that love him, and hate him, but he's known, he exists to the majority of the world, and that's great. I'll buy the record and listen to the 5 songs that will be played live, like all other FOB records. I mean for real, they still play a lot of shit off take this to your grave. So yeah in short good pop bands are hard to come by, and FOB are one of those bands.
@screamthearts: My first question is that do you know the meaning of Folie A Deux. It means a shared madness of two, which, I think explains the creativity and the relationship that Patrick and Pete share. And seriously, sellouts? I don't think you should use that word, honestly. I love FOB. I saw them on Warped '05 and fell in love after hearing 'Calm Before The Storm'. I can't wait to hear this album, from what I've heard of it already, it seems like it's going to be an awesome album. With bringing the sounds of all FOB back and mixing it with something new, it definitely is not going to be anything short of folie a deux.
i am on the fall out boy rules side completely. the cover made me smile because it kind of reminded me of the ttyg days. i became a fan back then and that will always be my favorite album of theirs. i mean, ive had to get used to their dramatic changes and i don't agree with some of them, but fall out boy is fall out boy. i will always support those guys (:
I have been with Fall Out Boy from the beginning, and I must say that every album they have produced has been awesome. They are continually evolving and re-creating themselves, which is an indicator of a great band. Fall Out Boy has the potential to become a legend, despite the haters. As long as they do what they know and feel is best, I guarantee you they will be remembered. They are looking to make their mark in history, and they are doing a great job so far.
No matter how big and successful a band gets, there will always be haters and people overusing "sellout." I have been a FOB fan since "Evening Out" and they always surprise me with every new album. They aren't afraid to put themselves out there and see how many heads they can turn. Sure they have garnered a reputation for being media whores, but how many s**ty hih-hop and rap artists don't? They have a great formula and from the two tracks I have heard from this album, I am once again impressed by their ability to write super catchy songs. ALL of their albums including "My Heart" still dominate my iPod. Give it a chance. The only thing they are "selling out" are venues and you know it.
First of all, I have to say I haven't been an FOB fan as long as the rest of you, only since FUTCT came out (And NO, I didn't buy it because of Dance, Dance.) Anyway, I think change is good for bands because it means they can mature. I think Folie a Deux is amazing. The catchiness of the songs, the heartfelt lyrics, the musical lines are all fantastic. So if any of you think they are sell outs? Consider yourself a sell out and have a good day. You clearly haven't grown any as a music listener. Do you expect them to stay the same just because you say "make another album like TTTYG"? You just can't do that because an album isn't an album if it's a carbon copy.
alright.i love fall out boy.new album & old. i think folie a deux is amazing. i love how some of the songs feature brendon urie(also love panic at the disco),travis mccoy, and that elvis costello dude. bands are gonna change.not keep writing and singing the same songs(or ones like it). (also like panic at the discos album pretty.odd. people thought it was going to be the same kind of music-emoish amazing songs.theyre new albums amazing too-well.yeahh.off topic kinda.but def on the fall out boy is the coolest everr sidee
Fall Out Boy have come such a long way from their last cd, having all the negitive reactions. I think that Folie A Duex has way more rock this time like they used to have and i can't stop listening to it.