It’s been almost four years since pop-punk powerhouse Fall Out Boy went on hiatus. The band, burned out from extensive touring and the fan backlash against their last record Folie à Deux, decided it was better to go their separate ways rather then keep on chugging. Singer Patrick Stump released an R&B-referencing solo record and bassist/mouthpiece Pete Wentz formed an electro-pop band. Guitarist Joe Trohman and drummer Andy Hurley started other projects as well, although none captured the essence of Fall Out Boy.
Now, Fall Out Boy have not only returned to the live circuit, but they’ve arrived with a new energy and a new album, Save Rock and Roll, which was recorded in secret. Coming from any other band, the title would be tongue-in-cheek, but Fall Out Boy are serious, and mainstream rock really needs saving right now. Packed with guests, Save, is Fall Out Boy fully evolved, culminated all the ideas from Folie à Deux while moving further away from their emo rock trappings. Like later FOB records, it is immaculately produced with not a sound out of place. Tracks range from the hard-hitting single, “My Songs Know What You Did in the Dark (Light Em Up),” the Weezer riffing “Where Did The Party Go” and the in your face Courtney Love feature “Rat A Tat.”
The best song on the record is also the album’s last, “Save Rock and Roll” featuring Sir Elton John. The track is the band’s mantra, and it references the band’s past with a looped high pitched sample of “Chicago Is So Two Years Ago” from their breakout Take This To Your Grave. FOB have always been a band to dig in to their fans, and Stump does so perfectly with the line “I cried tears you’ll never see; so fuck you, you can go cry me an ocean and leave me be.” The track ends with the band’s mission statement “Oh no, we won’t go. We don’t know when to quit!” So, let’s hope we can have more years of Fall Out Boy, because as of right now, we can consider rock saved.
Fall Out Boy play tonight with New Politics at the 9:30 Club. Tickets are sold out, but the band will return with Panic! at the Disco Sept. 10 at the Patriot Center. Tickets $39.50.
