Customer Reviews

Folie à Deux

5 star:		(38)
4 star:		(17)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

Fall Out Boy is perhaps the one band that most defines what alternative punk/pop/emo rock is to today's record-buying public, with 2005's From Under The Cork Tree and 2007's Infinity On High garnering massive commercial success. On Folie A Deux, their 5th studio album, they've honed their formula for success and crafted songs that, to my ears, should satisfy core fans and newcomers alike.

On the majority of these tracks, the experimentation and mixing of musical styles and genres occur on either side of a very strong, melodic, mainstream rock chorus...in other words, F.O.B. has at least one section of every song they can hang their hat on; it doesn't seem to matter how far they stray from the 'conventional' approach to writing a rock song, at some point in each track you will hear familiarity (great sounding choruses).

The record's production is very "BIG"-sounding...typical F.O.B. trademarks, like multiple layers of vocals with plenty of "Whoa's" and "Oh's" and chants, tight harmonies, and great variety with instrumentation seem to have been emphasized...but I wouldn't necessarily say it's overproduced. Even though the arrangements can get a little 'busy' at times, Pete Wentz (bass guitar, lyrics) and Patrick Stump (vocals) somehow make the chaos work, and we end up hearing some very creative, interesting, and catchy music.

The first track, "Disloyal Order...", has about 4 different 'verse' sections, including an organ-based opening and a guitar chord progression reminiscent of The Who's "Teenage Wasteland", before it even gets to what might be considered the 'chorus'. But with each listen, this song just gets better and better, and I feel it's one of the album's best tracks.

On "America's Suitehearts", the verse gives you no clue as to the powerful, melodic rock chorus that follows it, and the album's first single, "I Don't Care", based on another classic guitar riff, is probably the most straight-forward, radio-friendly track. "What A Catch, Donnie" is a slower, piano-based, dramatically produced song that I find very moving. The first eight tracks are all solid, along with "Tiffany Blews" and "20 Dollar Nose Bleed".

The inclusion of what I consider to be 'just average' songs ("27", "w.a.m.s.", "West Coast Smoker") is the only reason I drop this from 5 stars to four; otherwise, I feel Folie A Deux is top-notch, and I would definitely recommend it.

I want to start by saying that this is a very enjoyable album, but Folie A Deux finds our heroes, the emo kings, embracing their melodic sensibility a little more tightly than some of their long time fans might like. Piano chords (!) can be heard ringing through at times, and power chords are occasionally left to linger in almost power pop fashion. To be sure, crunchy guitars with plenty of fuzz still are apparent, but the tunes are toe tapping, sometimes downright pretty, and definitely very catchy. Wentz's base is insistent, slamming its way around the melody line, sublimely funky, and backed up by a stomping rhythm section. Instrumentation is actually a little adventurous, and the entire affair brings to mind Panic! At the Disco's "A Fever You Can't Sweat Out" more than just a little bit. Personally, I think that is pretty high praise, but I'm not sure that everyone who loves Fall Out Boy is going to feel the same way.

The stuff you have come to love is still here, never fear. Patrick's ever shaky vocal charms are the centerpiece of most of the songs. He sings, whines, pleads, and then boldly slides all around his range, which appears to be widening over time. He is more confident here than before, and that says a lot. He takes a lot of chances vocally, with some impressive harmonies and generally very strong vocal lines. I think that this album is his most listenable performance, but once more, I know that not all Fall Out Boy fans want things to be too listenable.

From a lyrical perspective, it has always been a little hard to know when Fall Out Boy are telling us like it is, letting us in on what is really on their hearts, or when they are throwing out blythe redirects as facade for a deeper hurt that maybe they don't want to reveal. "I'd promise you anything for another shot at life" Patrick says, voice full of sincerity on the outstanding opening track, and then he elaborates--"Imperfect boys with their perfect ploys/Nobody wants to hear you sing about tragedy." Interesting lyrics for one of the biggest names in emo.

Ultimately, then, I love this album. I confess that I've always enjoyed the melodic poppy side of Fall Out Boy, so this album is actually everything that I have hoped from them. It is going to disappoint a lot of fans, however, who wanted a little more screaming, a little more fast guitar. To them I say, with respect, please give this album a chance. There are definitely some raw moments, and they guys have not forgotten where they come from. The album should grow on everyone who is really willing to give this band a chance.

This release has taken me by suprise. By all accounts I should be not digging this. But I do, alot. The melodies are here in abundance and almost every song on here has a over the top(in a good way) chorus that blows you away. YOu cant deny the hooks on this record. Its not punk..Its pop but there is nothing wrong with that.

I bought this album in the store, because I was curious as to what could ever top the last album (Infinity On High, fantastic album btw), I was slightly differnt, I found my self immediately falling in love with "I Don't Care", "Coffees For Closers", and "Tiffany Blews", but this entire album, pieced together was some of their best, with all the chaos, ironclad tight harmonies, it's an album, I can dance to, I can Run to, or just sing out loud, (though quite off key some times). Totally recommend this album to anyone looking for something fun the listen to.

Minus the kinetic energy of Infinity on High but still driving home the massive hooks they're known for, Fall Out Boy goes for the maturity prize on "Folie A Deux." Given that their pals in Panic At the Disco couldn't survive the change that created Pretty. Odd., it's interesting to note that the maturity seems tentative. There's the glammy lead off single "I Don't Care" and a string laden power ballad, "What a Catch, Donnie," but the sounds you'd expect come through on the harmony laden "America's Sweethearts" and the semi-pretentious song titles.

What's missing is that funky sense of exuberance that marked "Infinity" and From Under the Cork Tree. Just because you can get Elvis Costello to sing a line on one of your better songs and get the Neptunes to produce a track (the otherwise un-memorable "w.a.m.s.") singles more a shark jump than capturing artistic cred. Just ask The Hives, who made the great Black And White Album with Pharrel Williams only to see it vanish like their previous albums did. FoB are big enough to not worry, yet, but the somewhat subdued nature of "Folie A Deux" begins to raise the questions.

I heart fall out boy aaf ever since their release of "infinity on high". I would also give that album 5 stars, every track was a good song! and the same for this album.....i only know of "dance dance" and "sugar we're going down" from their first "big" album "from under the cork tree" and like those songs but every time i try to listen to other songs from that album or previous albums, i'm just not feeling them. I see a lot of people writing that they don't like their new stuff b/c "they changed" their style, and maybe they did but not everyone has to hate it.....everyone likes different things and i personally do not love their old stuff but love the new! one of the best bands!

Ok, I'm not sure if anyone who has bought will buy or is thinking about buying this album knows that the first track isn't actually "disloyal order of water buffaloes" it's actually a track called lullabye which I discovered while playing the cd on my cd player. It doesn't show up as an actual track but can be found by rewinding the first track. I found this to be a really nicce touch to the album, to discover something I didn't even knew that was there. I love the album already but this made me apreciate it even more.

Another good CD from FOB. As in Infinity On High, their sound has evolved and now has a slightly electronic feel. It's not quite as good as Infinity on High, but I definitely recommend this album.

I can't bring myself to take Folie a Deux out of my c.d. player. It's all I want to listen to since purchasing the C.d.

This album is excellent from start to finish. I have listened to it countless times and each time i fall in love with every song. Each one has its own special thing, be it the chorus, a lyric or the musicality of it. I absolutely recomend this album and if you are a true Fall Out Boy fan you will know what i mean.