Fall Out Boy continue their fast decline from their hardcore pop-punk roots. (Folie A Deux - Fall Out Boy)

Member Name: AaronHand

Product:	Folie A Deux - Fall Out Boy
Date:	08/06/09 (8 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Well Produced, Accessible, Memorable In Parts

Disadvantages: Very Average, Nothing Particulary Standout, Occasionally Boring

Fall Out Boy return with yet another album, and unfortunately, they appear to be remaining on their steady decline, sinking deeper and deeper into the mainstream, radio friendly cliche.
Fall Out Boy gained many fans from their early material, they were hardcore pop punk artists, who had a unique quaintness, an edge which seperated them from the rest of the crowd. And this was a characteristic they kept through to From Under The Cork Tree (possibly the peak of Fall Out Boy). However, from then on, Fall Out Boy have been on a slippery slope down to a mainstream, average and frankly quite boring place.
Infinity On High started this decline, and Folie A Deux sure as hell carries on what IOH started.

By no means are these bad songs, they are very well produced, undeniably well arranged, and I daresay catchy. But, they lack that edge, that unique quality once carried by Fall Out Boy. Most of the songs are just plain average, hardly memorable and in such a broad market place, they stand up no better than half the artists out there.

Guitars have been tamed, and many of their pop-punk elements have been replaced in favour of synths, piano and various studio gimmicks, resulting in what frankly, is an over-produced pop album. Completely the opposite to the raw, pop-punk madness Fall Out Boy created in their peak.

If you are fans of their older stuff...You will be undoubtedly disappointed again. They seem to be progressing further and further into a market of mainstream, bland and quite average music, and I can't see Fall Out Boy ever recovering from this, they will quite simply just slip further in, and become just another average band.

Saying this, a fair few of the songs are catchy, and some even echoe material from better years gone by. And for a pop album, its not half bad. There isn't any particulary bad songs, just, nothing special or edgy.
They need to turn back to their punk roots, or they risk losing many more fans. Yet, they will also gain many fans, as this music is much more accessible than previous efforts.

Track List-
1. "Disloyal Order of Water Buffaloes" - 4:17
2. "I Don't Care" - 3:34
3. "She's My Winona" - 3:51
4. "America's Suitehearts" - 3:34
5. "Headfirst Slide into Cooperstown on a Bad Bet" - 3:54
6. "The (Shipped) Gold Standard" - 3:19
7. "(Coffee's for Closers)" - 4:35
8. "What a Catch, Donnie" - 4:51
9. "27" - 3:12
10. "Tiffany Blews" - 3:44
11. "w.a.m.s." - 4:38
12. "20 Dollar Nose Bleed" - 4:17
13. "West Coast Smoker" - 2:46

Standout tracks are:
"I Don't Care" - Driving chrous, very memorable, and one of the few songs which echoes their previous, rockier material
"Headfirst Slide into Cooperstown on a Bad Bet" - Although very different, this song contains an instantly classic guitar riff and is one of the more powerful songs on the album.
"What a Catch, Donnie" - One of the slower songs on the album, but a very well constructed song. It is absolutely epic, and towards the end, lyrics from many previous singles and songs can be heard in the background. Again, a different type of song for Fall Out Boy but very successfully done.

These are the standout tracks, but other songs that provide some relief from the onslaught of average pop tunes, and songs that are more accessible to those who appreciate Fall Out Boys rockier days are:
"The (Shipped) Gold Standard"
"(Coffee's for Closers)"
"America's Suitehearts"

Overall, this album will completely turn away some hardcore FOB fans, who will see it as selling out and too mainstream. And they have a fair point. However, its this accessibility and radio-friendliness that will provide them with new fans and a new audience for their material. It is a bunch of average, and slightly disappointing songs from such legends of rock, but is by no means a complete failure.

Summary: An average album created by once great rockers. Still glimpses of greatness, but all hope is fading.