I was supposed to have had Fall Out Boy’s new album, Folie á Deux, reviewed yesterday, but I was stuck in the Philly airport trying to get home for Christmas. Though it stressed me to no end, there was a silver lining in all of the long lines, endless cancelled flights, and screaming passengers. I listened to this CD over and over again on my ipod, and the more I listened to it, the more I liked it. I rocked out to “I don’t care” while I was rebooked for the third time, and unwound to “20 Dollar Nose Bleed” after I had booked a hotel room in a Philly suburb.

Fall Out Boy’s newest album is proof that the group has grown artistically throughout their career. Instead of continuing to just play to their demographic, teens, the group has branched out to mature subjects, such as children in “She’s my Winona,” and diverse music styles, such as the classic soul/blues infused end of “w.a.m.s.” This diversity in musical subjects and styles works well for the band, and I hope they continue to diversify from their guitar driven pop/rock sound (best evidenced in their first single from Folie á Deux “I don’t Care.”) Their music has matured as the band themselves have grown, and this entire album is an eclectic mix of musical styles, themes, and great song writing (though I do miss the long descriptive song titles prominent in their older albums.)

This is an album is a rarity in this musical age. Most albums have a few great songs destined to become heavily played radio singles, while the rest are dubbed “skippers” or “fillers,” – songs that just fall flat. In contrast, Folie á Deux is an album where all the songs are smashes, and can be played all the way through – no skipping required. Fall Out Boy’s feat with Folie is something not accomplished by most mainstream artists, except those who record concept albums. It’s an old fashioned record in the land of quick downloadable singles.

Fall Out Boy has always been a guilty pleasure band of mine, one that I would abhor in public, but secretly rock out to in my dorm room. After Infinity on High, I began to stop my public distaste for the band, as songs such as “I’m a Lawyer with the Way I’m Always Trying to Get You Off” proved that the band has some great music chops. Now, after Folie á Deux, I won’t have to be a closet FOB fan. I can sing it from the roof tops, because no one, after listening to this album, can be Fall Out Boy haters.

Jordan’s favourite songs:

• “She’s my Winona”
• “Headfirst Slide into Coopestown on a Bet”
• “w.a.m.s.”
• “20 Dollar Nose Bleed”