Fall Out Boy Saved Rock and Roll

Hey,

Sorry for not posting last Friday, but I had plans. J Anyways, I was going to post a review of Fall Out Boy’s new album last week, so I’ll do it this week instead. Without further ado, my top 5 favorite songs off FOB”s new album “Save Rock and Roll…”

5. “Death Valley”- I am so freaking obsessed with this song; I hope I can put it into words. I have literally listened to this song like a million times since the album came on. Patrick’s incredible vocal range, the kicking drum section, and the guitar lines all come together to make a remarkably sick, genius song. I saw some negative comments online about the section around 2:50, which some fans have dubbed “FallStep.” I dunno, I think it’s kind of cool. FOB has the right to experiment with new styles if they want. It’s a cool track and I have a feeling this song is going to be so much fun performed live.

4. “Just One Yesterday” ft. Foxes- I am a big fan of this track as it switches from heavy to light back to heavy. It’s not just playing on one level, but rather many. My favorite aspect is the lyrics “Letting people down is my thing baby/ Find yourself a new gig/ This town ain't big enough for two of us/I don't have the right name/ Or the right looks/But I have twice the heart.” Dang.

3. “Young Volcanoes”- The third single off the album, it has a kind of bouncy, Cali, almost Train-like vibe to it. I appreciate that FOB is experimenting with some acoustic guitars, especially in this track. This song is probably the “happiest” song on the album, considering most of the other songs have a slightly darker tone, but I like it. Very cool.

2. “The Phoenix”-This is my second favorite on the album, though it really deserves like 1.75^th place, because it is just as good as The Mighty Fall. I like the darker sound, Patrick’s soaring vocals, the dynamic changes, and the song combines rock, alt, and a little pop into one big, super good track. I love to see artists branch out every now and then.

1. “The Mighty Fall” ft. Big Sean- I love how it starts out with the light percussion and then eventually everything else just comes in. Patrick’s vocals + the distortion give this song a nice, hard edge; it kind of combines their older stuff with his own Soul Punk album. I truly believe that chorus is the best thing on the album. It’s rough, raw, and entirely perfect. It’s almost taunting, which fits with the theme of the song. The only thing I don’t like is Big Sean’s part, as I don’t think he’s up to par with FOB, but I suppose it could have been worse. J Overall, though, it is by far, my favorite song on the album. Love it!

I just wanted to say really quickly that people on the internet have been complaining about how FOB is different, their new music sucks, it’s Patrick’s fault, they’ve changed, and so on and so forth. But, I saw this really good comment on YouTube that completely supports how I feel about FOB and other artists who change their style. “In music, we generally become fans of an artist on the basis of how he or she executes our own favorite style of music. When they deviate, we complain. Rather than trying to reorient our taste to keep up with the artist himself, we stick to the past. It exposes how we are not really lovers of music or artistry, but ourselves. Following an iconoclast, i.e.[Fall Out Boy], is a challenge, but doing so allows us to grow with [them] rather than using [them] to fulfill our stale expectations. Listen regardless.” Thanks to shotinthedark90 for that insightful statement. Think on that next time you or a friend starts to complain about artists changing their style.

Anyways, thanks for reading.

Until next week,

Bella

Fall Out Boy is Back And Other Songs I'm In Love With

Hey,

So, last week, I wrapped up the series on lyrics. And this week, we’re back to actual music reviews! I know that other series deviated from my typical format, but it’s an issue I’m, obviously, very passionate about.

Without further ado, another installment of “What is Bella Listening To…”

 

My Songs Know What You Did In The Dark by Fall Out Boy- Who else is super excited about these guys getting back together????!!! I guess you can tell I am. J I seriously fell in love with Patrick Stump when I saw him open for Panic! At the Disco last year and I appreciate Fall Out Boy’s stuff a little differently now; I’ve always kind of liked their stuff, but not I really love it. J Anyways, this song starts out with dark distortion, choir-esque vocalizations, and then the down-and-dirty guitar riffs breakthrough and then, it’s Patrick time to shine. (Pardon the cliché) And that chorus!!! Holy crap. It’s just all like KABOOOMMM! That’s the best way I can explain it. It’s wild, yet controlled and just a beautiful explosion of the awesomeness that is Fall Out Boy.

About to Die by Dirty Projectors- I love the strange, African sounding drumbeats at the beginning, delicate plucking noises, and the way everything just trickles in. Some songs start off strong and others just kind of gradually grow. This song hits its peak around 1:18 or so, right before the chorus. Before and after, this song is fantastic.

All These Girls by Atlas Genius- Atlas Genius is one of my favorite discoveries of 2012. They’re Australian, which is totally awesome (I am such a sucker for accents, especially Australian ones J ). This song, like their other tracks, is a mixture of pop meets rock meets alt; and it is totally brilliant. The changing time signatures, varying rhythms, and undulating vocals make for a sweet find. Check them out. J

Running For Cover by Ivan & Aloysha- I like the kind of swaying beat, stripped instrumentation, and the intricately layered vocals. It has kind of a soundtrack feeling, like something that could play in an episode of White Collar or something. That’s cool, in my book. This song is absolutely gorgeous.

I Wanna Be Free by Panic At the Disco- a big throwback, considering this song came out several years ago as a bonus track off their album Vices and Virtues. Nonetheless, the song is easily one of Panic’s best efforts. I love Brendon’s glorious, soaring vocals, Spencer’s steady drumming that, at times, reminds me of Darren King from MuteMath. Love the swift change that occurs around 2:14-ish. I love how they are unafraid to throw something in there like that and it always works. An oldie, but a goodie. J

 

Well, that’s it for this week. Please comment and go to my Contact tab and send me a message or tweet at me. I love to hear from you all!

Until then,

Bella

 

My Top 5 Favorite Music Videos

Hey,
Sorry for not posting last night, but I'm doing it now...so it's okay. :)

Tonight I am doing my top 5 favorite music videos...

5. This City by Patrick Stump

4. I Write Sins Not Tragedies Panc! At the Disco

3. Heart's a mess by Gotye

2. One Thing Leads to Another by The Fixx

1.Spotlight  by MuteMath


5. Patrick Stump rocks. I've mentioned that before, and I think this video solidifies that. I like the black and white footage, the very 1980's effects, and Patrick's sick dance moves. No, he's not exactly the next Usher, but at least he can sing without mandatory autotune.

4. Yeah, I know these guys are, uh, questionable, (see my review of their concert, if you're lost) but this is their "big" breakout track and easily one of their best videos; sorry, hipsters, its true. So, what I like: the theatrical feeling, Brendon's top hat (I mean, seriously, who even wears those any more?), they're actually acting out the lyrics (I feel like that never happens anymore unless you're "getting down with some shawties"), and no dance breaks! Ha, that's incredible. Almost every music video (save for these, I suppose) features some type of choreographed dance break. I'm here for a story and the music, not some choreographer's idea of what's happening. Duh. Oh, well, amazing video/song. (And, yes, I know PATD has other songs; I own almost all of them. I just think this is their best video. But, The Ballad of Mona Lisa is good too as well as Ready To Go, but this is my fav and my blog, so shhh. :D)

3. Ah, Gotye. My favorite Australian. And musician, too. Here's what I dislike: nothing. Here's what I like: it has a futuristic theme, its very somber, I have no idea what is going on (when its a deep confusion, not just "Why are you going to three parties with your girlfriend's sister" type, I like it.), the way the "robots" dance-walk during certain segments of the song, and it reminds me a little of something Johnny Depp and Tim Burton would collab on. It feels like a movie, which is cool.

2. yes, I realize this video is from the 1980's. It's on my list because, well, it's just good music. Sometimes, especially when this song come on, I wish I had been alive during the 1980's; my parents were so lucky. :) This is, in my mind, the perfect video. A perfect video should follow these rules:  Okay, 1) walk around in a tunnel (because everybody in the 1980's just walked around in tunnels. Duh) 2) Wear a suit with the top/shirt unbuttoned enough that when you swing your arms like you are skiing, your chest cleavage either is super visible or you are completely covered by the suit (watch the video if you don't understand) 3) Rock a bad mullet 4) Make weird hand motions as if you are making up a new sign language that looks like a Do Not Cross sign in many different forms 5) Get some creepy dogs 6) Climb a ladder in a shiny outfit; all the cool kids are doing it 7) Have a crime scene lab that can be built in under 5 minutes. Just grab a lady's purse, some constumes from a thrift store, and have at it! 8) Make sure someone in your band looks like a celebrity (The Fixx found Matt Damon's blonde twin) 9) Crawl on the ground. It makes sense if you don't think about it. 10) Chase your bandmates around. One of my favorites from the 80's, which makes me think I should do a favorite videos of the 80's post. That would be cool. :)

1. This video is my favorite because it looks so spastic, so random, so "we're running out of time and we have to whip something together in the next half hour or we're going to look like idiots" that it achieves a high level of awesomeness. I think its great. Between the fact that they look totally cramped and that was the best Paul's hair has ever looked (sorry, I notice the little details), it's amazing. They all get so into the music, considering the fact that they are smushed into the back of a moving van. Amazing? Yes.

In music news, just wanted to let you know, on YouTube, they are broadcasting Bonaroo live. Tomorrow, Young the Gianta and many other alt/music greats are playing. Look it up!

Until next week,
Bella

Sad Post

Hey,
Here We Go. :(

My sad news comes from patrickstump.com. No, he's not dead. No, Brendon Urie didn't attack him (they toured together). No, Fall Out Boy hasn't magically gotten back together (Would that be sad news? Happy?)

Rather, Patrick has announced that he is taking a break from music. Apparently, critics and supposed-fans have absolutely detested his music. That makes me sad. He was a saving grace in this collapsing music industry. Through his efforts in Fall Out Boy, in the song-writing he did for various artists, and his solo career, Patrick made valiant strides to revolutionize the definition of what can make it on the Top-40 radio stations and what real music sounds like. He mentions in the blog post that Soul Punk (his full-length album) was 90% metaphors. Ask a mainstream artist (I'm thinking someone like Ke$ha) what a metaphor is and they'll probably just stare blankly back at you. The only metaphors they know are slang terms for genitalia. Sorry, but it's the truth.

I discovered Patrick's music through the P!ATD concert fiasco and realized he really was a serious musician. I feel bad for the guy. He said in the blog post that fans had mostly negative things to say about his music and his weight-loss. Fine, attack his music, we are all entitled to our opinions, but leave the weight out of it. You can't walk up to a fat person and be like "I liked you better skinny." That's considered harassment. So, you shouldn't be able to walk up to a once-heavy person and say "I liked you better fat." That's mean and unnecessary. Just because you bought concert tickets does not entitle you to the right to attack Patrick or any other artist. It's rude and I am thoroughly disgusted with whoever did that. You should be ashamed of yourself. I don't care how much of a Fall Out Boy fan you are/were; it doesn't matter. You don't get to parade and tell people (namely Patrick) that his old group was better.  You weren't involved in the band so back off. Remember the golden rule: treat others how you want to be treated. Is that how you would want Patrick to talk to you?

I wish Patrick would reconsider but I will respect his decision. Hopefully, he will change his mind, record again, and come back to Iowa....preferably sans Panic!.
Wishing you the best, Patrick! I loved your music and hope the future has fantastic things in store for you!

Until next week,
Bella

Mini Post

Hey,
here's another post that's not really long enough to be a post by itself so I decided to make a mini post. Voila!

Talent If you like talent, watch this video. Patrick, this is just another reason to love you. In a completely non-creepy, admiring, not-in-love-with-you, sort of way. :)

~Bella