Fall Out Boy have lost their lyrical edge

Granted it’s not a case of ’we don’t please, we don’t eat’ anymore for Fall Out Boy, who on fifth album Save Rock N Roll take more fan dividing risks than ever before, however after a cursory listen to the Chicago band’s latest offering it seems they don’t harbour the same lyrical punch they used to.

Soon after forming twelve years ago they became a vortex for the emotionally inarticulate, even their verbose song titles became t-shirt slogans. Now, on the ARIA #2 LP – which was recorded in secret and ended their four-year hiatus upon release this month – they’re quick to either take us to the hook to introduce one of the high profile cameos or polarise fans with ambitious guitar-pop fizzles, meanwhile it’s as though the ink had barely dried on the verses.

While Fall Out Boy have been taking the road less travelled since 2007’s Infinity On High – when a genre altruistic ear was required and Jay-Z kicked off their foray into hip hop – the album trades in wit and bawdy confidence for sonic profligacy and grand, empty statements. As always, our opinion is arguable, but below are a few lines fromSave Rock N Roll that we found rather lightweight.

“My heart is like a stallion/ they love it more when it’s broken.” – Alone Together

“Tonight I’m high as a private jet.” – Alone Together

“I’m gonna change you like a remix/then I’ll raise you like a phoenix.” – The Phoenix

“Anything you say can and will be held against you/so only say my name/it will be held against you.” Just One Yesterday ft. Fleet Foxes

Ironically, the song with the strongest lyrics and the collaboration with Courtney Love, preempts a fall out: “Are you ready for another bad poem? / One more off-key anthem.” – Rat A Tat

“I’ll be your favourite drug/I will get you high.” – Death Valley

While hoping for a codified aesthetic to From Under The Cork Tree(2005) or Infinity On High (2007) would be foolish if not petty, below are a few reasons to stock up on Fall Out Boy’s less airbrushed back catalogue.

“Let’s play this game called ‘when you catch fire’. I wouldn’t piss to put you out” – Tell That Mick He Just Made My List Of Things To Do Today (Take This To Your Grave)

“So wear me like a locket around your throat/I’ll weigh you down/ I’ll watch you choke/ You look so good in blue.” – Sugar We’re Going Down (From Under The Cork Tree)

“You are the dreamer and we are the dream/I could write it better than you ever felt it.” – Hum Hallelujah (Infinity On High)

“I’m just a notch in your bedpost/but you’re just a line in a song.” – Sugar We’re Going Down (From Under The Cork Tree)

“Oh don’t mind me I’m watching you two from the closet/wishing to be the friction in your jeans.” – Sugar We’re Going Down (From Under The Cork Tree)

“Drink down that gin and kerosene and come spit off bridges with me.” – Nobody Puts Baby In The Corner. (From Under The Cork Tree)

“You’re appealing to emotions I simply do not have.” – It’s Hard to Say ’I Do’, When I Don’t (Infinity On High)

“She said he tastes like you only sweeter.” – Thnks Fr Th Mmrs (Infinity On High/reference to 2004 film Closer)

“We get nostalgic for disaster.” – Hum Hallelujah (Infinity On High)