Album Review: Fall Out Boy - Save Rock And Roll

No one was expecting a Fall Out Boy album this year. So unless this album turned out to be a major misstep, anything is a bonus for all those rabid fans. In true FOB fashion though, Save Rock And Roll is far from a misstep. This album is Fall Out Boy turned up to 11; strings, shades of glam rock, even Elton John and Courtney Love turn up, though John's guest turn works a little better than Ms Love's.

The best guest spot on the album though is provided by Foxes on Just One Yesterday. Her vocal line playing in perfect harmony with Patrick Stump's. While Stump has often shared mic space with FOB's label mates such as Cobra Starship and Panic At The Disco, it's a striking change to hear a female voice on a Fall Out Boy record and Foxes has been chosen well to play her part.

Although bassist Pete Wentz has always been the most visible member of Fall Out Boy, Stump's voice is what really propels this band and it has never sounded better than it does on Save Rock And Roll. On the piano-driven title track, the singer even holds his own against Elton John. The strings swell and Elton's voice give the song a credence that suggests lighter-waving, anthem moments at plenty of future Fall Out Boy shows.

In fact, this whole album seems written for big stadium moments. Though there's still plenty of Wentz's neat, sassy little phrasings in the lyrics, this album is a long way from the band's teenage emo beginnings.