Megahit band Fall Out Boy’s newly released album American Beauty/American Psycho (AB/AP) has arguably become their most divisive album yet. Released Jan. 20, the album has sparked a polarizing debate: while many people praise the changes in the band’s tone, others accuse them of selling out and losing their originality.
There is no denying that AB/AP is something of a departure for the band. What both supporters and detractors must accept is that style does not decide whether the album is worth listening to or not. The question is not whether it remains true to the band’s roots, but whether the music itself is worth listening to.
The answer to that question is that it most certainly is. Fall Out Boy may have traded out their traditional guitar riffs for a more modern pop-rock approach, but it works. By embracing modern themes and realities, Fall Out Boy manages to remain relevant. The songs are catchy and retain the lyrical creativity the band is known for.
AB/AP also pays tribute to the past by sampling classic songs on several of their new tracks. Elements from songs such as “Tom’s Diner” by Suzanne Vega, “Too Fast For Love” by Mötley Crüe, and even The Munsters’ TV theme song can be found on the tracks “Centuries,” “American Beauty/American Psycho” and “Uma Thurman,” respectively..
All that being said, AB/AP is still far from a perfect album. The album lacks a consistent overall tone, choosing to explore various different styles. While the different concepts are interesting to listen to, they make the album feel a little disjointed.
Another issue was the nature of the album’s release itself. Over half of the eleven songs found on the album were released prior to the album as singles. When the full album released, many felt that it was very short, largely because the number of new songs released at that time had been drastically decreased, further disjointing the album.
Overall, AB/AP may not be Fall Out Boy’s greatest album, but judging it on its own merits proves its status as a well-made, high-quality album. This writer, at least, looks forward to the continued presence of Fall Out Boy in the music industry for years to come.