Ever since the immense success of their second full length album, From Under The Cork Tree, which went double platinum, the guys from Fall Out Boy and in particular lyricist and bassist Pete Wentz have served as icons of this decade’s rejuvenation of the pop genre. Your mothers-in-law’s dream boys as fronted by Backstreet Boys and Boyzone are but fainted memories, replaced by screaming emo-kids with a depressing outlook on life, and Fall Out Boy are the indisputable forerunners of the genre.

Folie a Deux, which loosely translates to something like “a madness shared by two”, is their fourth studio album, and it terms of conveyed meaning it doesn’t stray from the path set by its predecessors. The opening track, Disloyal Order of Water Buffaloes, which seems to borrow certain melodic traits from The Who’s Baba O’Riley, sets the standard as the guys shout about how they “detox just to retox”.

As we proceed the record is full of semi-memorable moments, most of which are cemented by Wentz’ depressing, yet awkwardly soothing lyrics, Patrick Stump’s amazing voice and a vast range of instruments with a monstrous sound that would make even the hardest of poodle rockers from the 80’s proud. I Don’t Care and Headfirst Slide Into Cooperstown On A Bad Bet will both please fans as they act as proof of a band staying true to its roots.

At the same time it’s a curious coincidence that the most memorable tracks of the album are those that differ and departure from the band’s traditional sound. These highlights include the ballad What A Catch, Donnie which features a cameo appearance from Elvis Costello, and 20 Dollar Nose Bleed (featuring Brendan Urie of Panic At The Disco) which is obviously inspired by classic pop-sound of former labelmates The Hush Sound.

Identity questions put aside, Folie a Deux is another solid effort from one of today’s most popular contemporary pop bands, and it will most likely go a long way in pleasing those long-time fans that were left somewhat disappointed by their previous record, Infinity On High. It’s not spectacular in any sense, but it has its obvious moments, and I don’t see any signs indicating that the success of Fall Out Boy will be declining with this album as long as poodle rockers and boybands continute to stay without mainstream appeal in favor of a hybrid of the two.

You can purchase Folie a Deux digitally as well as CD and vinyl LP formats from Amazon.

/ Posted: Dec 11, 2008
/ Written by: Lars-Christian
/ Category: Album Reviews
/ Artist(s): Fall Out Boy