Fall Out Boy – From Under The Cork Tree

When a band breaks out onto the scene with a phenomenal album that changes the way people look at music and makes them an icon in the underground scene in less then a year, they have a lot to follow up with. So everyone wondered what Fall Out Boy‘s follow up to Take This To Your Grave would sound like, and after a lack luster EP (My Tongue Will Always Be The B-Side To My Heart), they were treading on bumpy ground. But despite the obnoxious titles that are way to long to appreciate or even think about, From Under The Cork Tree has proved to be a surprisingly good follow up and has saved the good name of Fall Out Boy from falling into disgrace – and the discount bin.

The thirteen track album features Fall Out Boy‘s signature emo/pop-punk melodies that they did so well on their debut. There’s the silky smooth vocals that carry a perfect pitch and just refuse to leave you alone but swivel around in your memory for days as you find yourself humming the choruses as you walk through the halls. There’s the occasional screams thrown in the background to strengthen the backbone, which are even brought to the front for most of I Slept With Someone In Fall Out Boy And All I Got Was This Stupid Song Written About Me. Then, of course, there’s the thought provoking lyrics with crazy metaphors and great one-liners. Not the best lyrics, but good enough to find its way onto anyone’s MSN name.

Although, at times, even though the CD is really good, it seems to be lacking something. Its as if the awe-factor has worn off from the band and while the debut blew the listener away, this one is just simply entertaining. It seems to have lost some of its originality simply because it is their sophomore and its not as much of a shock to the system as it was two years ago. But the most shocking thing of the entire album is how the band tries to follow in the wake of The Used‘s I’m A Fake with the thirty second rant before their final song, XO. It seems just like a blatant Used rip off.

So let’s cut to the chase: Did you like Fall Out Boy before? Then you’ll like this. It’s a little less of an explosion then Take This To YOur Grave, but it is still damn good.