Album Review: American Beauty/American Psycho by Fall Out Boy

Back in February 2013, Fall Out Boy announced their return with a promise that they weren’t going away any time soon. Almost two years later, they’re continuing to keep their promise with their sixth studio album, American Beauty/American Psycho. Here’s a song-by-song breakdown of their latest to prepare you for what’s in store.

“IRRESISTIBLE”

American Beauty/American Psycho kicks off with “Irresistible,” a track based on the infamous relationship between Sex Pistols bass guitarist Sid Vicious and his girlfriend Nancy Spungen. It’s about the compulsive, masochistic side of love. The horns add a new dimension to Fall Out Boy’s sound and make for a great start to the album.

Stand Out Lyric: “Your flaws are aligned to this mood of mine”

“AMERICAN BEAUTY/AMERICAN PSYCHO”

This title track both samples Mötley Crüe and draws inspiration from them. It’s a frantic song about accepting who you are. It took me a few listens to warm up to its initial loud chaos, but now I adore it.

Stand Out Lyric: “I think I-I fell in love again/Maybe I just took too much cough medicine/I’m the best worst thing that hasn’t happened to you yet”

“CENTURIES”

Featuring guest vocalist Lolo (Lauren Pritchard, for any Spring Awakening fans out there) and sampling Suzanne Vega’s “Tom’s Diner,” “Centuries” was the first single from this album. According to the band’s tumblr and illustrated by the music video, “Centuries” is a David and Goliath story where the underdog wins. It’s a good message and a good song, but in an album full of great songs, it’s not my favorite.

Stand Out Lyric: “Mummified my teenage dreams/No it’s nothing wrong with me/The kids are all wrong/The story’s all off/Heavy metal broke my heart”

“THE KIDS AREN’T ALRIGHT”

This track shares the same name as my favorite Offspring song, but confusing the two would be tough. It’s a slower, wistful song, but there’s no regret involved. Fall Out Boy’s slightly slower songs tend to fall into my good graces; they’re pretty and take the tempo down a notch without being boring. This one is no exception.

Stand Out Lyric: “Fall to your knees, bring on the rapture/Blessed be the boys time can’t capture/On film or between the sheets/I always fall from your window to the pitch black streets”

“UMA THURMAN”

“Uma Thurman” is the quirkiest song on the album—it samples The Munsters TV show theme song, for one. It’s a song about a powerful woman and what they would do to keep that woman’s attention. The brightness of the opening is reminiscent of Patrick Stump’s solo work.

Stand Out Lyric: “I slept in last night’s clothes and tomorrow’s dreams/But they’re not quite what they seem”

“JET PACK BLUES”

“Jet Pack Blues” is another slower number about unexplained, deep sadness and the person who can help you out of it. According to the band’s tumblr, the person waiting for the other in the rain is inspired by a Pacific Rim scene. Whatever, I’m a sucker for most songs that talk about rain. See also: “Walking in the Rain” by the Ronettes, “3 a.m.” by Matchbox Twenty, “Bus Stop” by the Hollies, “I’m Only Happy When It Rains” by Garbage, etc. etc. etc.

Stand Out Lyric: “She’s in a long black coat tonight/Waiting for me in the downpour outside/She’s singing ‘Baby, come home,’ in a melody of tears/While the rhythm of the rain keeps time”

“NOVOCAINE”

Coming off of “Jet Pack Blues,” “Novocaine” has a hard rock start that would fit perfectly alongside Save Rock and Roll’s “The Phoenix” and “My Songs Know What You Did in the Dark.” It’s a reaction to the abysmal events that have occurred over the course of the past year. It encourages fans to speak up if they’re furious about the current state of affairs.

Stand Out Lyric: “I’m just a problem that doesn’t want to be solved/So could you please hold your applause/Take your sideshow and all its freaks/And turn it into the silver screen dream”

“FOURTH OF JULY”
When people think of the fourth of July, barbeques, fireworks, and the birth of America come to mind, not the pile of regret you’re left with when the right relationship comes at the wrong time. Fall Out Boy’s here to fix that! “Fourth of July” infuses American Beauty/American Psycho with the proper amount of angst so it has the true spirit of Fall Out Boy.

Stand Out Lyric: “You are my favorite ‘What if’/You are my best ‘I’ll never know’”

“FAVORITE RECORD”

Since they’ve brought us down, the band kicks the tempo back up with a nostalgic, uplifting look at the past. “Favorite Record” is a very simple selection; it’s a good upbeat tune, but none of the lyrics really stand out since it’s so repetitive.

Stand Out Lyric: N/A

“IMMORTALS”

Written for Disney’s Big Hero 6, “Immortals” is a family friendly track that doesn’t lose any of Fall Out Boy’s patented attitude or sound. The catchiness and oxymoronic lyrics of “Immortals” captured my attention immediately, and the love hasn’t faded.

Stand Out Lyric: “I’m bad behavior but I do it in the best way/I’ll be the watcher of the eternal flame/I’ll be the guard dog of your fever dreams”

“TWIN SKELETON’S (HOTEL IN NYC)”

Fall Out Boy always ends their albums on high or intense notes, which I appreciate; I dislike when albums close out with super slow tracks like they’re fading out to nothing. It’s the end of the record, you shouldn’t fade out! Let’s do something memorable! Fall Out Boy doesn’t fail on that count—the closing track is intense, fun, and dark.

Stand Out Lyric: “Keep making trouble til you find what you love/I need a new partner in crime and your shotgun”

Overall, American Beauty/American Psycho is another winner for Fall Out Boy—they manage to mature their sound without losing their signature attitude or feeling. One thing I am curious about is why they included so much sampling—“American Beauty/American Psycho,” “Centuries,” and “Uma Thurman” all pull elements from other (credited) pieces of media. It’s like Save Rock and Roll was for guest vocalists and American Beauty/American Psycho is here for guest melodies. Regardless, the album is a great mix of hard rock anthem and slightly-less-hard rock lament.

Rating: 9/10

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