Artist: Fall Out Boy
Album: PAX. AM. Days
Release Date: Out Now
2013 saw the triumphant comeback of Fall Out Boy. A number one album, one of the biggest songs of the year and world wide sold out tours, ensured Fall Out Boy were warmly welcomed back. However, you can’t please everyone. Much has been made of Fall Out Boy’s new “radio friendly” sound, and many have been vocal about speaking to their distaste. So quickly and quietly Fall Out Boy went into the studio with none other than Ryan Adams to record “PAX.AM Days“.
Serving as the polar opposite to their album “Save Rock & Roll“, this new EP is short, fast and aggressive. Dropping the pop from their pop punk sound, we are given riotous songs that proudly wear the bands influences on their sleeve. Bands such as Black Flag, The Misfits, and even old Fall Out Boy are present here, and the band sound more (live) than ever. Recorded over two days the energy is felt throughout the project, with the longest song clocking in at an lengthy 2:42. Opener “Art Of Keeping Up Disappearances” packs everything your typical Fall Out Boy song goes through: intro, verse, chorus, bridge into a tight track that comes in over just a minute. Drummer Andy Hurley has always been one of the strongest aspects of Fall Out Boy. Constantly bringing a metal influence to his drumming over the bands pop songs. Here the band step up to Andy’s level. The riffs are messy and noisy. And Patrick Stump’s usually soulful voice, has had some of the honey taken out and now he screams and wails like a genuine rock God. “Love. Sex. Death” is the best representation of the record. It screams out of the gate, with nihilistic lyrics and little or no melody. It’s the perfect answer to all the dissenters not feeling “Light ‘Em Up” Fall Out Boy. There is a some of the slightly familiar to be found here. On “Caffeine Cold” Patrick manages to invoke a little soul into his vocals bringing back the Fall Out Boy we know and love. It’s still punky as Hell though.
“PAX. AM. Days” is the antidote to the slick production of “Save Rock & Roll“. At times it too feels equally unfamiliar to the standard Fall Out Boy sound. The record is less for fans, and more for the band themselves. But regardless of what stage you are in of your Fall Out Boy worship, this is still a blisteringly awesome record.
7/10
