Fall Out Boy releases musical yearbook

REVIEW (WJRT) -- Two kinds of people generally buy a greatest hits album -- casual fans who want all of the hits all in one place, and completists who will simply by anything with their favorite artist's name on it.

Both will be pleased with Fall Out Boy's latest compilation disc.

In the grand scheme of all things punk and rock, it may be a little early to release a "greatest" of anything, considering FOB didn't hit the mainstream until a little over four years ago with "From Under the Cork Tree." But they had plenty of singles and catchy radio hits to fill over an hour of disc space.

But perhaps the chief motivation for releasing their supple catalog is the "indefinite break" that the group will be embarking on following the end of their current tour with Blink-182. If they never reunite, this is their complete work. If they do, this is merely the first chapter -- a stepping stone for the future, more mature FOB.

While "Cork Tree" pushed Fall Out Boy out of the independent spotlight and into Billboard chart territory, the band will never forget where it all began.

Pete Wentz, Patrick Stump, Joe Trohman and Andy Hurley first found their emo groove on their 2003 album "Take This to Your Grave." Three singles from that album kick start "Believers" with an upbeat candor and the '03 cover art is repeated on the "Believers" disc itself, giving listeners that déjà vu feeling before they even pop the disc in the player.

All of the hits you would expect to see are there, from early smashes "Sugar, We're Goin Down" and "Dance, Dance" to the more recent "This Ain't a Scene, It's an Arms Race," "Thnks fr th Mmrs" and "I Don't Care."

Also included is Fall Out Boy's cover of Michael Jackson's "Beat It," which first appeared on their 2007 live album. After sucking out the distinctly '80s sound from Jacko's hit, it's infused with the appropriate amount of FOB punk -- with a John Mayer guitar solo added for good measure.

The track is a lively breath of fresh air not normally reserved for covers.

Another inspired choice is "What a Catch, Donnie" from the 2008 album "Folie à Deux." It's a song recorded more for its musical integrity than its radio compatibility and features another cameo (this time by Elvis Costello). If you listen closely, you'll also notice the coda features muted lines from multiple FOB hits.

It's this type of ode to their chronology that lets you know that Wentz and Co. don't forget their roots. And listening to the singles in order of release shows you how much the band has matured musically.

From there, the unique material starts rolling in -- the pièce de résistance for hardcore fans in regard to any greatest hits collection -- with "Alpha Dog," only previously released on a demo.

The Christmas-themed "Yule Shoot Your Eye Out" fits in well with their canon as well. Starting out with jingle bells, the lyrics quickly fall back into Wentz's typical love-gone-bad tone.

The visually stimulated won't be disappointed, either, as FOB's label has graciously included a DVD with all of Fall Out Boy's videos. There's also band commentary and even a few easter eggs.

Fall Out Boy has made a career of combining the melodrama of emo, punky humor and veiled shots at their own celebrity. They may be an acquired taste, but to their fans, they will be missed -- for however long their "break" lasts.

The ABC12 Listening Room staff: James Chesna, editor-in-chief; Josh Daunt, managing editor, photographer; LeeAlan Weddel, contributing editor, staff writer; Beth McEnroe, staff writer, photographer; Gwen Mikolajczak, staff writer; Eric Fletcher, chief photographer; Randy Cox, photographer; Chris Carr, photographer; Jessica Reid, contributing photographer; Shawn Light, contributing writer; Robin Chan, contributing writer.

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