If you lived through what we music aficionados call the “emo movement” from 2005-2006, you’d know that the re-emergence of era leaders Fall Out Boy last week caused an interweb riot, to say the least.
But before you rummage through your closet for your Hot Topic skinnys, let’s think this over.
Sure, Fall Out Boy has made some great music that got us through the awkward middle school years.
However, will this type of music be able to withstand today’s music industry that has not only moved onto more electronic-fueled sales, but generally seems to hold artist comebacks at an arm’s length?
The Pros: New Stuff
The new material (which was announced Monday) is good — seriously. If you’re a FOB fan, this is what you’ve been waiting to hear.
The first single “My Songs Know What You Did In The Dark (Light ‘Em Up)” is just as catchy as their old stuff. Plus it’s complete with a video featuring 2 Chainz.
The Boys are up to their old tricks, mixing their fast-paced pop-rock with visible nods to their supposed street cred in the biz.
Along with the single, the band announced a new record, “Save Rock and Roll,” and a coinciding summer tour.
Die-hard fans who have waited for fresh tracks shouldn’t be disappointed — this is exactly what the band did three years ago.
The Cons: “New Stuff”
All of these announcements — which bassist Pete Wentz had been adamantly denying in the press up until the release date — should be taken with caution.
There’s no telling how well the new material will be embraced by the industry. As much as we might not want to admit it, that’s just how it works.
Today’s music business seems to be dominated by electro-pop fusion artists. It’s a trend, just like emo rock was in the mid-2000s.
What makes this all tricky for FOB is how the band will maneuver the new trends. Lots of artists trying to make comebacks are falling flat with very few exceptions.
I’m not saying Fall Out Boy won’t be successful, but in a few short years, the industry has changed. It needs to figure out a way to make its old sounds new again.
