Fall Out Boy

Fall Out Boy may very well be the MySpace generation's only true rock stars. How many rock bands can still fill arenas? How many play bombastic, larger-than-life shows complete with pyrotechnics, mass sing-a-longs and gasp, gaggles of girl fans? Rock has become so boring in the past few years. Right now, 50 Cent, Lil Wayne and Kanye West are bigger rock stars than anyone with guitars. Except Fall Out Boy, that is. The emo heroes turned arena rock gods have far transcended all expectations, crafting witty, sharp and infectious pop anthems that will stand the test of the fickle, digital Zeitgeist. They're the last rock stars left, and they put on a hell of a show to prove it. Their latest DVD/CD combination Live In Phoenix brightly illuminates that fact.


Fall Out Boy have become bona fide superstars. Penning songs as infectious as "Dance, Dance" and "This Ain't A Scene," they more than deserve that status. Live In Phoenix is a must-have for all Fall Out Boy fans and newbies. Filmed on the band's Phoenix stop of the 2007 Honda Civic Tour, the DVD features a standout show from the tour. Kicking off with "Thriller," the boys emerge from the stage with a bang, flying up into the air like superheroes. The pull off the track perfectly, each note resonating through the soldout arena. However, even though they've got all of the necessary trappings of a big rock show, Fall Out Boy maintain that crucial connection to the fans that have been with them since day one. During "Dance, Dance," bassist/FOB mastermind Pete Wentz and guitarist Joe Trohman play from a platform in the seats close to the fans. Meanwhile Andy Hurley drums at the front of the stage, while Patrick Stump stands elevated above everyone carrying the song's chorus to rapturous heights of emo-angst.

Flames spark intermittently through the set, and the old numbers "Grand Theft Autumn" sound just as fresh as newer cuts like "Hum Hallelujah." Andy Hurley bashes away a big old-fashioned drum solo that gets kids screaming, and each member of the band gets their time in the spotlight. They're one of the few rock bands left where each member has an identity—almost in old school Kiss-fashion. "I slept with Fall Out Boy and All I got was this Stupid Song" is another hit with a huge sing-a-long.

Live in Phoenix’s CD component has the same live show but replaces the live "Beat It" with a studio version featuring John Mayer. That's bound to be a huge ringtone and download, and Fall Out Boy nail it with the America’s resident blues master in tow. It's a fitting tribute to Jacko, because Fall Out Boy are the new kings of pop. In addition, the DVD features a bevy of music videos and a great, behind-the-scenes featurette.

During "Our Lawyers Made Us Change the Name of this Song of this Song so We Wouldn’t get Sued," Stump croons, "Only liars, but we're the best—only good for the latest trends." However, nothing could be further from the truth. Fall Out Boy have proven they're going to last for a long time.

—Rick Florino
04.07.08

Say what you will of their flat-ironed haircuts, wordy song titles, and relationships with exasperating Hollywood starlets, but the boys in Fall Out Boy put on a fairly tight show. Still, is that enough to save Live in Phoenix from being dragged underwater by its own weight? Recorded during the Infinity on High tour, this CD/DVD package features both sides of the band: the talented emo-rock outfit headed by vocalist Patrick Stump (displayed on the audio disc), and the flashy, image-conscious group with Pete Wentz at the center (as evidenced by the DVD). The video portion is enjoyable enough, particularly if you're a dedicated fan, as the pyrotechnics and confetti cannons add a bit of spectacle to the band's performance. At the same time, it's all too easy to overlook Patrick Stump's presence when you're given those visuals, and his contributions are the real meat of Fall Out Boy's sound. Wentz may be the most famous bandmember (even if his agenda seems to center on three things here: screaming into the microphone, introducing songs with unintentionally hilarious speeches, and wearing a fashionable hoodie during the height of summer in an Arizona nightclub), but Stump proves his worth as one of the most competent emo vocalists around, nailing the high notes in "This Ain't a Scene, It's an Arms Race" and plowing his way through series after series of tongue-twisting melodies. He deserves more recognition, and the fact that Pete Wentz so easily hijacks the spotlight shows why many critics dismiss this band. Then again, perhaps the CD's messy cover of "Beat It" is to blame. John Mayer makes a brief appearance on the song's guitar solo, but his presence only heightens the realization that we're listening to Fall Out Boy and John Mayer, not the celebrated partnership of Michael Jackson and Eddie Van Halen. When the bandmates stick to their talents, Live in Phoenix shows them to be competent musicians who've been irrationally slandered by those outside the emo circle. But when Fall Out Boy overstep their boundaries, this album threatens to capsize, regardless of the strength of the performances. ~ Andrew Leahey, All Music Guide