Dear Pete Wentz,
Hello, my name is Lindsey. Most people call me Linz for short. I'm 15 and in the tenth grade at John F. Kerry high school here in Midland, Michigan. I'm writing you as one of your (and your band Fall Out Boy's) biggest fans. I basically heart you, you hunk of hawtness. Me and my BFF Jess totally bicker at each other over who's hawter, you and
Today Show's Matt Lauwer. (Matt is a total heartthrob, but has nothing on you sweetie). I have listened to your music ever since you released that split with Project Rocket in 2002. I think you have perfected the art form of the pop punk genre in 2003 with your debut LP on Fueled By Ramen records Take This To Your Grave. Grand Theft Autumn has got to be my all-time favorite songs by the band, like oh my gawd. Now its 2005 and you got signed to Island records, the same record label as Sum 41. So exciting because you finally get to expand on your sound with big budget money and the hype feature in todays radio will get you noticed. I so purchased your cd after I saved enough money, after spending my money on 'scene' shirts and make-up.
Wow, I really like outrageously long your song titles are. So sarcastically good. Take "I Slept With Someone in Fall Out Boy and All I Got Was This Stupid Song Written About Me" for example. That title just makes me giggle every time I read it. The song though does have a hint of metal influence to it. Somewhat of a Sum 41 "The Bitter End" slight intro. But why did you attempt to scream as apart of the back up vocals. You soooo don?t got a screaming type of voice. And the fact you don?t scream in very many songs at all, maybe just Saturday on your other full length. This was just done in bad taste.
Like OMG, forgot to mention, congrats on the success of Sugar, We're Going Down. Its was the feel good hit of the summer of '05. Too bad it fell victim to modern radio. It had a nice hook. Taking cues from other pop punk bands such as Green Day, which is such an obvious influence. Like, the vocals from Patrick is totally awesome. Completely original, like way before that guy from Panic! copied off him. But is it true that Tim of Rise Against were the lead vocals in the early versions of Fall Out Boy. I cant even imagine that, after hearing Patrick?s unique drowning, yet beautiful vocals. Dance, Dance also fell victim to those radio bastards. It still appeals though. Its bouncy, fun and has the most clapable verse since the 1991 one hit wonder by Mr. Big, but gets drowned out at the end with the repeats of Dance, Dance.
Your quite a good bassist. Somewhat reminds me of Good Charlotte. Don?t worry, that?s not a bad thing. That just means its quirky and easy to the ears. Honestly, I have a dark alley and a bad idea for you if you let me *total winkage*. But that song of that same name is the most mellow song on here. Vocals fit well to the less tempo track. Well, I just so love the first track, another one of those "ridiculous" song titles, it sort of makes me wonder what the original title is, since it had to be changed. I wonder if by a chance you can just tell me, I'd love you forever if you did. It carries the catchiest hooks on the album. Bouncy as all hell, I just heart it so much. Like oh-muh-gawd, you totally look at me during the Detroit performance at Joe Louis arena as Patrick sang the line "I'll be your best kept secret, and your biggest mistake" during the song "Nobody Puts Baby in the Corner." We totally had a moment, like our souls were one for just a split second. I loved it in the song where the music stops while Patrick still sings.
But musically its too similar to the rest of the album. That?s one of my complaints about it. Most of it, with the exception of the "I've Got a Dark Alley" song, is one big mesh of similarly constructed guitar hooks, basic drumming, and catchy hooks. Not saying that?s all bad, just didn't expand on the sound of Take This To Your Grave too much like I hoped. Take the 3 songs (A Little Less Sixteen Candles..., 7 Minutes in Heaven, and Off All the Gin Joints in All the World) for example. All 3 could have been worked on a little bit more to make them stand out. Also Champagne for My Real Friends, Real Pain for My Sham Friends is just a complete filler flat out. The 'Foo Fighters escque guitar intro didn't do it for me, and it basically loses all catchyness to it. XO is a pretty simple song. Its got its good qualities, but the chorus drags towards the end, but its still a solid finish for the album.
Honestly, this could have been better. Just wanted to give you my opinion on it so you can have the boys improve for the follow up. It had potential, like Take This To Your Grave did. Just didn't expand like I thought. But for the next record, you can honestly be either the Sophomore Slump or Comeback Of The Year with the next major label release. Of course there are some great songs to be had. But you did what many bands that sign to a major label just
wish they can do. Making an album that contracts an all new fan base while not alienating their old base, like how obviously Green Day did.
Much love XOXO
Sincerely,
The future Lindsey Wentz
P.S.
The Sludge's Thumb Ups:
I've Got a Dark Alley and a Bad Idea That Says You Should Shut Your Mouth
Get Busy Living or Get Busy Dying (Do You Part to Save the Scene and Stop Going To Shows)
Our Lawyer Made Us Change the Name of This Song So We Wouldn't Get Sued
