Fall Out Boy was on track to set the world record for the shortest amount of time to play all of the world’s seven continents last Wednesday but all of that was for nothing. The band and their crew made it all the way to Chile and were waiting in their hotel rooms for the go signal from organizers to proceed to the last continent on their list – Antarctica. All they needed to grab the record was to perform in Antarctica by last Thursday when weather conditions in the icy continent wouldn’t cooperate and prevented them from traveling. That’s too bad. They were so close too.
Pete Wentz and the rest of his band Fall Out Boy attended People magazine’s Grammy nominations party at Avalon Hollywood in Hollywood on Thursday night. And he was not a happy camper.
It appears that Pete is one very sore loser especially since he and the band attended the party and even had to perform at the party yet they had no Grammy nominations to show for it. And Pete had no problem letting the audience know his displeasure. He pitched a fit, threw his mic stand in the air and flung his bass against the speakers. Was that a fit or just part of the show?
As a beat kicks in that would not be out of place on a Scissor Sisters album, you may find yourself doing a double take and checking the name of the band once more, but then a muscular pop-rock chorus kicks in that is more familiar to Fall Out Boy fans.However, more is the important word here and the fact that it is not the same. There’s an organic power to the chorus here that is reminiscent of bands like the Strokes and the Vines leaving “Sugar, We’re Going Down” behind. It is a direction that holds promise for the boys from Wilmette even if they don’t sound completely comfortable and at peace in the new skin.
Lyrically, “Arms Race” is classic Fall Out Boy. Kicking off with the potent lines “I have the lyrics / I am an arms dealer / Fitting you with weapons in the form of words,” the song will have fans picking apart meanings for months to come. There is a touch of the sinister entertainment emcee about the song which seems to indicate a touch of influence from the band’s proteges Panic! At the Disco.
The best thing about this new single is the band is far from resting on their extensive laurels. They are willing to experiment, and we are happy to go along for the ride.