Fall Out Boy: Ranking Every Album From Worst To Best

Where you stand on Fall Out Boy's evolution - or if you even want to call it that - will largely dictate your feelings on Save Rock and Roll. Is this one splash too many in the shallow end of the pop music pool? Or the first step in conquering mainstream pop radio and validating their climb out of the punk scene?

Rolling Stone suggested in their review of Save Rock and Roll that Fall Out Boy had "delusions of grandeur" with their comeback, and their "over-the-top ambitions" were something of a joke. But it turns out the joke was on Rolling Stone, as well as every critic who failed to catch the not-so-subtle winking sentiments of their bold declarations.

Besides, since when did a little grandeur ever hurt rock music?

Certainly not on Save Rock and Roll, which thumps with grandiose melodies and a sonic palette that really stretches its legs. Despite the album's title, this isn't exactly a big, chugging, guitar-based offering. No, Fall Out Boy instead takes a more layered approach to "saving rock and roll."

Believe it or not, this might also be the band's most sincere offering. They don't hide behind as many cheeky pop culture references and clever turns of phrase as they used to, and they finally sound completely free of the shackles that made them indebted to the Warped Tour crowd.

Anyone who thinks bombastic choruses and earnestness can't go hand-in-hand needs to give this album another listen.

Album Standout: 'The Phoenix'