Shortly after news broke out of Fall Out Boy’s plans to take a break, the band announced the release of a greatest hits album.
“Believers Never Die – Greatest Hits” has all of Fall Out Boy’s hit singles. It is a great album for listeners who want to get a sampling of Fall Out Boy songs. It includes radio hits like “Sugar, We’re Goin’ Down” and “Thnks fr th Mmrs” in addition to fan favorites “Saturday” and “What a Catch, Donnie.”
Most Fall Out Boy fans will already own almost all of the songs. However, one new song included is “Alpha Dog.” The song is a re-written version of “ALPHAdog and OMEGAlomaniac,” which was originally released on the “Welcome to the New Administration” mixtape in August 2008. Although this is not the band’s strongest, it is a catchy song with clever lyrics.
Also included are three bonus tracks. One of the bonus tracks, “From Now On We’re Enemies,” is a new song that is a definite throwback to their earlier material. Lyrically, it is a classic Fall Out Boy song, with wordplay running rampant.
“Growing Up,” originally found on the disavowed “Evening Out with Your Girlfriend,” is not as lyrically strong as their newer material. However, it has always been a fan favorite. “Yule Shoot Your Eye Out” offers a humorous approach to a Christmas carol.
Another change on the CD is in the song “What a Catch, Donnie,” which no longer includes a guest appearance by Elvis Costello. This change allows singer Patrick Stump to croon an extra line in his angelic voice, which is always a good thing.
The album also includes a DVD feature with videos of all of the singles included on the CD. There is commentary by the band on each of their videos, which provides a personal look into the minds of the band members.
While all four band members provide commentary, guitarist Joe Trohman’s and drummer Andy Hurley’s thoughts are made prominent throughout the duration of the DVD.
It would be impossible to review “Believers Never Die” without considering the album artwork. The main artwork is based on two 5,000 year old skeletons that were found in Italy, and they are surrounded by items that fans will recognize from the band’s past.
The liner notes contain handwritten comments from the four band members, each focusing on one of the band’s albums. The CD itself contains the image of the cover of Fall Out Boy’s breakthrough indie hit “Take This To Your Grave.” The back inside cover contains this image with the band appearing how they look today. Thus, the theme of reconciling the past with the present is continued.
In reality, should Fall Out Boy be releasing a greatest hits compilation just six years after their indie label debut?
The answer is probably not.
But Fall Out Boy has never been a band that takes itself too seriously, and they acknowledge that their greatest hits collection could never compare to those of more accomplished bands.
Nonetheless, Fall Out Boy has created an album that fans will adore. “Believers Never Die” even includes some bonus hidden material that, according to bassist Pete Wentz’s blog, is a “thank you to the fans who have stuck with us through this journey.”
Caitie Beth Shauck can be reached for comment at [email protected]