American Beauty/American Psycho
by Fall Out Boy
  • Record Label: Island
  • Release Date: Jan 20, 2015
User Score
7.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 186 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 149 out of 186
  2. Mixed: 20 out of 186
  3. Negative: 17 out of 186
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  1. garfield7081
    Mar 25, 2022
    6
    suffers from the same problems many rock albums face- holes between great songs are filled with generic and boring music

    best song: novocaine

    worst song: twin skeleton's
  2. Hackskeptic
    May 28, 2015
    4
    The supposed big comeback album sees Patrick Stump and co. playing it dreadfully straight with a synth pop sound that will probably suit Maroon 5 fans.

    It depends on your mood…you can either take this album as a joke or a bad dream.
  3. Wael
    Jul 2, 2015
    5
    This is not what we expected when FOB said they were shaking up their sound. This is too much 'pop' for them. The record itself isn't bad, not bad at all. But the fact that it is not even close to the goodness of "Save Rock and Roll" and is delivered by a ROCK band like FOB is really unfortunate. FOB did not save rock and roll after all..
    PS: That Uma Thurman song is really irritating.
  4. Scratch
    Jan 23, 2017
    6
    While not quite as disappointing as 2013's Save Rock and Roll, post-hiatus Fall Out Boy are still not in a comfortable spot musically, and it feels like they realize that too. They were always good at melding different genres into their rock and pop-punk style, but here it just never hits home, and they never stop jumping around in terms of style. There are catchy songs here, and a lot ofWhile not quite as disappointing as 2013's Save Rock and Roll, post-hiatus Fall Out Boy are still not in a comfortable spot musically, and it feels like they realize that too. They were always good at melding different genres into their rock and pop-punk style, but here it just never hits home, and they never stop jumping around in terms of style. There are catchy songs here, and a lot of emotion is definitely involved, and because of that I'll always give Fall Out Boy a chance.… Expand
  5. agibbons_96
    Dec 10, 2015
    6
    On their second record since their reformation, and their sixth overall, Fall Out Boy continue to explore more electronic and symphonic territory, blurring the lines between rock and pop in the process. To their credit, Fall Out Boy have always tried to adapt to a constantly changing music industry without ever fully leaving their pop punk/rock roots behind, and have largely pulled it offOn their second record since their reformation, and their sixth overall, Fall Out Boy continue to explore more electronic and symphonic territory, blurring the lines between rock and pop in the process. To their credit, Fall Out Boy have always tried to adapt to a constantly changing music industry without ever fully leaving their pop punk/rock roots behind, and have largely pulled it off since their inception. However, this is probably the first record from them that feels more pop than rock - more generic than raw, but it must be said, most of these songs here are as catchy as hell! None more so than “Uma Thurman”, which uses a sample form the show “The Munsters”. With is funky bassline, groovy guitar work and raw, impassioned vocals, it is not only one of the best songs released this year, but is possibly one of the best the group have ever written (and definitely their best since their comeback). The group's pop appeal is as strong as ever, and the other singles (“Centuries” and “Immortals” especially) demonstrate that very well, both of which feature impressive vocal performances form lead singer Patrick Stump and good variation and experimentation with instruments. While the album does have some very good moments, it's more... generic sounding material in the album's second half loses replay value pretty quickly and over the long haul, acts as just filler, but at thirty-nine minutes, the record still feels fairly concise, tight, and not too drawn out. The group can, and have showed that this any new direction they've went in has paid dividends in the past, but this record might be the first signs that Fall Out Boy may be on the verge of a creative decline. Here's hoping it isn't...

    Album Highlights - “Centuries”, “Uma Thurman” and “Immortals”.    … Expand
  6. blien16
    Sep 8, 2015
    6
    Although with its catchy choruses and hooks, the album is seemingly a hodgepodge of songs that don't seem to compliment each other. I do applaud them for wonderfully blending rock and pop together, but their level of mastery doesn't seem to match their previous album. It appears in this album that the pop production is outshining the rock elements. I'm not crying out for them to return toAlthough with its catchy choruses and hooks, the album is seemingly a hodgepodge of songs that don't seem to compliment each other. I do applaud them for wonderfully blending rock and pop together, but their level of mastery doesn't seem to match their previous album. It appears in this album that the pop production is outshining the rock elements. I'm not crying out for them to return to previous punk rock style, but it would help to sound less overproduced. Overall, I love the album, but would still prefer to see Fall Out Boy take on a new direction.… Expand
  7. LeoDiCaprioFan
    Apr 25, 2016
    5
    The first 5 songs on this album are good, but the other songs are boring, I couldn't even listen to the last 6 songs. I'm kinda a new fan of Fall Out Boy, their best known songs like "My Songs Know What You Did In The Dark" is the only song I find really good than the first 5 songs on this album. This album was alright. I guess.

Awards & Rankings

38
#38 Most Discussed Album of 2015

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
72

Generally favorable reviews - based on 15 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 15
  3. Negative: 0 out of 15
  1. Absolute Punk (Staff reviews)
    Mar 9, 2015
    85
    On the whole, American Beauty/American Psycho is Fall Out Boy's most consistent and bottom-line best album ever.
    Read full review
  2. Spin
    Feb 6, 2015
    60
    It's more ideation than practice, which is why the too-cluttered American Beauty/American Psycho won't be this band's American Idiot.
    Read full review
  3. Kerrang!
    Feb 2, 2015
    60
    It's an often thrilling listen. [17 Jan 2015, p.52]
See all critic reviews »