Fall Out Boy Back With A Vengence

Fall Out Boy came back from their hiatus with their fifth album Save Rock and Roll. The album followed their 2008 opus Folie à Deux. The album featured guest appearances by Blondie singer Debbie Harry, William Beckett and Lil' Wayne and went between genres. Then in 2009 the band went on hiatus.
This album may not be perfect, but it shows that Fall Out Boy need to be here. Fall Out Boy just can't say away from making music and this record is a testament of that. From the introductory track "The Phoenix" to the album closer and title track which features Elton John, the album has no bad songs. While some songs like "Alone Together" and "The Mighty Fall" which features rapper Big Sean may be a little boring, songs like "Where Did The Party Go" more than make up for them.
The album's highlights would have to be "Just One Yesterday" which features singer Foxes, "Rat a Tat" which features Courtney Love and the Robynesque "Miss Missing You." These songs all show what the band do best, make good music.
The lyrics are another thing that make the album so great. "I'm gonna change you/ Like a remix/ The I'll raise you/ Like a phoenix," front man Patrick Stump sings during the chorus of "The Phoenix." While most of the songs are about breakups and aging, they never get overdone.
This album is a great return for Fall Out Boy, here's hoping that they don't do any silly things like going on hiatus ever again.

William Beckett, solo star

William Beckett, former frontman of the band The Academy is... released his first of three solo EPs that are due out this year. Following suit of other frontpeople like Cassadee Pope of Hey Monday, Chantal Claret of Morningwood and Tyler Carter of Woe, Is Me, Beckett is changing up his sound by releasing Walk That Talk. The EP is features four indie pop songs and each of them are memorable. The standout track and first single "Compromising Me" is a catchy pop song that makes the listener want to dance and sing along to the chorus. "I don't, I don't care, what you're saying about me. No I don't care" Beckett sings over the groove, clearly having the most fun he's had musically in a while.
Another standout track is "Girl You Should Have Been A Drummer," a silly pop-rock jam about Beckett being played like drums by a girl. The songs have summer fun written into the lyrics and the melodies.
"Oh, Love!" is a fun song about...well love. The album closes with the ballad and weakest song on the EP, "You Never Give UP." Even though this song is kind of a dud compared to the rest of the songs, if this EP and his band's past work are any indication, Beckett will be putting out sunny pop songs for years to come and he'll be quite successful at it.

Stuff to be excited about, the April 2012 edition

This year there are many artists that have albums coming out that are sure to be mindblowing.

April 10

Halestorm-The Strange Case of...
The band release their second album. They released an EP with four songs off of this record back in January. It featured the albums first single, "Love Bites (So Do I)" and the song Glee made famous "Here's To Us." This album is probably going to sound a lot like their first album which isn't bad. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

Monica-New Life
After being pushed back several times, the singer releases her seventh album. After two failed promo singles she finally has a hit with "It All Belongs To Me," a duet with Brandy. The two had huge success with their single "The Boy is Mine" back in 1998, 14 years ago. While the song is nothing compared to their past work together, it is still a great R&B song. The album will probably be boring and full of slow songs like most Monica albums of late but there are sure to be some great tracks with Missy Elliott producing a few songs. Monica's last album Still Standing wasn't that stellar but it was still good. Be wary with this album if you aren't a fan of slow soulful songs with lots of feeling.

April 17

Neon Trees-Picture Show
The band released their first single "Everybody Talks" back in January and finally their sophomore album is upon us. Their first album was decent. It had moments of glory like their hit single "Animal" and it gave fans hope for a good second record. Bands are known to fumble on the second record so hopefully this band can stay on top of things.

William Beckett-Walk That Talk
Former The Academy Is... frontman William Beckett will be releasing his first solo EP after their breakup last year. His first single "Compromise Me," is unlike anything that has been heard from him before. Whereas his band were all Emo kings, hopefully Beckett will keep his crown with this EP, the first of three he'll be releasing this year.