American Beauty/American Psycho
by Fall Out Boy
  • Record Label: Island
  • Release Date: Jan 20, 2015
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
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  1. Entertainment Weekly
    Jan 15, 2015
    100
    American Beauty/American Psycho, the quartet's seventh studio album, is even better [than 2013's Save Rock and Roll], and reveals them as perhaps the only current mainstream rock combo capable of making big-venue sing-alongs that also reward deep headphone analysis.
  2. 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.
  3. The A.V. Club
    Jan 20, 2015
    83
    With the benefit of hindsight and perspective, the narrators reach something close to emotional enlightenment. Yet American Beauty/American Psycho is no nostalgia trip. If anything, the record also contains the most contemporary-sounding music of the band’s career.
  5. Alternative Press
    Jan 16, 2015
    80
    If it’s a retread you want, American Beauty/American Psycho isn’t for you. Because it’s the sound of a band boldly challenging themselves and their fans to let the past be just that, while embracing the weirdness and uncertainty of the new and the next.
  6. The Guardian
    Jan 15, 2015
    80
    American Beauty/American Psycho also bristles with nervy ambition, and if it’s not an American Idiot-style career-changer, it’s certainly one of their better releases.
  7. Exclaim
    Jan 21, 2015
    70
    Fall Out Boy have honed in on an arena-rattling brand of pop that is different for sure, but likeable nonetheless.
  8. Paste Magazine
    Jan 21, 2015
    70
    AB/AP is more intriguing when the band follows their wackiest instincts.
  9. AllMusic
    Jan 20, 2015
    70
    Fall Out Boy have taken great efforts to incorporate whatever was happening on the charts, an inclination that isn't quite as necessary in the great digital disassociation of the 2010s, yet this inclination does give American Beauty/American Psycho a bit of a kinetic kick. It also gives it a slight air of desperation.
  10. Los Angeles Times
    Jan 20, 2015
    63
    The result, at least for the first half, is almost comically exciting, one fist-pump adrenaline rush after another.... Alas, Stump and his bandmates run out of steam by the end of American Beauty/American Psycho.
  11. 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.
  12. Kerrang!
    Feb 2, 2015
    60
    It's an often thrilling listen. [17 Jan 2015, p.52]
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  13. PopMatters
    Jan 23, 2015
    60
    Fall Out Boy have defined their sound and vision going forward with American Beauty/American Psycho. What exists here is a reasonably entertaining blueprint; the follow-up will tell if they can keep the momentum built here going or not.
  14. DIY Magazine
    Jan 20, 2015
    60
    At times the record may not hang together, but it makes up for that in its colour, its audacity, and its unabashed sense of pride at giving just about anything a go.
  15. Rolling Stone
    Jan 20, 2015
    60
    When everything connects--like on the single "Centuries"--FOB are a glorious nexus of Seventies glitter rock, Eighties radio pop, Nineties R&B and Aughts electro stomp. But the LP still runs the risk of being too cutesy and referential.
  16. Consequence
    Jan 15, 2015
    42
    The band’s talent and the occasional strike of inspiration make it impossible to write off AB/AP entirely. Let’s just hope they eventually strike a balance that’s true to themselves and doesn’t come off like a mainstream radio retread.

Awards & Rankings

38
#38 Most Discussed Album of 2015

User Reviews

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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
  1. Orlandreson
    Jan 20, 2015
    0
    The album is awful. Fall Out Boy has been losing quality throught the years and this time was not diferente. Irrestible and Fourth of July areThe album is awful. Fall Out Boy has been losing quality throught the years and this time was not diferente. Irrestible and Fourth of July are just okay. The rest of it is lame! Fillers songs, with bad production and lyrics.… Full Review »
  2. primusterra
    Feb 25, 2015
    10
    This album is absolutely fantastic! By far one of their best, people complaining that they've 'changed' need to bloody understand that itsThis album is absolutely fantastic! By far one of their best, people complaining that they've 'changed' need to bloody understand that its been 14 years since they started, and I'm fairly certain you've changed in the past decade also. A definite 10/10, Fall Out Boy continue to put me in awe with their more-than-amazing music. They've managed the mix deep, heartwarming, angsty and excitement into one album!… Full Review »
  3. andrepusey1
    Jan 20, 2015
    7
    AB/AS is a solid, if not safe, release. FOB have clearly evolved from their early days of quick pop-punk -- gone are the long titles, heavyAB/AS is a solid, if not safe, release. FOB have clearly evolved from their early days of quick pop-punk -- gone are the long titles, heavy riffs and emotional lyrics; in come the electronic instrumentation, pop producers and repetitive delivery. Where Save Rock and Roll was very much a transitional album, with FOB trying to find their feet after their hiatus, AB/AS is planted a bit more solidly in the new sound of the band. Every track is decent, but very little (other than maybe the first three tracks) jumps out and grabs you. This is a good album to listen to a few times, but I can't see it staying at the top of my playlist for much longer than a month or so. It's been called a risky album, but maybe a few more risks outside of this defined bubble would have benefited the record. Also, it's too short. Patrick Stump still clearly has the vocal talent, though.… Full Review »
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