Former Fall Out Boy vocalist takes center stage with new suave sound
When Fall Out Boy announced it was taking an indefinite hiatus in 2009, pop-punk fans across America wondered what would come of the band’s members, especially beloved frontman Patrick Stump.
Stump had no plans to leave the music business and has worked as a producer on albums for Cobra Starship and Gym Class Heroes since Fall Out Boy disbanded. And, the former Fall Out Boy is seizing the microphone again with the release of his full-length solo debut, “Soul Punk,” the follow-up to February’s six-song “Truant Wave” EP.
“Soul Punk” is a departure from Stump’s Fall Out Boy days. For starters, Stump can’t hide behind Pete Wentz’s big personality or onstage shenanigans. Anyone who ever saw Fall Out Boy in concert knows that Stump rarely spoke onstage and preferred to fade into the background, letting Wentz provide the witty banter and start the group clap — but he can’t do that anymore.
Flying solo has enabled Stump to transform from heartbroken emo kid to smooth-talking partier.
Stump has experienced a physical transformation over the past three years, too. Gone are the mutton-chop sideburns and newsboy caps of the “Take This to Your Grave” era. Stump’s hairstyle is shorter and quite suave. He’s been spotted wearing sharp suits and has lost weight since his Fall Out Boy days, giving the singer a confidence boost. Stump’s new attitude is ever-present throughout his new collection of songs.
“Soul Punk” is appropriately titled because the album is combination of the two genres. Stump doesn’t fall completely into the R&B/soul category but he isn’t entirely 1970’s Ramones-style punk either.
If you’re looking for raw, rocking guitars and drums to back up Stump’s voice, you’re not going to find much of that on “Soul Punk.” The music on “Soul Punk” is rooted in drum machines and electronic hooks, which sometimes become repetitive.
All of the songs on the album run a bit longer than three minutes; if you aren’t keen on the back beats, tracks can seem to last for an eternity.
Stump’s voice is the selling point of the album. This man could sing about nearly anything and make it sound exciting. He sings with heart and even when the lyrics come across as corny — which they often do, especially on party song “Run Dry (XHeartXFingers)” — he keeps listeners from tuning out by belting out a powerful high note or jazzy vocal riff.
In addition to singles “Spotlight (New Regrets)” and “This City,” featuring rapper Lupe Fiasco, three tracks on the album really stand out.
“The ‘I’ in Lie” gives Stump a chance to channel iconic artists such as Prince and Michael Jackson on his own dance floor anthem. Stump puts his higher vocal register to good use on this song and the overall package sounds like a throwback to another era until the chorus kicks in with power.
“Everybody Wants Somebody” has a heartbreak theme, but the lyrics have a positive spin. Stump begins the chorus with, “Everybody wants somebody who doesn’t want them,” but assures listeners that it’s okay, singing “don’t give up.” The lyrics are simple, but Stump’s “woo-hoo” crooning brings the words to life beautifully and the catchy beats will be stuck in listeners’ heads for days.
On “Allie,” a track near the album’s end, Stump lets his inner angst show with lyrics like, “I’m not broken hearted / I’m just kind of pissed off” and “Allie, I was so good back then / But I wonder if I’d be so good if I saw you again.”
Stump should be applauded for taking a risk musically.
“Soul Punk” isn’t perfect, but the singer’s got the right idea. Even if album sales are less-than-stellar, this isn’t the last we’ll hear of Stump’s buttery-smooth, heartfelt voice.