Save Rock and Roll cover

Save Rock and Roll

Fall Out Boy · 2013

41 min · 11 tracks · alternative rock

Anthemic choruses and theatrical instrumentation collide with confessional lyrics in a bold reassertion of identity.

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Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    My Songs Know What You Did in the Dark (Light ’Em Up) — This lead single serves as both a rallying cry and an anthem of defiance, encapsulating the band's return with explosive energy and catchy hooks.
  • →
    The Phoenix Start here — Opening the album with grandiosity, this track sets the tone for revival and resilience, blending orchestral elements with rock intensity.
  • →
    Alone Together — This song explores themes of connection amidst isolation, showcasing the lyrical depth that characterizes much of the album while maintaining infectious melodies.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

60 /100
Treeline
Higher than 66% of albums we've rated

The album showcases strong songwriting and ambitious production, marking a notable return for the band.

What we noticed

  • The album opens with a high-energy track that sets a dramatic tone, followed by a series of anthemic choruses that dominate the first half.
  • Several tracks feature layered instrumentation, including strings and synthesizers, which contribute to a theatrical sound throughout.
  • The lyrics often reflect personal themes and narratives, creating a confessional tone that contrasts with the grand production.
Composition 25% of the score
7/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
8/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
6/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
7/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
6/10

running order, pacing, length

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

  • steady energetic flow throughout
  • sing-along anthems for gatherings
  • explosive moments of catharsis
  • party-ready tracks with punch
  • nostalgic callbacks to youth

Maybe skip if you

  • prefer slow, introspective music
  • dislike anthemic choruses

Where this album fits

In the catalog
Breakthrough — Marked the band's successful return after hiatus, gaining wider recognition.
Themes
rock music revival· post-breakup resilience
Career context
When 'Save Rock and Roll' was released in 2013, Fall Out Boy had just returned from a three-year hiatus following their split in 2009. This album marked their comeback, showcasing a significant shift in sound and ambition as the band transitioned into a more polished pop-rock aesthetic, moving beyond their pop-punk roots established in earlier albums.
New to Fall Out Boy? Find your way in →

Moments worth listening for

Where the writing does something specific.

  • Just One Yesterday

    The narrator reflects on regret while addressing a past relationship directly, creating an intimate moment amidst broader themes of nostalgia.

    This direct address adds emotional weight to the storytelling, contrasting personal vulnerability against the album's more anthemic moments.

Tracklist

  • 1 The Phoenix Start here 4:05
  • 2 My Songs Know What You Did in the Dark (Light ’Em Up) 3:07
  • 3 Alone Together 3:23
  • 4 Where Did the Party Go 4:03
  • 5 Just One Yesterday 4:05
  • 6 The Mighty Fall 3:33
  • 7 Miss Missing You 3:31
  • 8 Death Valley 3:47
  • 9 Young Volcanoes 3:25
  • 10 Rat a Tat 4:03
  • 11 Save Rock and Roll 4:41

What to play next

American Beauty/American Psycho
Listen next

American Beauty/American Psycho

2015

Continues the bold sound with anthemic energy and introspective themes.
Infinity on High
Go back to

Infinity on High

2007

Sets a similar theatrical tone that leads into the confidence of 'Save Rock and Roll'.
Full Fall Out Boy discography Where to start with Fall Out Boy Artists like Fall Out Boy
alternative rock pop rock pop-punk

If this landed

Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.

Paramore

Paramore

Paramore

Shares anthemic choruses and explores themes of resilience in personal relationships.

Too Weird to Live, Too Rare to Die!

Too Weird to Live, Too Rare to Die!

Panic! at the Disco

Combines pop-punk energy with theatrical elements and a revivalist spirit in its sound.

Don't Panic

Don't Panic

All Time Low

Reflects similar pop-punk roots with catchy hooks and themes of growth and resilience.

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata