Album Review: American Beauty/American Psycho, Fall Out Boy

I can't even describe to you how happy and emotional I was when Fall Out Boy came back from their hiatus. I woke up and suddenly, one of my favorite bands was back from the dead. I've been listening to them since I was in 8th Grade. The only reason I got to see them live (and meet them!) was because of this come back. I'm so thankful for that.

Shout out to my meet and greet photo from August.

Somehow, though, I never really thought of them having a second album after coming back with "Save Rock and Roll" - I was just living in the high of having them back for that. Then the announcement came around that this album was going to come out and I couldn't believe it. It does not disappoint.

So let's dive into a track by track review!

Track One: Irresistible

This is an immediate stand out for me. The sound, the lyrics - all of it just screams "HELL YES!" to me. One of my favorite lines is in this track: "You look so Seattle but feel so LA." You immediately get what the line means in today's culture and I like that this song opens the album. Fall Out Boy is known so much for their clever, turn of phrase lines like this. (Throwback: "I'm just a notch in your bedpost. But you're just a line in a song.")

Track Two: American Beauty/American Psycho

Oh man. So in an interview Patrick Stump said this is probably his favorite song from the record because it's one of their first "up tempo" songs for a long time. I think I get what he's saying here - it sort of reminds me of the frantic nature of "Dance, Dance" or "The Take Over, The Break's Over" - and seeing it live will be fantastic. I like it. I love the video, as well. It was definitely a different direction than "Save Rock and Roll," which featured the band members so heavily.

Track Three: Centuries

Oh man. So I listened to this song on repeat for days after they released it months ago. I was so thrilled I loved the song. If you're a fan of a long running band or artist, you know you hold your breath before listening to a new song. Not liking it is disappointing, but you don't want to force yourself to be into it either. Thankfully this didn't happen. It's just so damn catchy and so many lyrics stand out that it wasn't even a problem. I loved it within the first thirty seconds.

Also: how funny is it that this is the only song that "features" another artist (Lolo)? The last album had so many guests - Elton freaking John, Courtney Love, Big Sean - and I loved hearing Fall Out Boy with other people, but I like this step back. It might just come from having to throw the record together after they put out Centuries and were like, "shit, well now we have to make an album," but either way, I like the choice.

Track Four: The Kids Aren't Alright

I like this slower song on the album. While all the songs are emotional in their own ways, this just sticks out as a very youth anthem to me. Give me this song acoustic, with only a guitar or piano, covered by literally anyone and I'll listen to it. I just think it would be even more amazing stripped down. (If you saw Fall Out Boy on tour, you know that Patrick starts "Young Volcanos" off by himself with a guitar and this is the feel I'm getting at.)

Track Five: Uma Thurman

Holy shit let's dance. That's basically all there is to say here. I wasn't sure if I was going to like this song. I admit I don't think I've seen anything with Uma Thurman in it, but I imagine this song captures her well? If that makes any sense. It's a hot song and I look forward to seeing it performed live.

Track Six: Jet Pack Blues

Like "The Kids Aren't Alright," another slowed down, emotional song. It's a little surprising to me, if I'm being honest. It's such a "story like" song and I don't know if Fall Out Boy has done that before - or if they have, it's been years. I can't quite put my finger on it, but it stands out as having a different feel, but do I love it.

Track Seven: Novocaine 

This track was apparently cut from "Save Rock and Roll," and you can tell. It sounds like it wouldn't be out of place on that album at all - especially with the note Patrick holds on "vultures" sounding like the note he holds on "youngblood" in "The Phoenix."

Can I also get an amen for the ending note? Patrick Stump just continues to impress me with what he can do with his voice on this album. It's just fantastic. The sound and the music is one thing to grow upon, but I just feel like his voice is a fine wine.

Track Eight: Fourth of July

Okay, this might be my favorite song on the album. I know I love the first track, and I know I'm just going to keep switching what my "favorite" is, but that's a given. The sound and the lyrics of this one just make me want to punch the air in a dorky way. It's that good.

Stand out lyric: "I'm sorry every song's about you/The torture of small talk with someone you used to love."

Track Nine: Favorite Record

I can't believe this song was almost cut, to be honest. I love that Fall Out Boy decided to keep it on specifically for the fans. Although yes, I can understand why this was almost cut. It sounds so different to me, sort of like "Jet Pack Blues." Now I'm going to go on a weird tangent here and throw this out there: this sounds like it could be sung by Taylor Swift.

Hear me out. It has almost a "1989" feel to it to me. Throw Taylor Swift on this song and it would be a bit more pop-y, yes, but listen to the lyrics with her voice and background in mind and I swear with an open mind it will make sense.

The stand out lyric that makes me think this: "And when you asked, you asked me how I’m doing/Like you know, you know how much better off I am."

To me that screams Taylor's attitude in her own lyrics of "1989." I know, totally weird turn to this review, but hey, I love the song. I like how different it feels.

Track Ten: Immortals

I was so proud that the band had a song for a huge movie like "Big Hero 6." To top it off, it was so catchy and awesome. I'm sure it definitely brought a lot of fans to them. Also - do yourself a favor and listen to the previous track and wait for the transition between the two songs. We all know how amazing track transitions were for "Folie à Deux" and this is an example of that.

Track Eleven: Twin Skeleton's (Hotel In NYC)   

Finally, the end. I do love this song, but if I had to pick, it's my least favorite. That's not saying much, since I love the entire album so much. I'm sure it will move up in the ranks with time. I probably said every track on "Save Rock and Roll" was my "favorite" at least once. I do think the first and last tracks bookend the album well. I just wish there was more! Although I understand the choice to not overload the album.

I will leave you with a video from the last time I saw Fall Out Boy and hope to see them again, with this album live, at least once. (They'll be here in March, though Arizona isn't on their big summer tour). If you've never heard of Fall Out Boy, or beyond the radio tracks, definitely check them out!

Until next time,
Rose

Recipe: Beef Tortellini Soup

I thought it would be fun to have a short post every so often having to do with a recipe. I originally found this recipe in a book I was putting away at work, but ended up modifying it a bit.

It includes:

• ground beef
• cheese tortellini (refrigerated at the store, not a dried bag)
• condensed french onion soup
• a cup of water
• canned diced tomatoes 

The first thing you're going to do in a large pot is cook your ground beef until it's not pink. Then you're going to add the can of french onion soup, water, diced tomatoes and tortellini. I sort of just eye balled the water myself. Then, because I didn't feel like it was liquidy enough, added about half a can of chicken broth. My mom uses this for a lot of different things, just because it does add a lot of flavor. 

I also added some spices: italian seasoning and red pepper. 

Bring this to a boil and then cook for roughly ten minutes, or until the pasta is fully cooked. 

I really liked the final product - it's also great for leftovers!

You can definitely modify the recipe even further, depending on taste. Here are some examples:

• use ground turkey instead of beef to make it more lean (or skip on the meat entirely if you want to go vegetarian)
• instead of chicken broth, vegetable broth would probably taste amazing as well
• add vegetables - zucchini, green beans, etc - to add a "health factor" to it.  
• heck, even go for a different pasta entirely!

There are a lot of possibilities! I hope you enjoyed the post and if you try the recipe, I hope you enjoy that as well! Let me know if you tried anything different!

Until next time, 

Rose

Barnes & Noble Haul

The last two weeks at work were "Employee Appreciation" - meaning our discount on pretty much everything went up by another 10% - which led to me buying a few things I've had my eye on. As a book lover who works at a bookstore, my list was very long and I didn't end up getting nearly everything that I have on an ever growing list, but I am happy with what I did get! I thought I would turn it into a haul blog post for you. So let's get started.

First up: I got the Taylor Swift "1989" album on vinyl - spoiler but I'm getting a record player for Christmas and when I saw we had gotten this in at work I knew that I needed it for my first vinyl record!

Next up, an item I've been wanting since we got it in - a Frozen coffee mug! I just love the art style of Elsa and Anna here and couldn't resist - even though we already have a healthy collection of mugs. 

Next, the actual books I bought. "Girl Online" by Zoella, "East" by Edith Pattou (a book I read when I was much younger and absolutely loved and wanted to re-read), and finally a sequel to one of my favorite books, "Under the Light" by Laura Whitcomb. 

Other purchases: the new Walk the Moon CD, "Talking is Hard" - which you need to go out and buy right this minute (as well as their first album), and some Pomegranate Oolong tea. Finally, a new notebook (which I need like I need a bullet in my head, I have so many) by Riffle Paper Co. You'll probably recall I love their designs from my previous haul post. 

I went a little crazy, but considering I was saving 40% off of everything, I had to allow myself - as a Christmas treat.

Until next time,

Rose

The Christmas Tag

This is a very long tag because I decided to pick and choose from a lot of different Christmas tags that I found online. I hope you enjoy and I encourage anyone to fill the tag - in a blog post or video - and be sure to send it to me if you do!

1. Do you like to stay in your PJ’s, or dress up for Christmas? 

We've never been the family to really "dress up" for Christmas. When I was younger I definitely stayed in my PJ's, but now I'll usually throw on jeans or comfortable sweatpants. Lately I've been living in my "Walk the Moon" sweatshirt, especially since my mom keeps the house colder. 

2. Do you open your presents Christmas Eve or Christmas morning?

My mom and I have a tradition that we open one present on Christmas Eve and then the rest the next morning. When I was younger and it was me and my cousin we would open presents first thing - but now that I'm older we'll usually wait until the evening or late afternoon to open presents. 

3. What’s your favorite Christmas meal or treat? 

Some of the usual staples that my family has for both Thanksgiving and Christmas - twice baked potatoes are a huge favorite. Then of course cups of hot chocolate! This year I'm going to make a bunch of cupcakes for Mia, Marissa and I (also a batch of Hanukkah ones for them!) and my co-workers at Barnes & Noble. 

4. What’s your favorite holiday movie (or specials)?

The Santa Clause, The Holiday, The Last Holiday, A Christmas Movie, Home Alone, Christmas Every Day - then of course all the Christmas Specials of my favorite shows. I love watching the Glee Christmas episodes, the Danny Phantom Christmas episode is hilarious, as well as other random shows with nice specials. Of COURSE the Doctor Who Christmas Specials - both the new one on Christmas day and past ones. 

5. Have you ever made a snowman?

I have! When I was a kid in North Carolina. We didn't make a snowman, because it was actually February at the time - but we had a lot of snow fall in Prescott as well.

6. Show us an embarrassing Christmas Card photo!

I guess this counts! This was probably my family's Christmas card photo in like, 1992? Maybe 1993. 

7. What holiday tradition are you looking forward to most this year?

Not too many, honestly. Christmas has been pretty different the last few years and grown a bit smaller with just my mom and Grandma in the same state to celebrate it. The Christmas "traditions" I'll probably still have are watching my favorite movies with my family. 

8. Is your Christmas tree real or fake?  

Fake!

9. Be honest: do you like giving gifts or receiving gifts better?

I honestly love both. I love picking out the perfect gift for someone. That moment in the store when you see something and immediately think of a friend or a relative and know it would be perfect. Then wrapping it or putting it in a cute gift bag is amazing. Of course, there is nothing like getting a gift someone obviously picked out with care! 

10. What would be your dream place to visit for the holiday season?

I'd love to be in New York City for the holiday - I went a few days after the New Year a few years ago, but I'd love to be there in the thick of Christmas. Another place to go would be England, or a very snowy place. 

11. Does your family have a special holiday recipe you like to help make?

We have these things called "Gloopers" - I don't know if many other people make it or not. You make it by getting lunch meat ham, spreading cream cheese over it and then putting a green onion in the middle and rolling it up. You put them in the freezer for about an hour, pull them out and cut into little bite size pieces - sort of like sushi rolls. They're so good and my grandma has been making them since before I could remember.

12. Most memorable Holiday moment?

The morning I woke up - I was probably only in first grade, maybe even kindergarten - and got a set of Sailor Moon dolls. I just remember the dogs running around and being so happy about those dolls. I played with them so much. 

13. What made you realize the truth about Santa?

I was either in 2nd or 3rd grade. I went to my grandma's closet to grab something for her and I saw a bag full of things. I distinctly saw a Furby and thought, "oh, it's my present!" On Christmas day....it was Santa who gave me the Furby. So I sort of put 2 and 2 together.

Figures it was the evil Furby who destroyed my childhood.

14. Favorite Christmas songs?

Here's a few - surprise surprise, most of them are Glee. 

15. Do you make New Years resolutions? Do you stick to them?

I don't really make them anymore - because I didn't stick to them! 

16. What makes the Holidays special for you?

Being around friends. Spending time with my family (even though they drive me crazy sometimes). The religious connotations of the holiday and the celebration of that day. And of course, the gifts are special - they don't have to be materialistic, but the thought and care that went into the gift itself.

I hope everyone has a happy holiday - whichever one you may be celebrating! 

For this I tag: 

Mia

Izzy

Lauren

and Rachel Whitehurst why not 

Until next time, 

Rose

Black Friday Haul

If you can really call it a "haul" - I only went to two places on Black Friday weekend, since I was busy working at both of my jobs to do much serious shopping. I didn't really have the money to be doing that anyway, but I was happy with the deals and sales I was able to get anyway.

On Friday, during my lunch break at Barnes & Noble, I hurried over to Bath and Body Works in the mall to hit their "Buy 3 get 3 Free" off EVERYTHING in the store.

The first thing I grabbed was one of my favorite candles - "Black Tie." 

This year it has a different, beautiful packaging that makes me so happy. It's sort of a silver and black, almost "frosty window" look to it. The scent, if you haven't smelled it, can only be described as "boy" - or rather, a sort of light cologne smell that burns wonderfully.

Next up is probably my favorite item in Bath and Body Works - and what I use every single day - the shower gels! I usually have a huge stock pile of these babies, but they had dwindled a few months ago and I usually stock up during their semi-annual sales when they are only $5 (or less!). This sale was definitely good for stocking up and will hold me over until their semi-annual around the first of the year. 

I got four shower gels. Two that are more festive: A Thousand Wishes and Sugar Plum Dream, then two that are signatures: Cashmere Glow (my absolute favorite) and French Lavender Honey. 

Finally to wrap up my purchases, I got a hand soap. Mia, Marissa and I love having soaps from Bath and Body Works both in our shared bathroom and the kitchen. This one is now in our kitchen because it would be a little....distracting if it was in the bathroom. Because this just isn't a regular hand soap - it lights up and makes noise. It's so cute and so festive and I really like the smell of Winter Candy Apple.

The only other place I went on Saturday was into Ulta after work. They had buy 1 get 1 free on OGX products - which I found I really love. I wanted to get a shampoo and conditioner of Coconut Milk, but unfortunately they only had the latter in stock. Instead I restocked my Kukui Oil curl cream (which I previously did a review on here).

I decided to grab a NYX lipstick, though they didn't have any of the matte colors that I wanted, so I decided to try out one of their regular lipsticks in "Electra," which is really pretty (ignore my chipped nail polish). 

And that just about wraps up this haul post. I hope everyone found the deals they wanted on Black Friday, stayed home on Thanksgiving to spend time with your family instead of going out shopping, and were kind to all the employees you encountered!

Until next time,

Rose