Mania
by Fall Out Boy
  • Record Label: Island
  • Release Date: Jan 19, 2018
User Score
6.0

Mixed or average reviews- based on 185 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 100 out of 185
  2. Mixed: 36 out of 185
  3. Negative: 49 out of 185
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  1. walden54
    Jan 28, 2018
    6
    why fob?!

    The energy they're known for is still there, and you can't but applaud the reinvention after each record, but honestly this album is a total mess jumping everywhere, they're trying to achieve too much at once the songs are overproduced and overstuffed which takes of the rock and roll and the emotional rawness especially after layering Patrick's voice and coating it with    why fob?!

    The energy they're known for is still there, and you can't but applaud the reinvention after each record, but honestly this album is a total mess jumping everywhere, they're trying to achieve too much at once the songs are overproduced and overstuffed which takes of the rock and roll and the emotional rawness especially after layering Patrick's voice and coating it with unnecessary filters that make the songs cold and hard to connect with, still i loved Wilson great song but I was expecting more....    … Expand
  2. HPFANBOY1237
    Jan 20, 2018
    5
    Is this really the same Fall Out Boy that gave us fantastic albums such as, "Take This to Your Grave", "From Under the Cork Tree", "Infinity On High", and "Folie à Deux"? Is this even the same Fall Out Boy that gave us good albums such as the ironically titled "Save Rock and Roll" and "American Beauty/American Psycho"? M A N I A is truly a manic album, nothing about it is cohesive. ButIs this really the same Fall Out Boy that gave us fantastic albums such as, "Take This to Your Grave", "From Under the Cork Tree", "Infinity On High", and "Folie à Deux"? Is this even the same Fall Out Boy that gave us good albums such as the ironically titled "Save Rock and Roll" and "American Beauty/American Psycho"? M A N I A is truly a manic album, nothing about it is cohesive. But just about everything about it is repetitive. How many times do I have to hear the same words over and over again?! These are not the lyrics you would expect from Pete Wentz. However, I do enjoy some of the album including songs such as, Stay Frosty Royal Milk Tea, HOLD ME TIGHT OR DON'T, The Last of the Real Ones, Wilson (Expensive Mistakes), and Bishops Knife Trick. Unfortunately, the OK songs and the awful songs weigh down the album. The OK songs consist of, Champion, Church, and Heaven's Gate. The awful songs include Young and Menace, and Sunshine Riptide. So, yeah Fall Out Boy finally put out awful songs, that pretty much tells you everything you need to know about how I feel about this album. You can do better Fall Out Boy and you have. Two lines from Champion also sum up my opinion on this album: "I'm calling you from the future. To let you know we've made a mistake." Yeah, it was making this album. 2.5/5… Expand
  3. MinakoHouraisan
    Jan 20, 2018
    4
    Not the worst album ever, but extremely mediocre. Fall Out Boy is a very talented group but here you don't see as much as that. There are some great songs like Last of the Real Ones, Stay Frosty and a few others, but for the most part, Mania is rather messy and a weak release coming from a talented group.
  4. Thatislife
    Jan 20, 2018
    4
    This album isn't as great as people tell, or at least in my opinion. Only two songs have impressed me and the rest of the songs have not at all. To me it only seems fair that if I only like 2/10 songs from this album, that I would give it 4/10 as a review score. "Champion" and "Wilson (Expensive Mistake)" are songs I do like from the album. I tried my best to like the others as well, but IThis album isn't as great as people tell, or at least in my opinion. Only two songs have impressed me and the rest of the songs have not at all. To me it only seems fair that if I only like 2/10 songs from this album, that I would give it 4/10 as a review score. "Champion" and "Wilson (Expensive Mistake)" are songs I do like from the album. I tried my best to like the others as well, but I just can't. The album is a bit experimental I think. So they did try something new which I adore. It just didn't turn out the way I thought it would.… Expand
  5. clinton79
    Feb 9, 2018
    6
    I think it was an enjoyable album, but coming after 2 really great ones, it's just feels bad.

    There's just no heart into anything. The production is great, everything sounds tight, just no substance and forgettable songs. If someone said this was an album of rejected songs from their last one, I'd believe it. It's still strong though, Young and Menace is unique and feels fun,    I think it was an enjoyable album, but coming after 2 really great ones, it's just feels bad.

    There's just no heart into anything. The production is great, everything sounds tight, just no substance and forgettable songs. If someone said this was an album of rejected songs from their last one, I'd believe it.

    It's still strong though, Young and Menace is unique and feels fun, Champion and Wilson are pretty solid, and Sunshine Riptide is very different in a good way. If you're a fan of the band you won't be disappointed, if you've never heard them before, I strongly suggest you start with any other album.    … Expand
  6. Jarody
    Apr 3, 2018
    6
    I think what ruins this album for me is the lack of different instrumentation on this record. All I hear when I listen to this is loud percussion beats and pitch shifted noises. While admittedly there are couple good songs on this album it's clear Fall Out Boy have took a turn for the worst.
    Favourite Tracks: Wilson (Expensive Mistakes), Church, Young and Menace
    Least Favourites: Heavens    I think what ruins this album for me is the lack of different instrumentation on this record. All I hear when I listen to this is loud percussion beats and pitch shifted noises. While admittedly there are couple good songs on this album it's clear Fall Out Boy have took a turn for the worst.
    Favourite Tracks: Wilson (Expensive Mistakes), Church, Young and Menace
    Least Favourites: Heavens Gate, Champion, Bishop's Knife Trick, Sunshine Riptide    … Expand
  7. Q-Man95
    Feb 17, 2018
    6
    This album surprised me. I fully expected to not enjoy this album based on the lead singles "Young and Menace", "Champion", and "Hold Me Tight or Don't". Luckily, most of the rest of the album made up for these songs. There are some odd choices of lyrics that bring certain songs down, like the line "Are you smelling that **** repeated numerous times throughout the opening track "StayThis album surprised me. I fully expected to not enjoy this album based on the lead singles "Young and Menace", "Champion", and "Hold Me Tight or Don't". Luckily, most of the rest of the album made up for these songs. There are some odd choices of lyrics that bring certain songs down, like the line "Are you smelling that **** repeated numerous times throughout the opening track "Stay Frosty Royal Milk Tea". The songs in the middle of this album is where the band really shines. "Wilson (Expensive MIstakes)" and "Heaven's Gate" are the closest to "old" Fall Out Boy that we get on this album, the later showing off Patrick's soulful vocals in a refreshing Folie A Deux style. Unfortunately the album ends with a whimper starting with "Sunshine Riptide" featuring Burna Boy in one of the worst featured verses that I have ever heard, followed by the complete trainwreck that is "Young And Menace", and ending with "Bishops Knife Trick" which suffers from being a very forgettable song. Overall, the album is an enjoyable listen, definitely hits some low points throughout, but also hits some high points for the band yet again.… Expand
  8. MysticManiac
    Oct 12, 2018
    5
    I really can't give this release any higher than a strong 5. It's pretty bad in some places. Its worst offenders are Young & Menace and Sunshine Riptide. There are some good tracks though like Last of the Real Ones, Church and Heaven's Gate
  9. NolanLundgaard
    Jan 26, 2021
    5
    MANIA by Fall Out Boy: 4.90

    Stay Frosty Royal Milk Tea: 0.5 The Last Of The Real Ones: 1 :) HOLD ME TIGHT OR DON’T: 0.5 Wilson (Expensive Mistakes): 1 Church: 1 :) Heaven’s Gate: 0.75 Champion: 0.75 Sunshine Riptide: 0.5 Young And Menace: 0 Bishops Knife Trick: 1 7/10 = .700 -> 4.90 MANIA is the most recent Fall Out Boy album, and it was rather disappointing. When I was    MANIA by Fall Out Boy: 4.90

    Stay Frosty Royal Milk Tea: 0.5
    The Last Of The Real Ones: 1 :)
    HOLD ME TIGHT OR DON’T: 0.5
    Wilson (Expensive Mistakes): 1
    Church: 1 :)
    Heaven’s Gate: 0.75
    Champion: 0.75
    Sunshine Riptide: 0.5
    Young And Menace: 0
    Bishops Knife Trick: 1

    7/10 = .700 -> 4.90

    MANIA is the most recent Fall Out Boy album, and it was rather disappointing. When I was listening to American Beauty/American Psycho, I thought the rock band did a good job creating a poppy album, but I also knew there was danger involved with exploring this area. The pop stuff is fun (and for the most part, works). At the same time however, Fall Out Boy started off as a really good rock band. I get that they’re trying out new styles, but in my opinion they should go back to what they’re really good at. It would be so much better to be an amazing rock band instead of a mediocre pop band. While Psycho strayed a little from the band’s roots, it was still a fairly well done album, but MANIA feels altogether foreign. As a whole this album seems to be a bit lackluster yet still overproduced. There were a couple songs I enjoyed, but for the most part the work appeared to alternate between forced and low-effort. I wish I could give my full song-to-song commentary, but that would push this review over the 5000 character limit. Overall, I am pretty upset about the way MANIA turned out. This is my first review for a Fall Out Boy album that isn’t a good one, and this is saddening. The group is certainly one of my favorite bands, though is it disappointing to expect something wonderful from their last release and get a MANIA. While this album was definitely a misfire, I will not let it ruin the other releases, as Folie is one of my all time favorite records (see what I did there?). I will also be on the lookout for more FoB releases coming up, as MANIA was released a couple years ago, so hopefully a new (but better) album is in the works. Unfortunately, I do not recommend this Fall Out Boy outing. Fans of the band will be happier treating American Beauty/American Psycho as FoB’s last release, though there were a couple songs (such as “Last”) that feel like they would be at home in the artist's 2015 release. Highlights: The Last Of The Real Ones, Wilson, Church, and Bishops Knife Trick.    … Expand
  10. JoeyCORNER2001
    Mar 23, 2020
    4
    Sorry Fall Out Boy but you lost me on this one. Better luck next time......
  11. supermumbo
    Aug 3, 2019
    6
    Compared to the previous new-wave Fall Out Boy albums, this one lacks the personality and fluidity of the majority of Fall Out Boy's previous works. The instruments themselves sound very imbalanced, percussion is overwhelming at times, overshadowing the guitar and bass. Vocals are the best part of this album, however, the use of auto tune is obvious and makes the tracks feel less naturalCompared to the previous new-wave Fall Out Boy albums, this one lacks the personality and fluidity of the majority of Fall Out Boy's previous works. The instruments themselves sound very imbalanced, percussion is overwhelming at times, overshadowing the guitar and bass. Vocals are the best part of this album, however, the use of auto tune is obvious and makes the tracks feel less natural compared to previous works by Fall Out Boy that do not use it as heavily as M A N I A. I found myself wishing to hear the classic style of Fall Out Boy's early albums as I listened to some of the songs in M A N I A, but there are a few tracks that shine brighter than the others in terms of vocals and note progression. Overall, this album has too much pop and not enough of the punk that Fall Out Boy used to offer, even in their previous recent albums. Some tracks are done well, but most of the tracks aren't as good as I would've expected.… Expand
  12. dvotz
    Aug 26, 2023
    5
    This album pales in comparison to some of their earlier work and it is easy to see why. The album ditches what Fall Out Boy is great at, which is passionate pop punk songs, and replaces it with more boring electric pop songs. Several of the songs are too slow and have nothing going on, while others just have unnecessary added elements that none of the fans really asked for. However, someThis album pales in comparison to some of their earlier work and it is easy to see why. The album ditches what Fall Out Boy is great at, which is passionate pop punk songs, and replaces it with more boring electric pop songs. Several of the songs are too slow and have nothing going on, while others just have unnecessary added elements that none of the fans really asked for. However, some of the songs do work well with the more modern and electric element, most notably Stay Frosty Royal Milk Tea which is my personal favorite from the album. Other songs on the album like The Last Of The Real Ones and Wilson have tastes of being a great fall out boy song but still don't seem to come close. In conclusion the album does have some good elements to it but is overall pretty disappointing compared to most of Fall Out Boy's work.… Expand

Awards & Rankings

28
#28 Most Discussed Album of 2018
40
#40 Most Shared Album of 2018

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
59

Mixed or average reviews - based on 12 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 12
  3. Negative: 1 out of 12
  1. Variety
    Mar 30, 2018
    60
    Any mania in MANIA is limited to the lyrics, while the band’s music is even-tempered and hardly given to extremes.
    Read full review
  2. AllMusic
    Feb 15, 2018
    50
    All this feverish digital desperation makes the already clamorous M A N I A feel positively cacophonic: it may only be 39 minutes but it's one long ride.
    Read full review
  3. Kerrang!
    Jan 24, 2018
    80
    They're strutting along a tightrope without a downward glance here. [27 Jan 2018, p.50]
See all critic reviews »