MUSIC HISTORY CLASS: From Under the Cork Tree

History Lesson

On this day in 2005, emo pop-punk outfit, Fall Out Boy, released either their sophomore record or their third record (depending on your view of 2003’s Evening Out with Your Girlfriend), From Under the Cork Tree. The record was Fall Out Boy’s mainstream breakthrough, thanks to the massive hits “Sugar, We’re Going Down” and “Dance Dance.” The former peaked at number eight and the latter at number nine on the charts. From Under the Cork Tree would go on to sell three million copies worldwide and is certified double-platinum.

2003 was a huge year for Fall Out Boy. Following the release of their “debut,” Evening Out with Your Girlfriend, Fall Out Boy signed to Fueled By Ramen Records and the Illinois quartet released what many consider their “true” debut, Take This to Your GraveTTtYG would later become a cult classic in its own rightt, grabbing the attention of Island Records, ultimately leading to the major label signing FOB. Two years later, the world was introduced to From Under the Cork Tree.

Lead singer Patrick Stump’s unique R&B-meets-emo vocal delivery and classic pop-punk instrumentations coupled with the quirky, diary-fare lyrics of bassist Pete Wentz made critics cry foul but the masses swoon. In hindsight, one of From Under the Cork Tree’s many confusing aspects is the record’s sad critical reception. How could a classic have been so ill-received initially? Unexpected musical products tend to take a while to settle into their own. From Under the Cork Tree was certainly an unexpected music product…and one of the most influential records of the first decade of the 21st Century.

Written by Michael Meeze (follow him on Twitter).

Michael McCarron
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