The music videos and their content has always been a major public concern. This is because some of those videos have been accused of communicating strong messages that can easily influence teenagers and adolescents. The music videos can impact gender stereotypes, body image, aggression and other areas in the developing youth. The essay makes an analysis of the Centuries music video ”Centuries“ from the band Fall Out Boy. The band comes from the suburbs of Chicago, which is known as the blandest place. The band was picked up by a record label, and they became famous. The main audience of Fall Out Boy attracts the audience of the ages 13-20. It falls in the category of rock, pop crowd (Fall Out Boy 2016). The band remains in constant motion when performing on stage. However, their stage sound and presence may sound unpleasant to many but is very energetic. The band is idolized by many teenagers for its music and its lyrics. It is referred to as the best musical group that is the hardcore, partying type. Their songs are varied and pop-driven. Many teenagers admire and respect them and their lyrics. Some of their most popular songs are “Thanks for the memories”, “Sugar we're going down” and “Dance Dance.” “Centuries" song is from their sixth studio album and is based on gladiator theme. The track of “Centuries” video seems to pay tribute to their hometown, Chicago showing scenes panning over the magnificent landmarks of the city (Review: Fall Out Boy's new single 2014).
It’s hard to make out the specific genre of their songs because of their usual sound. They start with an initial introductory beat and enter a yelling phase against an unbending alternative-pop beat. However, their more original style is punk sound (Review: Fall Out Boy's new single 2014). Their new video ”Centuries“ that looks like a gladiator mini-movie is a good example of this. The intense song gets louder and louder as the bandmates enter the arena and stick together as a team to survive. The epic music video shows a classic story of the little guy against a massive and murderous giant. The music video comes with tons of religious imagery that concludes in an immense fight to the death.
The band seems to be always in the middle of a continuing musical evolution, exploring every end of the spectrum, and thus their music is never confined to genre singularity. “Centuries" has received favorable reviews and showed another step in their experimentation and evolution of music. There are a definite pop element and a brew of electronic elements in its music. “Centuries”, the expected epic video shows the band in the gladiator pit and get beaten. The idea behind the song is that anyone can become a legend. “Centuries” was created with some iconic moments. The band is a big fan of Gladiator the movie (Smith 2014). It seems the primary drive behind the songs is to make sure that the world is listening with all that screaming and thumping on stage. Fall Out Boy tries to reinvent continually and evolve their musical identity. The band craves for something new every time and one finds a commanding intensity in their music (Review: Fall Out Boy's new single 2014). Many people complain how some of their songs do not make use of real instruments. There is too many electronic sounds and editing done. Still, many others enjoy their songs and get pulled in by the electronic intro that is based on Future tech. They try to make a lasting artistic impression.
The pop punk band is still making to the Top 40 chart and coming out with new albums that are as passionate as their earlier ones. Their song “Centuries” topped the charts all across the nation. Still, the style of the band hasn’t undergone much change. Their repetitive choruses are heavily laden with drums. Still, their albums are more cohesive lyrically as compared to their earlier works. (The Daily Gamecock 4). The video opens with a quiet vocal and the initial introductory beat progress to a yell carrying the headstrong lyrics, set against a solid alternative-pop beat. The original punk sound is missing from the music that was reflected in the band’s earlier albums. The purpose of creating “Centuries” seems to be an attempt to get remembered for centuries. The new single shows their struggle of musical aspirations within the music industry. The video reflects the evolving musical identity of the band and their power to reinvent themselves continually. The commanding and formidable intensity of the song shows their craving to create something new (Review: Fall Out Boy's new single 2014).
The music video for 'Centuries' demonstrates certain genre characteristics such as the dance routine and stage performance. The connection between music and visuals in the video shows a deeper intent to be remembered as heroes. The narrative rock music video shows the band members present and is prevalent throughout the video. As the band members are highly popular with the teenage girls, they remain the primary focus with their several close-ups featured in the video. The stereotypical gladiator armor costumes of the band members leave a lot of flesh uncovered so as to attract attention. The yellowish music video that has been created to give an impression of death and the desert, plus the fight for life. Different camera angles and techniques show the band members as minuscule prisoners fighting against the giant.
Today, there is a refreshing mix of “pop” genres. However, there are bands such as Fall Out Boy with newly undefined pop-punk, where the male members wear eye liner sometimes or make use of naked pictures of themselves on the web (Terri 133). Today, bands are making an aggressive use of technology to meet their fans in virtual space and interact with them. Fall Out Boy is an early adopter of this strategy. Their fans can take part in their concert tour and determine how the tour will go (Perritt 853)..Somehow, Fall Out Boy has managed to remain in the hearts of Americans, although the band’s sound hasn’t changed much.
Works Cited
"Fall Out Boy." urbandictionary. 2016. Web. 2 Feb. 2016.
Perritt, Henry H. "Music Markets and Mythologies." Marshall Rev. Intell. Prop. L. 1.1 (2010): 831-854. Print.
"Review: Fall Out Boy's new single 'Centuries' showcases their new sound." Vidette Features. 2014. Web. 2 Feb. 2016.
Smith, Benjamin. “Pete Wentz Explains Fall Out Boy’s “Centuries” And Why They’re Always Getting Beaten Up In Their Videos.”Freeman. 2014. Web. 2 Feb. 2016.
Terri, Melanie. "Behind the Face of Radio." Undergraduate Review,3.21 (2007): 133-135. Print.
"The Daily Gamecock." University of South Carolina 116.77 (2015): 1-7. Print.
