"Why don't we break the rules already?
I was never one to believe the hype
Save that for the black and white
I try twice as hard and I'm half as liked
But here they come again to jack my style
And that's alright...
What do I stand for?
What do I stand for?
Most nights, I don't know..."
-"Some Nights", fun.
It took time, due dilligence and requisite hard knocks but the NYC alt-rockers in fun. have finally earned their big break. Officially formed in 2008, the band released their debut album Aim and Ignite in 2009 and toured alongside Jack's Manniequn, Relient K and Paramore before officially signing with now notorious emo/alt label Fueled By Ramen Records (Paramore, Gym Class Heroes, Cobra Starship, Panic! At the Disco, and most infamously, the currently on pause Fall Out Boy). Their sophomore phase has arrived in a blur, thanks to Fueled By Ramen's wicked penchant for catchy alt pop, displayed in Some Nights, one of the best "rock"-esque pop offerings of the past few years. Lead single, "We Are Young," which features fellow underrated musician Janelle Monae, positively exploded overnight, appearing in several commercial advertisments and that coveted cover spot on Glee. This past week, it broke through to the #3 position on the Hot 100.
However, fun. is much more than a one-trick pony, and if "We Are Young" is starting to chafe your eardrums from overplay, fear not. Some Nights the album has lots of "hidden gems", but none stand out so poignantly than its title cut, which positively hits you over the head with its Queen-inspired, singalong bravado. It opens with an acapella harmony and vaugely gospel-esque feel before the beat drops out and lead singer Nate Ruess wails on the microphone.
The vocal comparisons to Freddie Mercury abound and are very well founded, in a good way. Clearly, Queen is a huge influence to the fun. boys, who have covered Queen in the past, including "Radio Gaga". In fact, the band is somewhat notorious for their "surprising" chose in live covers, ranging from Rolling Stones' "You Can't Always Get What You Want" to Elton John's "Rocket Man" to Dexys Midnight Runners's "Come On Eileen". For fans of pop music in general, these guys totally live up to their name. Cheesy but true.
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