Soul (Of A) Punk : Here's Your Birthday Wish

Okay now, I know I'm super late to say this but, happiest birthday to the album that was so perfectly crafted, Soul Punk. Soul Punk is the first full-length album by Patrick Stump (mainly and famously known as Fall Out Boy's front man and rhythm guitarist) that was released on 18th Oct 2011. The record was released during Fall Out Boy's hiatus, which means it is Patrick's first solo record. A really friendly reminder that the dude produced, played, recorded, wrote, and performed all the sounds in that album all by himself. According to Wikipedia, the record's genres are soul, R&B, synth-pop, and funk (which are entirely true).

Soul Punk Cover

What makes it so special? Well there's a lot to talk about.

First, I think, the record was different. In a good way. It really reflected the other musical style of Patrick that most people (at that time) didn't know about. And he clearly made it so amazing and well-crafted. I remember the first time I was listening to Explode (the album's opening song), I just sat on my dining table while having breakfast, utterly froze. I was thinking "holly hell this is so different. Where's the Folie (referring to Fall Out Boy's 4th studio album, Folie A Deux) vibes? Where's the screamo part like in Novocaine (song from American Beauty/American Psycho album) ? Where's the head-banging guitar riffs like in 16 Candles (another song from From Under The Cork Tree album) ?"
I admit it, I kind of dislike Explode at that time. So I just listened to the rest of the album flatly. But the next day, the background music (probably the drum part) plus the lyrics "clap if you got a ticket to the end of the world" really REALLY stuck in my head. And I was thinking "holly hell, I really need to listen to Explode again, like right now." So I did and BOOM- I became so obsessed with it for the past 2 weeks.

Secondly, Patrick really gave the fans (old and new) what he capable of. I mean, we all know that he loves drum so much, so he did a handful of sick ass drum part in that record. Plus the synth and the guitar that was oddly sound so beautiful and amazing. And don't get me start with the vocal. That's just... that's just the art that he owns, really.

Thirdly, the performances. This is the ultimate climax of them all. We all know that during pre-hiatus era, Patrick wasn't a very confident person. But somehow on Soul Punk era (I swear, I didn't know if he's actually got hit with a car or something) he changed, drastically. He wore this crazy coloured tux and danced and strutted so much on stage. It's not a bad thing, especially for Patrick. Because it showed how much he enjoyed his time. How confident he was for his record.
The crowd was small, sure, but that doesn't mean that wasn't the greatest time of their life. He did this sick ass drum solo (oftenly covering This Is How We Do It by Montel Jordan), playing trumpet for his original song Everybody Wants Somebody, playing the guitar riff for Allie, playing piano and tons of more. I mean is it really possible to sing that good while drumming?

Light blue really really looks good on him

Wait no, red really suits him more (plus the eyeliner)

Drumming boi

And lastly, the record has impacted so many souls (including mine, of course) in such a various and meaningful way. He did confess on his twitter on one of his Q&A session back in 2013 (after Fall Out Boy's comeback) that the record was '90% of stress'. I think this is so hurtful because he did get mock by his 'fans' (seriously, you consider yourself a fan when all you did was attacked him with your poisonous critics?) about his appearance, his music, and Fall Out Boy's hateful album Folie A Deux. He even posted about all of it in his blog titled "We Liked You Better Fat : A Confessions Of Pariah"
I am still mad, and will always be mad about it. Nobody deserve that kind of hate, including Patrick. Nobody deserve that kind of pressure so that they need to spit it all out on blog post, including Patrick. Nobody deserve a stress feeling towards something they love so much, including Patrick.

His tweet + Dallon's sweet and sassy reply

But at the end on this post I began to think, Patrick had went through all of that shits and still be that inspiring musician I'm so used to know. He still be that funny dorky small dude who loves throwing positivity at people who needed it. He's still that dude who's so passionate about what he loves. And I thanked him for that. It gives me support every time I'm feeling troubled or conflicted.

So, I'm going to say this once again, happiest 6th birthday to Soul Punk, a truly genuine masterpiece.