Faux Blondes Have Less Fun..."Lake Effect Kid", "Catch Me If You Can", "Take My Hand", "Cookie Jar" and other hits from the FOB Mixtape

Getting a mixtape (ok, a zip file with MP3s) with a preview of the new Fall Out Boy CD, Folie A Deux felt like a privilege. More than a week later, it still feels awesome to have a glimpse into what Fall Out Boy and Decaydence Records have in store.

What I didn't expect was to find some hot songs from bands other than Fall Out Boy. With an upcoming album dropping (as we say in the biz) November 4, FOB didn't show their hand too much...most of their tracks on the mixtape were 2 minutes or less.

Here's my top five from the mixtape:

1. "Catch Me if You Can", Fall Out Boy featuring Travis of Gym Class Heroes

I've been listening to this one over and over again. I hope it becomes their first official single, although they have put "I Don't Care" out their MySpace already (which I don't really care for yet). "Catch Me if You Can" is a neatly layered song, with an introspective rap from my favorite narcissist, Travis (he sometimes calls himself "Travi" too) from Gym Class Heroes. Apparently this track (albeit a different version) is also on GCH's album The Quilt, which comes out tomorrow, September 9.

2. "Take My Hand", The Cab Featuring Cassadee from Hey Monday

This was one of the most pleasant surprises of the mixtape, and my second most favorite song. I'd seen The Cab in passing on MTV, but didn't take much notice. Adding Cassadee from Hey Monday to the mix made "Take My Hand" made for a great duet. The back and forth between Cassadee and Alex DeLeon from The Cab made for a great contrast, and kept the song going at a brisk pace. I hope to see this track released as a single, because it's just plain awesome.

3. "Cookie Jar", Gym Class Heroes, featuring The-Dream

This single just came out in late August, and it sounds like it's going to be another big hit for the Heroes. The-Dream, who co-wrote Rihanna's "Umbrella", adds a lot with his super-high notes "I like girls/They like me/They look so good/In their 7 jeans" (that'll be stuck in your head, for sure!) Travis' lyrics are always memorable.

4. "America's Sweethearts", Fall Out Boy

This track was the biggest tease of the mixtape. We only get 37 seconds before Pete Wentz comes on and says "you're definitely not getting all of that one." So just a little taste, but I think I'll enjoy the whole track when it's available.

5. "Lake Effect Kid", Fall Out Boy

"Faux blondes have less fun" is one of the more memorable lines from "Lake Effect Kid." It's this kind of sophisticated wit that might be a little over the heads for FOB's mainly teenage fan base, but intellectuals (like me on occasion) get a kick out of these sort of lines. I also like when they go down to just drums and lyrics for dramatic effect.

So, even with just snippets, the mixtape did its job and whet my appetite for November 4. Even better, I discovered some great new artists in the process.

Jan 09 update: I wanted to track down a link to the mixtape for one of my friends, so I found it here: Fall Out Boy Mixtape by Clinton Sparks