Tastes Like Rock Magazine

Fall Out Boy feat. Missy Elliot - Ghostbusters (I'm Not Afraid) [Single] Review

Pop/Rock/Pop Punk

RCA

Posted 6/24/16 - 10:45 PM ET

Already receiving as much online hatred as the trailers for the reboot film, "Ghostbusters (I'm Not Afraid)" is one of the first singles from the soundtrack to the new Ghostbusters, set for release in theaters in a few weeks. Much of the hate is the same vitriol as is being spewed at the movie, that it is the "destruction of my childhood" and a "slap in the face to Ray Parker Jr." etc. Before I really get into my thoughts on the song, Fall Out Boy and Missy Elliot's performances and so forth, I'm going to say one thing... this isn't the new version of the Ghostbusters theme. It's a new song, mostly a mash up to be frank, but it is a new song and from the looks of the track listing for the Ghostbusters (2016) soundtrack, will NOT be the theme song. If we take a moment and have a breather from all the hate being thrown at every aspect of the film reboot, go scope out Amazon for a second, it would seem the actual cover of the Ray Parker Jr. song will be performed by Walk The Moon and there will be an acapella version by Pentatonix (and even Ray Parker Jr.'s original version will be on the soundtrack), so let's calm down and think about this song objectively for a moment. And no, Sony and RCA didn't pay me off, this review is in actuality, completely unsolicited. I just love the franchise and am keeping an open mind about the reboot, sure this reviewer would be way more excited if it was an real sequel set in the same world as Ghostbusters (1984) and Ghostbusters 2 (1989); but I'm still going to keep an open mind.

Overall the song is not a train wreck, I grant you it's not spectacular either, it really is just a mash up of riffs from different versions of Ghostbusters themes (the original, one of the synthier versions from The Real Ghostbusters cartoon, and even a few notes from the Extreme Ghostbusters cartoon from the late 90's that was a direct sequel to The Real Ghostbusters... told you I loved this franchise) and some Fall Out Boy lyrics with mostly the chorus from Ray Parker Jr.'s original; but it works for what it is. Missy Elliot's addition honestly feels forced, I like Missy Elliot, always have even though I'm not much of a Hip Hop and Rap guy, but it feels like she is only there to give credibility to this being new Ghostbusters music attached to a reboot that has been maligned mercilessly since it was announced, by both sexist dickheads and nerds that feel nothing should ever be updated or have additions made to their precious mythos, even when it's set in an alternate universe that has no bearing on the original. Again, bear in mind, I am a nerd (a really big one) but not everything needs to be sacrosanct in our fandoms.

The song is passable for some radio play and is decently enjoyable if you accept it for what it is... a summer movie soundtrack song. It's never going to be anything else and has no need to be anything other than what it is. It's no different than the new Ghostbusters t-shirts that will be lining the graphic t-shirt displays in Wal-Mart and Target soon. "Ghostbusters (I'm Not Afraid)" isn't a tour de force song, but it's enjoyable enough as a mash up; even though that trend has settled a bit the last year or so. Musicianship is Fall Out Boy's typical level of proficiency, both instruments and vocals, and Missy Elliot sounds as good as ever.

"Ghostbusters (I'm Not Afraid)" by Fall Out Boy featuring Missy Elliot gets a 2.5 out of 5, unoriginal, but not horrible. Not great either, but worth a listen if you're a Fall Out Boy and/or Missy Elliot fan... or are trying to keep an open mind about the Ghostbusters reboot.

Fall Out Boy is Patrick Stump (lead vocals and rhythm guitar), Joe Trohman (lead guitar, backing vocals), Pete Wentz (bass, unclean and backing vocals), and Andy Hurley (drums, percussion). For more on Fall Out Boy visit www.falloutboy.com. For more on Missy Elliot visit www.missy-elliot.com.

- Michael Meade