Reviews

Ok, I’m probably going to catch a beating for this and I’m kind of ashamed to admit it, but I do, in fact, like this album. I had never heard a Fall Out Boy record before Infinity On High. The only songs I think I knew were that “Sugar We’re Going Down” song (which I’ve always thought was so nauseatingly catchy) and “Dance Dance,” which I don’t even think I’ve heard all the way through. However, my lack of FOB knowledge never stopped me from talking shit about them from top to bottom. I won’t stop either, but now I have a point of reference.
 
This is no punk rock album, that’s for sure. There’s punk aspects to it, but there’s also aspects of punk in Kelly Clarkson’s music and no one ever called her a contributing member of our scene. Infinity On High is more of a well crafted pop rock album, not too far removed from something like Third Eye Blind or some shit. Once you consider it as that, it makes it a lot easier to stomach.
 
There’s some sappy type songs like “Golden” and the annoyingly titled “I’m Like A Lawyer With The Way I’m Always Trying To Get You Off.” They’re the worst ones on the album and aren’t long song titles Fall Out Boy’s shtick? If it is, it’s fucking stupid.
 
On the other hand, songs like “Don’t You Know Who I Think I Am” and “Thnks Fr Th Mmrs” stand alone as evidence of the band’s ability to shake an ass or two. Now we all know those asses belong to mostly teen girls, but that’s what makes popular music popular... and it’s a nice view from behind.
 
My favorite is the opening track, “Thriller.” Who would’ve thought you’d hear Jay-Z on a Fall Out Boy album? Sure as fuck not me, but there it is in all its Hova-ness. It’s not Jay that drives the song, but the crushing beat that surprised me more than anything when I heard it the first time. It’s pretty heavy. Not Deicide heavy, but still pretty metal.
 
As for the musicianship, blah blah... yeah, it’s not bad. Do you really care anyway? I will say this, frontman Patrick Stump has a pretty decent voice. Definitely one of the best in pop right now. Unfortunately, the songs start to sound the same as you make your way through the record, but like I alluded to earlier, I thought it was going to be a hell of a lot worse. So let the lynching begin. I’d rather hear this on the radio than Linkin Park or Disturbed.