I've never been so excited and nervous for an album like Infinity On High, the fourth full length and second major label album from pop-punk vets, Fall Out Boy. Half of me was very pumped to just hear it because it's Fall Out Boy and they are one of my favorite bands. The other half was nervous for the thought of them completely bombing this album, getting big heads, and reaching for more than what they could accomplish musically. Thankfully, that nervousness is gone, because this is one of the finest pop-punk albums we'll hear this year.
"Thriller" starts off the album great with a bruising metal breakdown and Andy Hurley pounding on the skins, giving "Mick" a run for its money as the best FOB opener ever. Jay-Z speaking over the intro and the end is just the cherry on top. "The Take Over, The Break's Over," is another great punk tune, with a nicely placed piano part towards the end. "This Ain't A Scene, It's An Arm Race" is a great single; while the verses are somewhat lacking, the chorus' are very Take This To Your Grave-ish. "I'm Like A Lawyer With The Way I'm Always Trying To Get You Off (Me & You)" is a decent track, with the verses reminding me a bit of Maroon 5. "Golden" is where FOB completely misses the mark. I will commend for trying to do something different, but piano ballads are not Fall Out Boy at all, and "Golden" would have been better off left on the shelf. Thankfully, the track before, "Hum Hallelujah," is there, as it is very powerful and the choir is a nice touch. "Thnks Fr Th Mmrs" reminds me a lot of a My Chemical Romance track as it's a dark track but it's a little too produced for me. "Don't You Know Who I Think I Am" is incredibly infectious, complete with handclaps and superb drumming from Hurley once again. Patrick Stump shines on each song, as his vocals have never sounded better. It's plain to see that Stump and Hurley are MVP's on this album.
"The (After) Life Of The Party" is another track that is high on production, while "The Carpal Tunnel Of Love" is one of the harder tracks which would be better off with only half of Pete Wentz's screaming. Thankfully, screaming does not appear much on the album. "Bang The Doldrums" is a rousing sing-along, and "Fame < Infamy" is reminiscent of TTTYG, showing a lot of bite that was seriously lacking from From Under The Cork Tree. The one-two punch of "You're Crashing, But You're No Wave" and "I've Got All This Ringing In My Ears And None On My Fingers" ends Infinity on a high note. "Crashing" is a fast track that knocks you down on your ass and the "ohhh's" are very chilling. The piano intro on "Ringing" is nice, as is the production. The song proves that the band can think big and achieve it.
Infinity On High is not without its faults, as this album features the weakest lyrical effort of the four albums. Wentz is good at writing a lot of one-liners, but the story-telling that was evident in Take This To Your Grave and even From Under The Cork Tree is seriously lacking. Fortunately, this album displays the best Fall Out Boy has to offer musically, trying new things and combining them with the old to develop a fresh yet familiar sound on the album.
Before hearing Infinity On High, I was expecting a catchy, fun, and fast album from the Chicago quartet and got exactly that. If you are expecting anything more than that, then you'll dislike the record, but it is foolish to expect anything different from Fall Out Boy. The album ends with an audience applauding and a computerized voice telling me to "now press repeat." Good luck trying to refuse that command.
You reviewed it after having it less than 24 hours? Hahahahaha. Nice.
I don't like that at all, especially when we could have posted a review the day it releases and both of yours would have had a ton of reads each. It's not like one's positive and one's negative so they'd balance each other.
You reviewed it after having it less than 24 hours? Hahahahaha. Nice.
I got it Saturday morning and listened to the entire album as a whole 7 times in a 12 hour period. I was thinking of writing my own review Saturday night but I saw you posted yours and now that Drew has posted his I will probably pass.
Anyway, the point was that I can totally see Drew getting it, popping it in immediately and listening 7 or 8 times and being like "Man, I can and should write this review right now." I just kept wanting to listen to it when it was over. Must have been the robot voice at the end.
Pretty good review, one of the few I've actually read all the way through. It's a pity that their lyrics have taken a hit, since that's what a lot of their fans have an affinity toward.
(From what I said above, Drew, I'm not trying to say it's a bad review or anything. I just think it'd help you and the site more by waiting. The review itself I like and mostly agree with.)
Am I the only one that gets a PaTD vibe from 'Thnks fr th mmrs'?
I mean, the chorus has a quote from closer, for chrissakes.
"He tastes like you only sweeter"
I now hear the MCRishness too.
Still loving that song though.
Am I the only one that gets a PaTD vibe from 'Thnks fr th mmrs'?
I mean, the chorus has a quote from closer, for chrissakes.
"He tastes like you only sweeter"
I now hear the MCRishness too.
Still loving that song though.
i hear the MCRishness on it too, and also it reminds me of the song they did for Nightmare before Christmas.
You reviewed it after having it less than 24 hours? Hahahahaha. Nice.
Does listening to it 12 times count? haha
Originally Posted by Tony Pascarella
I don't like that at all, especially when we could have posted a review the day it releases and both of yours would have had a ton of reads each. It's not like one's positive and one's negative so they'd balance each other.
I can write whatever I want, this review took me all of 20 minutes, I had a lot of thoughts on the album that I wanted to write out and decided to post a review, it's not the first time AP.net has done it and it probably won't be the last. Give me a break.
Originally Posted by Steve Henderson
That's a good way to ensure objectivity...
If you are thinking I reviewed this after only a few listens, you're a fool.
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