FALL OUT BOY – INFINITY ON HIGH (2007)Everybody has a predetermined view on Fall Out Boy. Few bands seem to create such extremes in opinion, and it’s difficult to go into the assessment of the band’s latest album without a natural inclination to be positioned on one side or the other. The rallying call for those who remain indifferent is made by none other than the President of Def Jam, the boys’ boss, Jay-Z. His rant questions the critics and haters on the album opener “Thriller†with the lines “Yeah, what you critics said would never happen. We dedicate this album to anybody, people said couldn't make it.†It’s both a ridiculous and totally needless appearance, because firstly it doesn’t add anything to the song and secondly shows a fair amount of arrogance from both artist and corporate culprit. But then, lyricist Pete Wentz is not averse to a belief that he is indeed the new idol for the pain ridden teen, as he lauds his venerable parable to his scenester congregation on “Fame & Infamy†which opens with the line “I’m a Preacher sweating in the pew, for the Salvation I’m bringing youâ€. Jesus, the rest of us thought he was just the bass guitarist in a mediocre Pop/Punk band, not the second coming ? And as for all you FOB detractors; well Wentz has the spiritual means to realize your failings on “Golden†as he confesses “I saw God cry in the reflection of my enemies.†It’s all overwrought, self referential navel gazing, that luckily for Wentz gets shrouded in the saccharine hooks and anthemic guitar bursts.Working closely to the formula set by the multi platinum “From Under The Cork Treeâ€, “Infinity On High†repeats the charging rhythms, the flagrant chase for Pop melodies at all costs, the pseudo Metal riffs, and Patrick Stump’s gritty delivery. Over the space of 45 minutes, the band pummel the listener with a succession of beefed up commercial fluff, which bears an uncanny resemblance to Maroon 5 on speed. The aggression seems hollow and flaccid; the production feels all gloss and no Soul. The most obvious example of the vacuous extent of content is exemplified on “Hum Hallelujahâ€, where the band directly lift the chorus from Leonard Cohen’s 1985 original “Hallelujahâ€, they suck every ounce of spiritual vitality, and turn it into the aural equivalent of bubble wrap, all plastic filled with air. Everyone will be familiar with the smash single “This Ain’t A Scene, It’s An Arms Raceâ€, and it’s a fair representation of the rest of the album, drawing the same positive response from fans of the band, and their expectations will undoubtedly be fulfilled by the rest. One wonders how they’ll gather greater critical acceptance, but then, one guesses neither they nor Def Jam give a hoot.“Infinity On High†shows precious little to suggest that Fall Out Boy have anything beyond Rock music sleight of hand when it comes to delivering songs of depth, soul, and ultimately interest.5/10"This Ain't A Scene, It's An Arms Race"
Anna says
I fancy This Ain’t A Scene, It’s An Arms Race, but I'm having a hard time digesting the chorus, it's just too pop punk for me, I do not get along with this genre well.
darmuzz says
Just curious, is there any band in the pop-punk-emo genre you like? If not, why pick on Fall Out Boy? Because they're asking for it...oh yeah. Sorry, I like their pompous rock star ways. If you're going to do it, why not do it in a big way? Humble doesn't work for me. I just hope that someday they will stop stuffing in 25 words per line and per song title.
Jammy Jeff says
Anna,
I understand, and in view of what you said, the rest of the album is very similar, other than a ballad called "Golden" which oddly sounds quite interesting.
Jammy Jeff says
Darmuzz,
To be honest I'm not sure what emo is ? I really think it's a musical myth. As for Pop/Punk bands, I can think of hundreds that I love from the late 70's up to the present. I haven't picked on Fall Out Boy because they're asking for it..no way. I've given their album my honest assessment based on the fact that..
a) I've spent my hard earned cash on the album, and for that reason feel that I have every reason to judge its merits.
b) I've listened to the album everyday since Monday of last week, to try to extract something that really identifies the band from all the others that sound very similar in their genre.
I've got nothing against Rock stars being pompous, as long as they've got some quality material to back it up, and in my humble opinion there's little here to inspire anything but the review I've written.
armuller says
"saccharine hooks and anthemic guitar bursts" That's a good one. I do not care for them, but I admit they are catchy. However, the same is true for venereal disease, and that is not a good thing. 'Pop-punk-emo' ? Is that really a category?
Augusts1 says
Jeff, when I saw the title of your post I got kinda worried lol, but then I read your review which is a great. The reason to pick on them is that they released an album & it's just a retread of their own material & everyone else's. That being said I do actually like the arms race song & vid because they lampoon themselves which is always a sign that they don't take themselves too seriously. Not that I like these guys cause most of what I've heard is just too uninteresting.
Darmuzz, I think you're indy cred just dropped 100 points, lol!!!
darmuzz says
Jammy Jeff, It's to your credit that you gave this a thoughtful listen (actually several) and most people wouldn't bother.
Augusts1, I didn't know I had any indie cred to squander (I sure don't now) LOL
ciphermedia says
Hey Jammy, I just have to say that I really like your reviewing style, and have noticed how well thought out and articulated your views are in a few posts you've done. Me: I would've probably just said they were crap... but then I'm a lazy bastard when it comes to critiqueing stuff I don't like. Plus I'm a slow typist!
Jammy Jeff says
August - Yeah you're right about the reason. I saw the album in the stores, wondered what all the fuss was about, and parted with my $20. My opinion matters little in the whole scheme of things, but it doesn't stop me from voicing it.
Jammy Jeff says
Darmuzz,
Every new album I buy I listen to for 6 or 7 days in a row.The reason is simple, I have so many albums now, that I've got about 500 that I pull out regularly. The rest go into a collection that may not be listened to for years.
Jammy Jeff says
Jonathan - Writing a review gives me pleasure, and my biggest thrill is when someone takes a chance on something i've given a very positive review to. To think that I've influenced someone into purchasing something I would recommend makes writing more fun.
darmuzz says
Jeff, you have more perseverence than I do! Usually I listen to a new album about 3 times in a row, even if I don't like it. I try to give it a chance, but I don't knock myself out to make myself like it.
PS - Have I told you how much I love Maroon 5? (JK!)
i love FOB but i like their 1st album much better. okay so there is a few songs on Infinity on High that i love (Thx Fr Th Mmrs, This Ain't a Scene, It's an Arms Race , The Take over break over)
FALL OUT BOY – INFINITY ON HIGH (2007)Everybody has a predetermined view on Fall Out Boy. Few bands seem to create such extremes in opinion, and it’s difficult to go into the assessment of the band’s latest album without a natural inclination to be positioned on one side or the other. The rallying call for those who remain indifferent is made by none other than the President of Def Jam, the boys’ boss, Jay-Z. His rant questions the critics and haters on the album opener “Thriller†with the lines “Yeah, what you critics said would never happen. We dedicate this album to anybody, people said couldn't make it.†It’s both a ridiculous and totally needless appearance, because firstly it doesn’t add anything to the song and secondly shows a fair amount of arrogance from both artist and corporate culprit. But then, lyricist Pete Wentz is not averse to a belief that he is indeed the new idol for the pain ridden teen, as he lauds his venerable parable to his scenester congregation on “Fame & Infamy†which opens with the line “I’m a Preacher sweating in the pew, for the Salvation I’m bringing youâ€. Jesus, the rest of us thought he was just the bass guitarist in a mediocre Pop/Punk band, not the second coming ? And as for all you FOB detractors; well Wentz has the spiritual means to realize your failings on “Golden†as he confesses “I saw God cry in the reflection of my enemies.†It’s all overwrought, self referential navel gazing, that luckily for Wentz gets shrouded in the saccharine hooks and anthemic guitar bursts.Working closely to the formula set by the multi platinum “From Under The Cork Treeâ€, “Infinity On High†repeats the charging rhythms, the flagrant chase for Pop melodies at all costs, the pseudo Metal riffs, and Patrick Stump’s gritty delivery. Over the space of 45 minutes, the band pummel the listener with a succession of beefed up commercial fluff, which bears an uncanny resemblance to Maroon 5 on speed. The aggression seems hollow and flaccid; the production feels all gloss and no Soul. The most obvious example of the vacuous extent of content is exemplified on “Hum Hallelujahâ€, where the band directly lift the chorus from Leonard Cohen’s 1985 original “Hallelujahâ€, they suck every ounce of spiritual vitality, and turn it into the aural equivalent of bubble wrap, all plastic filled with air. Everyone will be familiar with the smash single “This Ain’t A Scene, It’s An Arms Raceâ€, and it’s a fair representation of the rest of the album, drawing the same positive response from fans of the band, and their expectations will undoubtedly be fulfilled by the rest. One wonders how they’ll gather greater critical acceptance, but then, one guesses neither they nor Def Jam give a hoot.“Infinity On High†shows precious little to suggest that Fall Out Boy have anything beyond Rock music sleight of hand when it comes to delivering songs of depth, soul, and ultimately interest.5/10"This Ain't A Scene, It's An Arms Race"
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Comments (17)
i love FOB but i like their 1st album much better. okay so there is a few songs on Infinity on High that i love (Thx Fr Th Mmrs, This Ain't a Scene, It's an Arms Race , The Take over break over)