A funny thing happened to Fall Out Boy on the road to Infinity on High: they got famous. Before 2005's From Under the Cork Tree they were just another pop-punk unit from suburban Chicago happy to break even at shows with gas money. Next thing anyone knew, they were headlining arenas and being heralded as the new face of pop-punk alongside their peers in My Chemical Romance. It was a position that never seemed to rest easy with the guys, and because of this, Infinity on High seems a bit conflicted. Fall Out Boy wants to charm everyone here. They want to prove themselves to critics by moving past the confines of emo, allowing a love of all things pop to come right to the forefront. Yet they also want to resonate directly with those day-one fans who may long for the intimate VFW shows of yesterday. This disparity makes points of the record seem awkward, and for the first time, the band appears to over-think things. Pete Wentz's lyrics are oftentimes resentful, full of fame-induced angst, and really emphasize his need to drive home his position that stardom has not changed the band. So it's in weird contrast to these sentiments that Jay-Z is the one opening the album and calling out haters who said FOB would fail. The glorification of their celebrity abruptly switches into Patrick Stump stating (pleading?) that the band is not buying into the hype -- nor do they even want it. "Make us poster boys for your scene/But we are not making an acceptance speech" is defiant, and when his sweet voice asserts, "Crowds are won and lost and won again/But our hearts beat for the diehards," it's clear that FOB still holds their roots close. But this is contradicted by the fact that the album's majority is far and away their poppiest material to date, more pop/rock than pop-punk, which inevitably means more interesting to those who know them just as that "Dance, Dance" band with the media-whoring bassist, Pete Wentz.
So the results are hit-and-miss. The Maroon 5-ish "I'm Like a Lawyer..." is glaringly one of the Babyface-produced tracks, and with a vocal hook uncomfortably close to Phil Collins' cover of "Groovy Kind of Love," it plays like the guys were the ruffled house band for a prom. It's ill-fitting, a notion that continues in cuts like the soft rock piano of "Golden" and the airy "The (After) Life of the Party." But on the flip side, the fizzy urban-pop nugget "This Ain't a Scene, It's an Arms Race" dances around double-time hardcore choruses and backing choral singers with dizzying precision and infectious results, while dramatic gospel flair excellently lines "Hum Hallelujah." Stump's vocal control and agility is incredible; he truly brings songs alive in a way uniquely his own, and it's a toss-up as to whether he or drummer Andrew Hurley should get this record's gold star. So it's not to say the pop explosion that is Infinity on High is all bad. Even the studio extravagances -- multiple producers (Babyface and Butch Walker handle a few outside Neil Avron) and decadent layers of horns, string sections, and choirs -- don't detract from its overall enjoyability. Yet unlike My Chemical Romance, who knew exactly what they wanted in the grand theatrics of 2006's Welcome to the Black Parade and completely went for it without apology, Fall Out Boy is at odds. Previously, they could easily skip around with pop baggage, hardcore tension, cunning wordplay, and infectious melodies without losing their edge. Now they just seem too self-aware. Don't misunderstand: once Infinity on High sinks in, it's indeed a fun record. But for a band that was once so self-assured and able to utilize its talents so compellingly, the album is regrettably haphazard. Fall Out Boy may hate people who "dissect us 'til this doesn't mean a thing anymore," but in trying to appeal to all of them, they lost something unique along the way.
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
More >
So I'm finally going to make the trip to the guitar riff side of town... Yes that's right. I'm taking a moment to leave my soul/jazz/funk/hip-hop home and try the sweet taste of the music that is known as "alternative" or rock and roll. I know a few musically inclined folks at my school (see previous post), so I went and asked them what's good alternative music. One fellow suggested the new Fal...
More >
I really think Fall Out Boy sold their souls to the devil.And I mean no disrespect to fans of FOB. I was one, at one time. Before they became HUGE and began making guest appearences on One Tree Hill. Now, I'm just over it. And yet, I.can't.stop listening. Which has led me to believe they've made an evil pact with the devil. I mean, a few months back, they were on the VMAs (or some such ot...
More >
I’ll be at the Berlin concert on March 24th! Maybe we could have an internet fans meet & greet? Here's one way to get backstage access:You can win two concert tickets including a meet&greet with Fall Out Boy for their upcoming tour in Germany. Make your own video or take a photo of yourself in a rock-pose and upload it onto http://de.sevenload.com/specials/fall-out-boy
More >
I’ll be at the Berlin concert on March 24th! Maybe we could have an internet fans meet & greet? Here's one way to get backstage access:You can win two concert tickets including a meet&greet with Fall Out Boy for their upcoming tour in Germany. Make your own video or take a photo of yourself in a rock-pose and upload it onto http://de.sevenload.com/specials/fall-out-boy
More >
I live in Orange County, guys.And I'm flying to Ohio in April to see Butch Walker.I figure if the man isn't coming to me, I'm gonna have to go to him.
More >
The leaked Fall Out Boy album, infinity on high, just hit #1 spot on US album chart. More on hitchaser.com.
More >
So I was talking to some friends the other day and I realised where the meaning in living is today. (today as in the date and current shape of the world (which is round (Duh!!!))). Anyways. What people live for is to be old. Thats right, I said it Old. With a capitol O! Face it you work and put money away for retirement. You go to college so you can get a better job so you don't have to work al...
More >
The Faversham isnt a place, if you drive by to be a pub/club/gig venue at all! Inside it is alright only complate is that the stage isn't high off the floor if you get me, if you have taller people standing in front of you...well your buggered if you wanna see owt! Also it isn't the easist of places to get to..luckly enough we had a sat nav and only got lost looking for a cash machine! Right th...
More >
Bloc PartyFall Out BoySondre Lercheone of these things is not like the others? get over it, dudes. Infinity On High is the brightest light I've got right now and it makes me dance like a maniac in my bedroom in the dark at all hours. I'm overdosing on it now so that, come tuesday, I've got time for the other two. :D
More >
Hey, So I was just wondering if anyone will be botherd with "Fall Out Boy" this time around, I mean there is some hardcore fans about literally falling at the feet of "Pete". But everyone else, will you buy it, or even give it a listen, I personally thought that the last album was pretty good, a god mix of pop/punk rock/emo think on my ipod to breakup boreing acoustic and hard rock. I will prob...
More >
Patrick Stump.Butch Walker.Fleshy goodness.Hipbones.Delightful.
More >
001. Fall Out Boy's new album Infinity on High is so painfully great and fun that I almost can't handle it.002. I bought four new CDs yesterday: Amor Amor and C'est Si Bon by Arielle Dombasle, Mating Game by Bitter:Sweet, and Quelqu'un M'a Dit by Carla Bruni.003. Keane this Friday! Yay!
More >
It's true. Although, to be fair, pretty much everything makes Pete Wentz cry. Poverty. Disease. A shortage of tight pants at Hot Topic (or whatever that blasted shop you yanks complain about is called).As for the album, so far everything I've read has either be praise written in l33t by 13 year olds girls who end every sentence with "xxx" or saying it's the worst collection of songs ever put do...
More >
I have been waiting for MOG to be back up and running to get your opinions on this matter. Nothing has angered me more in the last 10 years than the commercials you are forced to sit through before a movie. I go to a movie to enjoy a picture, not be bombarded by companies trying to sell me something. It seems as if this type of product placement might just make its way into music videos. The fo...
More >
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
More >
Bloc PartyFall Out BoySondre Lercheone of these things is not like the others? get over it, dudes. Infinity On High is the brightest light I've got right now and it makes me dance like a maniac in my bedroom in the dark at all hours. I'm overdosing on it now so that, come tuesday, I've got time for the other two. :D
More >
So I'm finally going to make the trip to the guitar riff side of town... Yes that's right. I'm taking a moment to leave my soul/jazz/funk/hip-hop home and try the sweet taste of the music that is known as "alternative" or rock and roll. I know a few musically inclined folks at my school (see previous post), so I went and asked them what's good alternative music. One fellow suggested the new Fal...
More >
I live in Orange County, guys.And I'm flying to Ohio in April to see Butch Walker.I figure if the man isn't coming to me, I'm gonna have to go to him.
More >
It's true. Although, to be fair, pretty much everything makes Pete Wentz cry. Poverty. Disease. A shortage of tight pants at Hot Topic (or whatever that blasted shop you yanks complain about is called).As for the album, so far everything I've read has either be praise written in l33t by 13 year olds girls who end every sentence with "xxx" or saying it's the worst collection of songs ever put do...
More >
So I was talking to some friends the other day and I realised where the meaning in living is today. (today as in the date and current shape of the world (which is round (Duh!!!))). Anyways. What people live for is to be old. Thats right, I said it Old. With a capitol O! Face it you work and put money away for retirement. You go to college so you can get a better job so you don't have to work al...
More >
001. Fall Out Boy's new album Infinity on High is so painfully great and fun that I almost can't handle it.002. I bought four new CDs yesterday: Amor Amor and C'est Si Bon by Arielle Dombasle, Mating Game by Bitter:Sweet, and Quelqu'un M'a Dit by Carla Bruni.003. Keane this Friday! Yay!
More >
Patrick Stump.Butch Walker.Fleshy goodness.Hipbones.Delightful.
More >
The leaked Fall Out Boy album, infinity on high, just hit #1 spot on US album chart. More on hitchaser.com.
More >
Fall Out Boy is now allowing normal people like you and me (well I don't think I'm that normal, but you get what I mean) to listen to their new and upcoming single "This Ain't a Scene, It's an Arms Race" (hence the title of the blog) Anyway I've decided to post a link to the site where you can listen to it. I'm really quite enjoying it myself, very up beat. I'm posting this now so that you wil...
More >
The Faversham isnt a place, if you drive by to be a pub/club/gig venue at all! Inside it is alright only complate is that the stage isn't high off the floor if you get me, if you have taller people standing in front of you...well your buggered if you wanna see owt! Also it isn't the easist of places to get to..luckly enough we had a sat nav and only got lost looking for a cash machine! Right th...
More >
I really think Fall Out Boy sold their souls to the devil.And I mean no disrespect to fans of FOB. I was one, at one time. Before they became HUGE and began making guest appearences on One Tree Hill. Now, I'm just over it. And yet, I.can't.stop listening. Which has led me to believe they've made an evil pact with the devil. I mean, a few months back, they were on the VMAs (or some such ot...
More >
Click to purchase…
© 2006-2009 Mog Inc. All Rights Reserved
 "Infinity on High")
