Fall Out Boy - Infinity on High: Album Review
Fall Out Boy, Infinity on High (Island, 2007)
Perhaps you've heard of Fall Out Boy. "Sugar We're Going Down," from their 2005 major label debut From Under the Cork Tree, was an MTV staple despite the fact that MTV only plays music videos like once a week. This it the long-awaited follow-up to that album.
THRILLER
Whoa, it's Jay-Z! Why is Jay-Z dedicating this album to people as if he wrote it? In case you're wondering, this has nothing to do with the Michael Jackson song. Er, at least it doesn't sound anything like it.
THE TAKE OVER, THE BREAK'S OVER
Similarly, you'll notice this takes its title from a line from Jay's "The Takeover," but it doesn't seem to have much, if anything to do with Nas and Prodigy from Mobb Deep. The lead singer guy's singing on this actually pretty brilliant, if you listen to it.
THIS AIN'T A SCENE, IT'S AN ARMS RACE
The humorous lead single, which I believe they described in interviews as having a Babyface feel to it. I'd say it's more of a Backstreet Boys feel though, but in a good way. Er, at least as good as that sort of thing can be.
I'M LIKE A LAWYER WITH THE WAY I'M ALWAYS TRYING TO GET YOU OFF (ME & YOU)
Probably the most conventially structured song so far, but I guess this is one of the ones designed to appeal to the ladies. The chorus is some real Disney Channel shit.
HUM HALLELUJAH
Even more paint by numbers sk8er boi rock than the last one, except for about two thirds of the way through when they bust into a chorus of the Leonard Cohen/John Cale (not to mention Jeff Buckley and Willie Nelson and God knows who else) classic "Hallelujah."
GOLDEN
"Hum Hallelujah" kinda fades into this, which I thought was a nice touch. More so than anything else, this actually reminds me of the ballads on the last Silverchair album. In fact, this guy's whole schtick is essentially an exaggerated latter period Daniel Johns, but using mall punk rather than grunge as a jumping off point. Anyone?
THNKS FR TH MMRS
I learned from Wikipedia that a line from this ("he tastes like you, only sweeter") is a reference to the movie Closer. As they say in Creve Coeur, Bonus!
DON'T YOU KNOW WHO I THINK I AM?
Another of the spikier, extra-familiar joints on this. If they release more than three singles from this, this could be a strong contender.
THE (AFTER) LIFE OF THE PARTY
If you notice, a lot of these songs are basically ballads with cranked up mall punk guitars. It's not a bad (or particularly novel) idea, but these lyrics don't do a whole lot for me.
THE CARPAL TUNNEL OF LOVE
I'm assuming this about rubbing one out, but who knows. The title is obviously a reference to the '80s-era post Born in the USA Springsteen album.
BANG THE DOLDRUMS
What would be a bit of side two album filler is somewhat redeemed by the kind of chorus that begs to be sung along with.
FAME < INFAMY
Faster and harder rocking than anything else on here, but there isn't much of a hook.
YOU'RE CRASHING, BUT YOU'RE NO WAVE
Same story, more or less, except this may attempt to tell some sort of story.
I'VE GOT ALL THIS RINGING IN MY EARS AND NONE ON MY FINGERS
The part during the verses kinda sounds like "Tusk." Prince should've covered this at the Super Bowl instead of that damn Foo Fighters song.
COMMENTS: This is definitely not my kinda music, but I can't help but kinda like it; it's definitely got a subversive element that extends beyond just the goofy song titles and what have you. I just wish the production didn't have such a "polished" feel to it. I'd love to see these attempt something along the lines of a Pinkerton, but they might not be quite damaged enough for that yet.
BEST TRACKS: You can't go wrong with the first three.
BONUS VIDEO: "This Ain't a Scene, It's an Arms Race"
