Infinity on High

“What your critics said will never happen; we dedicate this album to anybody. To the people who said we could never make it, to the fans who held us down, to the people that came around, welcome, it’s here.” Was the famous rapper Jay-Z’s brazen pronouncement, marking the beginning of Fall Out Boy’s fourth album, Infinity on High. Fall Out Boy tore through the boundaries that hold back most artists nowadays, adopting new sounds, but not losing what makes them unique in the process.

Released February 6th, on Island Records, Infinity on High was already huge, with its current hit song “This Ain’t a Scene, It’s an Arms Race,” already receiving air time on the radio, MTV, Fuse, Vh1 and constant viewing on You Tube. It reached number three on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart, number one on Billboard Hot 200 Top Albums, even prior to the release.

Infinity on High grasps three major themes; anger towards the “scene,” sending a message to a loved one, and saying goodbye. These three major themes are highlighted throughout Infinity. With their up surging popularity from their third album From Under the Cork Tree, they have received much negative comments stating that they were quote “posers.” Fall Out Boy asserts their disgust towards those people who dislike them or like them according to their popularity. “Bandwagon’s full, please catch another.” Lead Singer, Patrick Stump coyly sings on the track “This Ain’t a Scene, It’s an Arms Race,” definitely portraying their repugnance. Throughout most of Fall Out Boy’s material there is an underlying message to their loved ones, asking them to not forget them and the good times they have had. Basically, much of Infinity is a goodbye letter. Could this mean this is the last album of Fall Out Boy’s?

Infinity on High begins with a crescendo of guitars, a classic Fall Out Boy song, a revival of their sophomore album Take This to Your Grave, on a song about their “scene” losing its meaning as it comes into popularity on the track “Thriller.” A new bluesier, jazzier sound is introduced into their repertoire with songs like “The Take Over the Break Over” and “I’m a Lawyer…” Also, Fall Out Boy dips into other styles with “Golden,” an angst-ridden piano ballad saying goodbye and “Thanks fr th mmrs,” a reflective orchestral-back piece that sounds like a song from a contemporary musical, like Rent.

Infinity is a fight between three powerful sounds. Always present is the classic Fall Out Boy sound, heavily distorted guitars and an angst filled singer, belting out the lyrics (“Fame<Infinity,” is a rougher, darker example of this). As the albums go by, they have developed a more mature sound. Instead of trying to blow the listener away, they have realized that they should focus more on the sound and hooks, and the emotion behind the songs. The final style they have incorporated is a sugary-pop-typed punk love songs. This quite possibly could be adopted from their former tour mates The All-American Rejects. “The Carpal Tunnel of Love” and “Don’t You Know Who I Think I Am?” are the examples of this.

Fall Out Boy has greatly progressed in their musical style. They have broken down boundaries with their revolutionary approaches, having the famous R&B produce, Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds, produce some songs on Infinity, and have made music videos with non too subtle messages about the ridiculousness of fame. Infinity on High is a great album full of hooks and amazing songs. It is a definite record to check out because it’s sure to be big!