MCT DIRECT
Fall Out Boy
Infinity on High
Rating: 4.5/5
Tracks to download: “Thriller,” “Hum Hallejuah,” “Golden,” “THNKS Fr TH MMRS”
For fans of: Panic! at the Disco, All-American Rejects, The Early November
Fall Out Boy’s new album, “Infinity on High” is a diverse and entertaining album of catchy pop-punk songs. But, unlike many other albums in the same vein, “Infinity on High” never feels worn or tired. Fall Out Boy’s musical versatility is showcased throughout the album, making almost all of the songs sound innovative.
One of the greatest highlights of “Infinity on High” is not an irresistibly catchy song like “Dance, Dance” or “Sugar, We’re Goin’ Down.” Instead it is “Golden,” a poignant ballad placed in the middle of the album. An oasis in a CD full of fast-paced songs, “Golden” delights the listener with its expressiveness. Patrick Stump, the lead singer of Fall Out Boy, sings its lyrics with conviction: “And I saw God cry in the reflection of my enemies/And all the lovers with no time for me.”
Even though “Golden” is a beautiful respite from the pop-punk songs that dominate the album, this doesn’t mean the rest of the album is poorly done. On the contrary, “Infinity on High” consistently engages the listener with its songs. The album is full of great pop songs such as “THNKS Fr TH MMRS.” In this song, Stump sings with a boyish glee that makes it irresistible. “The Take Over, the Break’s Over” is another straight-ahead pop-punk song that Fall Out Boy turns into an instant sing-along.
The ability of “Infinity on High” to remain creative throughout is highlighted in numerous songs. “Bang the Doldrums” is a fantastically energetic song that has an undeniably fun chorus, “Best friend, best friends till the end/Better off as lovers and not the other way . Whoa-ho-ho-whoa.” Another song that highlights Fall Out Boy’s inventiveness is “Hum Hallelujah.” In the middle of the song the entire band except the drums fall out, with a faux-chorus singing “Hallelujah” while Stump sings “Hum Hallelujah” on top of them. It is moments like this that make “Infinity on High” a step above most modern pop-punk albums. Unfortunately, the album has a few songs that are not particularly distinct, like “Fame