Fall Out Boy
Infinity On High

THE REVIEW

In just under 4 days, the new album by Fall Out Boy, "Infinity on High," will be released.

The emo/pop-punk band, accused by many of being a manufactured product, has overcome general skepticism thanks primarily to the lyrics written by bassist Pete Wentz. This particular individual is something of an idol for young girls, let's say the emo lad who is so trendy now and scores more than anyone else.

Tattooed, perpetually sullen, he attempted suicide in 2005 by ingesting several pills. It was precisely in that year that the group signed with a major label, Island, and became known to teenagers glued to TV and MTV. So, after the global success, largely due to the singles "Sugar, We're Going Down" and the playful "Dance, Dance," we have in our hands this album of pure and simple pop-rock.

Therefore, if you're looking for something original or heavy, don't look for it in this band with such a "damned" name. Catchy tunes, easy to hum along to and very similar to one another, will make many people happy. However, it should be noted that they have a decent drummer (with a grind-core past... yes, you heard right...) and a singer who is good not only at singing (as is appropriate) but especially at interpreting lyrics that aren't his own. The album's title, "Infinity on High," is taken from a line in a letter written by Vincent van Gogh to his brother Theo in 1888 ("be clearly aware of the stars and infinity on high. Then life seems almost enchanted after all"), in which the painter describes his recovered health and the vigor it allowed him to impart to his new works.

The album was mainly produced by Neal Avron, who had also handled their previous production, and by BabyFace, one of the most important r'n'b producers. It all opens with a sort of introduction to the public given by rapper Jay-Z in the song "Thriller." It is followed by "The Take Over, The Breaks Over," where you can appreciate the talented voice of Patrick Stump, featuring guitar solos by Ryan Ross (Panic! At the Disco) and Chad Gilbert (New Found Glory).

The third song, and also a single, is "This Ain't a Scene, It's an Arms Race." Right after comes the first tear-jerker. Then a fleeting song of about 2 and a half minutes titled "Golden." In between, a bit of punk-rock ("Hum Hallelujah," the title...). Certainly worth mentioning are "The Carpal Tunnel of Love" and the very fast "You're Crashing, But You're No Wave," featuring singer-producer Butch Walker. It all closes with the decent "I've Got All This Ringing in My Ears and None on My Fingers." Almost at the end of the song, you can hear the applause from the audience (evidently satisfied...) and a voice urging us to hit the "repeat" button.

One last curiosity: to incentivize the purchase of the album rather than its free download from the web (already possible illegally for a few days), by inserting the original CD into the computer player, it will also be possible to access a free EP downloadable from the internet titled "Leaked in London," which the group will record on January 29th in England at the Hammersmith Palais in London, on the occasion of the last concert of their short tour in the United Kingdom.