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Life & Arts

Fall Out Boy launches new campaign

Pop band changes style again, and it's successful -- at least in the beginning 

by CHRIS ELLIOTT
The Daily Cougar

Fall Out Boy manages to tweak its style to provide fans and listeners with something different with each album release. 

Infinity On High, Fall Out Boy's most recent album, could be labeled as a pop record, while From Under The Cork Tree, the 2005 release that launched the group into the limelight vastly differs in sound from Take This To Your Grave, which was punk in its purest form. 

The four-member band from Chicago has evolved into a radio-friendly, MTV-era iconic machine that will continue to produce chart-topping hits, and Infinity on High is a testament. It will take its place in line behind Take This To Your Grave and From under The Cork Tree, but as long as Fall Out Boy is blessed enough to have lead singer Patrick Stump belting out Pete Wentz' catchy, and ironically confusing lyrics, they'll have a one-up on every other band in the business.

Infinity On High is a top-heavy album that gives listeners what they want right from the get go. 

"Thriller," the album's premier track, begins with an unexpected yet perfectly done intro by the artist many consider the best rapper alive: Jay-Z.

"Yeah, what you critics said would never happen / We dedicate this album to anybody people said couldn't make it. / To the fans that held us down till everybody came around. / Welcome. It's here."

The acoustic melody, which mixes surprisingly well with Hova's voice, vanishes with the last line of the intro and is abruptly replaced with the commanding strum of guitars, set off by the double kick drum. It's something that sets the tone for the album, as well as raises the expectations. 

Stump is given a chance to show off what must be the best voice in the genre in those tracks, and in certain parts of "The Take Over, The Break's Over," his voice sounds like that of the King of Pop, if you listen hard enough. 

"This Ain't a Scene, It's an Arms Race" was Fall Out Boy's first single from Infinity On High and similar to From Under The Cork Tree's "Dance, Dance" has sent a unique and attractive sound across the country's airwaves.

Seven out of the albums first eight tracks are enjoyable, but once you get past that mark you're in for some slim pickings. With the exception of "Fame < Infamy," the bottom half of Infinity On High is bland, which is something usually not associated with Fall Out Boy.
 

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