Infinity On High
by Fall Out Boy
  • Record Label: Island
  • Release Date: Feb 6, 2007
Metascore
75

Generally favorable reviews - based on 23 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 18 out of 23
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 23
  3. Negative: 0 out of 23
  1. AllMusic
    70
    For a band that was once so self-assured and able to utilize its talents so compellingly, the album is regrettably haphazard.
  2. Alternative Press
    80
    Some of the band's most gut-wrenching and powerful melodies to date. [Mar 2007, p.133]
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  3. Entertainment Weekly
    91
    Lo and behold, it turns out these pasty emo boys are a pretty great blue-eyed soul band.
  5. New Musical Express (NME)
    70
    It's nothing if not infectious.
  6. Observer Music Monthly
    60
    With a unique Backstreet Boys meets Bon Jovi production sheen, every track holds its own.
  7. PopMatters
    70
    Infinity on High is notably better than their previous installment.
  8. Rolling Stone
    70
    On Infinity on High, they expose the secret life of boys, in hilariously bloodcurdling detail.
  9. Spin
    80
    Infinity on High reveals a group that has grown so confident with success that the members are willing to give in to their every musical whim. [Feb 2007, p.83]
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  10. The New York Times
    60
    Fall Out Boy hasn’t turned into a band of rock-star blowhards yet; it’s still too hyperactive and catchy. But the songs were more fun when it was a band of underdogs. [5 Feb 2007]
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  11. Billboard
    80
    A shamelessly melodic, wild and powerful pop record. [10 Feb 2007]
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  12. The A.V. Club
    83
    FOB could've cut an album's worth of club hits and still found an audience. Its refusal to do so shows it still knows the difference between selling records and making fans.
  13. Uncut
    60
    A brave endeavour. But unlike My Chemical Romance's Black Parade, Infinity On High has critically little sense of its own ridiculousness. [Mar 2007, p.79]
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  14. NOW Magazine
    80
    It requires a certain level of self-denial to hate Fall Out Boy, as in, "No, I don't like huge hooks, soaring choruses or wild-eyed expressions of youthful ambition." If so, congratulations, you're 800 years old. Or a Joanna Newsom fan.
  15. Hartford Courant
    70
    Like Maroon 5... Fall Out Boy has found a middle ground where its raffish charm is edgy enough to engage teens in love with angst, and safe enough for the mass consumption that's sure to follow.
  16. Drowned In Sound
    60
    It’s a CD stuffed to the gill with great tunes, but little else. There's nothing to hang your heart on, as much as there's a huge amount to move your head and feet to.
  17. Stylus Magazine
    91
    So when you see Infinity On High getting praised, don’t bother scoffing. This deserves to get praised. There's a lot on here that's great and pretty much nothing that's bad.
  18. The Guardian
    70
    They may not be happy, but they haven't forgotten to be catchy.
  19. Blender
    70
    While none of the new album’s hooks match the taurine-mainlining rush of “Sugar, We’re Goin Down,” there’s still lots to love.
  20. Boston Globe
    60
    Anthems are plenty on "Infinity on High," and odds are good the fans are so well versed in bassist/lyricist Pete Wentz's pun-saturated, self-referential verbiage that they'll simply surrender -- as they should -- to the familiar burly riffs and candied hooks.
  21. Sputnikmusic
    70
    Essentially, Infinity On High is From Under The Cork Tree, except this time done well.
  22. Slant Magazine
    70
    The band's unusual songwriting method generally works.
  23. Q Magazine
    80
    Gleaming with instant hooks, this is a uniformly radio-friendly album. It's also a hugely addictive and likeable one. [Mar 2007, p.108]
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  24. Hot Press
    70
    So once you get over the fact it’s farcically emo, this album turns out to be a decent enough record to get you in the mood for the Saturday night indie disco.

Awards & Rankings

19
#19 Most Discussed Album of 2007
30
#30 Most Shared Album of 2007

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.1

Generally favorable reviews- based on 223 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 159 out of 223
  2. Mixed: 18 out of 223
  3. Negative: 46 out of 223
  1. darianb1031
    Jan 2, 2014
    9
    I never quite understood the hate for this album. I am proud to say that this is by far my favorite Fall Out Boy album, and maybe even one ofI never quite understood the hate for this album. I am proud to say that this is by far my favorite Fall Out Boy album, and maybe even one of my favorite albums of all time. Sure, it's a different sound than the normal Fall Out Boy, but it shows that Fall Out Boy are capable of change. From the anthemic opener "Thriller" to the amazing final two tracks "You're Crashing, But You're No Wave" and "I've Got All This Ringing in My Ears and None on My Fingers", this album always keeps me thoroughly entertained from beginning to end.… Full Review »
  2. saulcampion
    Oct 30, 2012
    9
    A major turning point in Fall Out Boy's work. The band has matured endlessly from From Under The Cork Tree, with the band's musicianship andA major turning point in Fall Out Boy's work. The band has matured endlessly from From Under The Cork Tree, with the band's musicianship and Pete's lyrics better than ever, though the most noticeable difference at first being Patrick's voice. He sounds more like a soul singer now and the likeness to his whining on Evening Out With Your Girlfriend is practically non-existent. Fall Out Boy draw in a lot more influences here, mainly from hip-hop, as evident in the albums opening four songs, but also expand their instrumentation for much more powerful song-writing than the album's predecessor. Wentz's lyrics are a puzzle wrapped in an enigma but he genuinely does have a lot to say. 'This is a love song in my own way' Patrick croons during one of the albums most tender moments. Patrick has claimed that he had the most creative influence out of the four on this album and from the result it's evident that's how it should always be. The man's a genius. The album's first seven songs are easily enjoyable and the second half takes the band's sound in an interesting and awesome new direction. There's still enough on here to please old fan's though - the Cork Tree reminiscent The Carpal Tunnel Of Love springs to mind, and not too much of a departure to completely alienate listeners. And one of the albums best songs comes in the bonus track G.I.N.A.S.F.S (gay is not a synonym for **** for anyone searching the internet in dismay)
    Innovative with big hooks and one of the years most essential albums.

    Standout tracks: "The Take Over, the Breaks Over", This Ain't A Scene, It's An Arms Race, Golden, Thnks Fr Th Mmrs, The (After) Life Of The Party, You're Crashing But You're No Wave, I've Got All This Ringing in My Ears and None on My Fingers    … Full Review »
  3. le_one
    Jun 4, 2013
    7
    Some hit songs over here, some rock and roll songs over there. Get that and mix it with some experimental music ideas and you get Infinity OnSome hit songs over here, some rock and roll songs over there. Get that and mix it with some experimental music ideas and you get Infinity On High. A mix of the band's rock and roll with external elements, such as R&B and, believe it or not, "Hum Hallelujah" sounds very... well similar to its title in some parts. "Fame Infamy" and "Thriller" are the highlights among the rocking tunes here and "Thnks fr th Mmrs", along with "The Take Over, The Breaks Over", "This Ain't a Scene, It's an Arms Race" and "I'm Like a Lawyer With the Way I'm Always Trying to Get You Off" are the absolute hits. Then you get the deep melodic "Golden" and the wonderful "The (After) Life of the Party" (another highlight) and you see that this album is very good. Some other tracks are good too but not that much. While everything seems okay, "The Carpal Tunnel of Love" is just a mess. Anyway, Infinity On High is worth checking out.… Full Review »
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