Fall Out Boy
Infinity On High

Fueled by Ramen/Island

Fall Out Boy have a lot to prove — not just that they’re worthy of borrowing their name from The Simpsons and not just that they can follow-up their breakthrough smash single “Sugar, We’re Going Down”, but also that they can keep up with critically acclaimed emo peers My Chemical Romance.

Infinity on High is not nearly as powerful or ambitious as MCR’s Black Parade, but it is indeed a bold step for the Chicago band and, from start to finish, a pretty great pop-punk record. “Thriller” marries martial drums with LiveJournal poetry, “Hum Halleluja” combines chugging guitars, a swaggering chorus and gospel touches, while unexpected R&B beats fuel their awesome anti-emo tirade “This Ain’t a Scene, It’s an Arms Race.”

Haters may understandably slam Pete Wentz’s pug-face and dumb puns (“You’re Crashing, But You’re No Wave,” “The Carpal Tunnel of Love,”) but FOB have indeed proven that it knows its way around arms-up anthems.