The road to Fall Out Boy’s newest album was, as they say in track 5, paved with good intentions. As the third release from the now chart-topping band, “Infinity on High” proves to be exactly what the majority of their fans wanted, a pop album. In the last 5 years, FOB’s fan-base has gone from a handful of Chicago punks to a nation of 15-year-old girls with Pete Wentz posters in their lockers. After strong radio play from the band’s sophomore album “From Under the Cork Tree”, FOB gained their “Comeback of the Year” by taking over TRL and teenage hearts everywhere. By making some famous friends, hooking up with big time producers, and getting backed by a major label, FOB’s Patrick Stump(vocals), Pete Wentz(bass), Joe Trohman(guitar), and Andy Hurley(drums) have dropped an album perfect for top 40 stations nationwide.

Listening to “Infinity on High”, I was immediately skeptical. I’ve been a fair-weather Fall Out Boy fan for years and vowed never to see them live again after being smooshed amidst a group of teenage girls with homemade t-shirts at the Nintendo Fusion Tour two years ago. I’ll admit, several of the songs are catchy and Pete Wentz continues to be master of hooks. “This Ain’t A Scene, It’s an Arms Race” made me nearly break out in spin kicks while listening to it at the bus stop and “Thriller” is now on my party shuffle (even though it sounds remarkably like something Ryan Ross of Panic! At the Disco would write).

Aside from those two and a couple other stand-out tracks “Hum Hallelujah” and “Thnks fr th Mmrs”, I was less than impressed. The fourth track, “I’m Like a Lawyer in How I’m Always Trying to Get You Off”, sounds like something originally written for Otown or another one of my little sister’s favorite boy bands. The first time I heard the chorus, “Me and you, setting in a honeymoon”, Fall Out Boy lost my hope for this album. I soon wished I could ask Pete Wentz if he’s forgotten the band’s roots as a punk/hardcore band by “The (After) Life of the Party” which starts out sounding like a Pat Benatar song, but he proves he remembers with a pathetic screamo attempt on the very next track. I had a hard time listening to the remainder of the album which turns out to be a mix of cheesy ballads and over-produced sure-fire radio hits.

In all, Fall Out Boy and I will continue our love/hate relationship. I’ll listen to a couple songs when I need a good cardio workout dancing around my apartment, never pay $30 to see them on an arena tour, keep my old FOB shirts hidden in the back of my closet, and hope for a day 20 years from now when they play a local festival and rock out Rick Springfield style.