Ok, I admit it. When Fall Out Boy first came on the scene a few years back, I really wanted to hate these guys. There might have been even a few jabs thrown their ways in past articles. But when finally giving the Chicago quartet a chance, some of the most melodic riffs vocals in popular music today.

The group’s latest album, Infinity On High ups the ante a bit and is an upgrade in variety and the production and evolution of the band’s sound. Produced by various people at the helm (including R&B producer extraordinaire Babyface ), the band surprisingly fused 80s sounding pop-rock and meshes it with moments of their own sound.

The album begins with “Thriller,” in which the non-Michael Jackson cover starts with a stamp of approval rap from Def Jam President Jay-Z, before exploding into a shocking metalcore riff before lead singer Patrick Stump takes control of the song.

The album borrows heavily from the catchier of late 80s pop-rock material, with extremely choruses on the ready-made single “I’m Like A Lawyer…” and “Don’t You Know Who I Am?” Along with drummer Andy Hurley, Stump provides the backbone of the group with his vastly improving harmonies. On the Babyface produced tracks (“Lawyer” and “Thanks for the Memories”), Stump obviously taken a cue from past Babyface produced artists and belts out choruses instead of screaming or growling like many of his emo-rock peers.

With the lead-off single “This Ain’t A Scene,” the band may finally have their signature single, with a sing-a-long final chorus, and its heavy R&B influences. Also, the same sound is heard on the equally as catchy “Carpal Tunnel of Love.”

The album does have its weak spots. “After Life of the Party” sounds puzzling to most of the band’s fans and doesn’t ignite any excitement. Later track “You’re Crashing, But You’re No Wave” seems like a rejected My Chemical Romance theme styled track that sounds forced and doesn’t fit in with the album.

For the most part of Infinity On High you can see Fall Out Boy slowly pulling themselves away from their emo counterparts. Now, the band just needs to admit that they are a pop group. And that’s not always a bad thing. Love ‘em or hate ‘em, this album will have you tapping your feet on more than a few occasions.

GRADE: B+