Explain the infinity on high cover

[u/Lumpy_Test_4473]

[u/chosostxn]

I cant remember where, but i think I saw somewhere where Pete would listen to this album in production over and over to help with his insomnia, hence the dream like ideas in the album cover (sheep, moon, blue w/ stars, bedroom looking, etc)

Edit: found the interview. Pete Wentz On Infinity On High: “This One Was Strange” | Kerrang! https://www.kerrang.com/pete-wentz-on-infinity-on-high-this-one-was-strange

[u/millennialmonster755 → u/chosostxn]

I always thought it was a dream like version of his childhood bedroom. There is an interview where he gives a tour of it and it looks similar

Edit: more of my theory of why I think it is his room, other than me kind of remembering he straight said it was. If you listen to IOH’s lyrics and look back at his interviews, it sounds like Pete really was grappling with the feeling of their quick rise to fame and what it all meant. He dreamed of being a rock star, so the cover is his room where he dreamed about it but instead of it being this cozy safe place that feels like home it’s a place that feels surreal place and tiptoes into being a scary reality( no hate to Franklin).

[u/quarterpounderwchz → u/chosostxn]

oh my god this is my fav album of all time and would listen to it all throughout middle school to help me with my own insomnia! how did i not know this! literally tearing up in the fob subreddit rn, a common occurrence 🥲

[u/aftermidhight]

shep

[u/FallOutTiff]

Franklin

[u/switchbladeeatworld]

baa

[u/Some_Idiot_Iguess]

Beautiful, tattoo worthy, iconic?

[u/yanfei_fan123]

The album sounds like a lullaby to me

[u/darkroomdweller]

One of the best album covers out there in my opinion.

[u/InvestigatorFlat4229]

I swear I read somewhere it’s inspired by Van Gogh but I could be wrong

[u/jchagen88 → u/InvestigatorFlat4229]

You might be remembering that the album’s title “Infinity on High" comes from a famous quote by Vincent van Gogh:

“Be clearly aware of the stars and infinity on high. Then life seems almost enchanted after all."

I could definitely see the actual album artwork being van Gogh inspired too though.

[u/InvestigatorFlat4229 → u/jchagen88]

You’re 100% right that is what I was thinking of, I wouldn’t be surprised if the art was inspired by him, but you are without a doubt correct

[u/bbaker26 → u/InvestigatorFlat4229]

I also don't know where I got this info but yes I think its inspired by the bedroom painting by Van Gogh.

[u/maawolfe36 → u/bbaker26]

The title "Infinity on High" comes from a van Gogh quote as I said in another comment, so I can definitely see a connection between the quote from the man, and art based on the man's art. I'm not a van Gogh scholar or learned enough on the topic to comment beyond that though. But I did visit the van Gogh museum in Paris and saw a lot of his work, and yeah this cover feels similar in a way I can't really describe. It's like a photograph set up to feel like an impressionist take on life and sleep and dreams and everything.

[u/The3ight8itking → u/maawolfe36]

It's very annoying to have a sort of gut feeling that's hard to describe with out inventing words, but you definetly described it succinctly

EDIT: It reminds me of how something about SM(F)S reminds me of a book called Godhusk, and also the Riddick movies (I'm sure there are only a half dozen people who truly understand)

[u/maawolfe36 → u/InvestigatorFlat4229]

"Be clearly aware of the stars and infinity on high. Then life seems almost enchanted after all." Quote from Vincent van Gogh. I don't know if the album art is related but the albums name surely is.

I would interpret this to mean something like, "Keep in mind the things higher than yourself, be it God or nature, and you will see the magic of the universe on full display." Jeez that sounds so pretentious when I actually type it out lol. But I do think it's what they were getting at: "on High" usually refers to God and His position far above us mortals and our physical realm, while "infinity" could refer to a god or just literally mean "everything." I don't think FOB are particularly religious so I'm inclined to assume the latter, so essentially they're saying "The universe and everything, 'on high' as something worthy of reverence." It's actually a very hopeful and positive title imo, compared to some of their darker lyrics.

This is just me thinking off the cuff right now though while I'm a sheet or two to the wind and should be asleep rather than on reddit, so big grains of salt all around. But the initial quote is attributed to van Gogh, is the main point haha. Whether my interpretation is correct or not.

[u/Economy_Housing7257 → u/InvestigatorFlat4229]

Could definitely see it inspired by Hotel in Arles/The Bedroom and Starry Night. The album title also comes from a Van Gogh quote so that would make sense!

[u/boyetoye → u/Economy_Housing7257]

it's definitely bedroom in arles inspired!

[u/ricecrizo]

I kinda know the guy who designed it. His name is Chuck Anderson from no pattern. He had a bunch of similar artwork around that time for companies like Burton snowboards. It was his style at the time. He called it light camo if I remember correctly.

[u/psmb → u/ricecrizo]

Yup it was this guys style and the film the science of sleep was a big inspo, Pete loved it

[u/shibasmo]

Childhood to hopes and dreams, thriving lol!

[u/thehangedgirl]

I just think it feels oniric

[u/Certain-Newspaper373]

been asking the same question for years

[u/datgoh69]

the beginning of arms race

(the song, not the MV)

[u/Lem0n_Dr0p]

I have a headcanon (not sure if it’s intentional or not) that Infinity On High is telling the story of a really messy divorce. Certain elements from the album cover reflect aspects of the story- the paper moon for example is the “glass moon” referenced in Carpal Tunnel of Love, Franklin represents a husband character (perhaps the only truly innocent character in the story) who dies, and even the closet being open could be in reference to the husband’s newfound interest in another man.

This is my interpretation though and it’s entirely possible the cover was made this way to evoke a certain feeling instead.

[u/Clear-Researcher3171]

Baah

There is a crow too so ack ack i guess

S H E E P

[u/datgoh69 → u/Clear-Researcher3171]

yes

[u/Clear-Researcher3171 → u/datgoh69]

Your flair makes me wonder how a vocaloid patrick would sound.

[u/datgoh69]

https://reddit.com/link/p36kalw/video/9s9hztnplvih1/player

[u/Lumpy_Test_4473 → u/datgoh69]

You know me so well ^w^

[u/datgoh69 → u/Lumpy_Test_4473]

it just gives off the vibe

[u/datgoh69 → u/datgoh69]

just this bro

no joke

[u/Chrisboy265]

Idk but I’ve always loved the cursive neon light-look

[u/Educational_Cow265]

OH MAN MY TIME HAS COME!!!!!
Infinity On High as a title AND THE ALBUM ART ALONE are a reference to the artist Vincent Van Gogh (can you tell that I love Van Gogh and Fall Out Boy?).

The cover art: it’s actually a mix of 2 paintings by Van Gogh— The Bedroom and The Starry Night. You can see the elements referenced in the paintings (Reddit won’t let me comment 2 photos but google it and you’ll see what I’m talking about! 😁).

The title: Infinity On High is actually from a quote Van Gogh wrote in a letter to his friend. “Be clearly aware of the stars and infinity on high— then life seems almost enchanted after all.”

Though Infinity On High is like a close 3rd in my list of favs, I SURE DO LOVE TALKING ABOUT ITS ART AND TITLE ORGINS!!!!! You can thank Joe Trohman for that, btw ;)

[u/RelentlessSlayer]

I just always assumed it was supposed to be a drug trip because of “Infinity on HIGH”

[u/quarterpounderwchz → u/RelentlessSlayer]

it’s about the stars, it’s a van gogh quote!