If a sign of maturity is shorter song titles and introspective lyrics, then Fall Out Boy [ tickets ] has the golden ticket on its latest major-label release, "Folie a Deux."

Perhaps to show off its newfound maturity, the Chicago-bred quartet pulled aside some of its favorite artists--Debbie Harry, Kanye West, Elvis Costello and onetime labelmates Brendon Urie (Panic at the Disco) and Travis McCoy (Gym Class Heroes)--to lend vocal help.

But even with the assistance of some of music's steadfast superstars, "Folie a Deux" is inconsistent, if not downright schizophrenic. There were lyrical hooks-aplenty on Fall Out Boy's previous major-label releases--"Infinity on High" and "From Under the Cork Tree"--but they're not overly abundant on "Folie a Deux."

The new CD's first half is particularly weak, with the exception of the first single, "I Don't Care," and "America's Suitehearts," a song that's not about lyricist/bassist Pete Wentz and his wife. (He's married to pop singer Ashlee Simpson-Wentz, for those who don't read the tabs.) "I Don't Care," with its "Spirit in the Sky" guitar hook, takes mall rock to a new level, emphasizing the downfall of love in the surging chorus, "I don't care what you think as long as it's about me/The best of us can find happiness in misery."

"Disloyal Order of Water Buffaloes" kicks off the album with its Who-like guitar licks. There are clever lyrics--"I'm a loose bolt of a complete machine/What a match, I'm half doomed and you're semi-sweet"--but they're low on the catchiness scale.

What saves this album from completely falling apart is Neal Avron's production. He rescues songs such as "Headfirst Slide into Cooperstown on a Bad Bet" with multi-tracked vocal harmonies and grandiose pianos that make for downright anthemic choruses.

[Editor's note: An incorrect song reference was corrected in this review on 1/2/09.]