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Inside AP.net
| Academy Is, The - Almost Here | The Academy Is... Almost Here
Fueled By Ramen
{SCORE: 8.6/10}
1. Attention
2. Season
3. Slow Down
4. The Phrase that Pays
5. Black Mamba
6. Skeptics and True Believers
7. Classifieds
8. Checkmarks
9. Down and Out
10. Almost Here
In our music scene today, there seems to be a huge value placed on bands that can come up with the most original sound. However, there are constantly bands that slip under the radar, despite their incredible talent, because their sound is not as fresh and unique as some would prefer. Hopefully The Academy Is do not fall into this category, because what they have created in Almost Here is a spectacular album that, to me, is the epitome of the music that fans of this site listen to.
The first song opens up with the words, “Attention Attention may I have all your eyes and ears,” which is exactly what this band deserves. Immediately the bouncy tunes fill your speakers and draw you into what this album has to offer. I can’t tell you how many lines and choruses from this album have the potential to sink into your skull and not leave for days, but the chorus of the first song is your warning, because you are about to hear one of the most catchy albums in a long time. The music quickly moves into the upbeat verse of “Season,” a track that many people are probably familiar with from longtime exposure over at Purevolume. It was several months ago when I first heard this track that I realized that The Academy Is were onto a new and refined sound. It still remains as powerful and has a great breakdown, and again an insanely catchy chorus.
“Slow Down” is aptly titled as the pace halts just slightly. This is the first point on the album that we get a taste of the witty and smart lyrics that make The Academy Is so enjoyable to listen to. With lines like, “You kiss me like an overdramatic actor/Who’s starving for work/With one last shot to make it happen” they paint a pretty vibrant image in my mind, and place The Academy Is among bands like Fall Out Boy and Taking Back Sunday who’s clever lyrics have graced innumerable away messages and profiles. Bill Beckett’s vocals in the verse of this track show the style at which he performs best, softly yet poignantly weaving over the music with sharp words. The song maintains the band’s jumpy sound and will no doubt earn a fair share of head bobbing. Once again the breakdown is engaging and memorable. “The Phrase that Pays,” is probably my favorite song from the album mainly because of the fact that it is the best sing-along song so far this year. Again Bill blows me away with his vocal fluidity and intelligent lyrics. The verse of this song will pump you up and eventually have you screaming at the top of your lungs, “Is it serious?/I’m afraid it is/Am I gonna die?/Well son, death is gonna catch up to all one day/But yours is coming quicker than ours.”
Halfway through the album the band has only just begun their musical and verbal onslaught as they break into “Black Mamba,” a blockbuster song with a strong message and heart racing energy. Fans will love to scream along to this song live, which entails sharp words of criticism towards those who have negatively reviewed the band. With nice acoustic guitar fading into the verses and the bounciest breakdown yet, this track is one of the best and rocks like good music should. To me, Almost Here seems like the sophmore album Taking Back Sunday should have written. “Skeptics and True Believers,” attests to this theory as the formula and structure behind this song would make even Adam Lazzarra shed a tear, however that might be because Bill Beckett is about to shove his ass aside.
The well of clever lyrical stylings has not run dry by the time we reach “Classifieds.” The song uses the idea behind classified ads to sort of advertise Bill’s more material and stereotypical features in playful jest, seemingly selling himself as the most eligible bachelor. On this track one can truly recognize the excellent production on this record with several interesting vocal mixes, and a few guitar riffs that have a heavenly floating texture. If the words “Back down/Cash Out/That’s the city for ya,”don’t replay in your head like a broken record, then you my friend are immune to catchy tunes, and even Nsync’s “Bye Bye Bye,” won’t phase you. What? You want another smooth seductive vocal attack? Well “Checkmarks,” provides just that. Another track that many will recognize from Purevolume, this song just flat out rocks, and Bill’s voice possesses an outpour of emotion and distress that few singer’s could emulate.
Coming off of the intensity, The Academy takes it down a notch and reveals the mysterious, harmonious, and darkly passionate “Down and Out.” The song may have a pretty basic strumming pattern, but the eerie notes backed up by soft piano provide a really special sound that creates the most unique track on the record. However, it doesn’t stay slow, as the chorus and second verse come into play, this track provides some very interesting and truthful social commentary. And hey, my name is mentioned in the breakdown so that’s a plus. Rightfully so, the song fades away with the same moody riff with which it began, and I remain thoroughly impressed with this album. Speaking of the record that Taking Back Sunday should have made, the final and title track “Almost Here,” is one hell of a close out. The verse picks up instantly drawing you into the fast pace and anxious energy. Another moving breakdown, and then the grand finale in which the guitars punch with strength and Bill ironically reminds you, “Our time is almost/Our time is almost here.” Well Bill, you can put down your mic because I’m pretty sure your time is right about now.
There is no doubt that the music of The Academy Is will trigger references to other Chicago bands, the trademark sound is undeniable. And sure, the bouncy tunes and snappy vocals might have you thinking of Fall Out Boy or Taking Back Sunday, but The Academy Is have gone ahead and made a record as good as any of them. Having been a big fan of Bill’s previous project, Remember Maine, I knew I would enjoy this album on which Bill makes a counter-Chris Carraba transition. However, I can say without bias that this will go down as one of the best albums of 2005. You will be hard pressed to find something more clever, emotional, well done, and straight up rocking. |
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Displaying posts 1 - 8 of 8. |
06:23 AM on 01/06/06 | sorry garrett press but i think this cd doesn't have anything that hasn't already been done before. i'll admit these guys are good though. | | |
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07:21 AM on 01/06/06 | Originally Posted by Snapcase sorry garrett press but i think this cd doesn't have anything that hasn't already been done before. i'll admit these guys are good though. |
Hmmm I don't know dude, when this record was released in early 05, all those new Chicago bands hadn't emerged yet, Fall Out Boy hadn't put out their second record... there was nothing that sounded just like The Academy Is... at that point. So for a while, it was pretty much a stand-out record, until a dozen others followed suit. | | |
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12:01 PM on 01/06/06 | I agree with you. I love this CD. And I know there's other bands that sound similar, but that doesn't mean this CD isn't up to par. "Down and Out" and "The Phrase That Pays" are two of my faves. | | |
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01:15 AM on 01/09/06 | Jeff Withey: the Great White Hope Originally Posted by Garett Press However, I can say without bias that this will go down as one of the best albums of 2005. You will be hard pressed to find something more clever, emotional, well done, and straight up rocking. |
For me, it was topped only by Jack's Mannequin, but the fact that it was my album of the year from February until late August was damn impressive. Awesome live show too. | | |
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11:13 PM on 02/19/06 | William Becket has been doing his thing for years and its all been up hill from Remeber Maine (yeah thats right, remember maine bitches!!) till the academy is, hes just doing his thing and doing it damn well. | | |
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06:41 PM on 05/15/06 | Originally Posted by jfriday4 William Becket has been doing his thing for years and its all been up hill from Remeber Maine (yeah thats right, remember maine bitches!!) till the academy is, hes just doing his thing and doing it damn well. |
haha! <3 Remember Maine =D This is definately one of my favorite cds. | | |
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07:54 AM on 05/27/06 | I love every song on this album. The music, the lyrics, they touched me. I can relate so much to this album. | | |
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