Fast Times at Barrington High w/ The Academy Is…

There are few bands out there that have been able to give me the nostalgic feeling of my teen years, the new TAI album has officially achieved that. Their third release “Fast Times At Barrington High” brings a cleaner, poppier sound reminiscent of my teenage hay days of Blink-182, New Found Glory, etc. The album is a straight forward pop-punk album with a sprinkle of emo lyrics (that’s pretty much all William Beckett can write), but the difference this time is that it WORKS! It Pops! This is the first album release of the summer that I can honestly say is a full-fledged summer CD; unfortunately its release is at the end of summer 08. This third venture by the Chicago-based band is definitely a step above their sophomore effort “Santi” and showcases how the band has grown and how they’ve finally learned not to take themselves or the music they make so seriously. If this album is anything, it’s fun! The title of the album refers to the high school William Beckett and Adam Siska went to and each song involves one failed, tragic relationship or attempt at a relationship while in high school. Now on to the detailed review!!! OF COURSE!!

The first three tracks of the album prove that song placement sometimes makes a CD. All three songs were released or exposed as a potential single prior to the release of the album and all play very well one after the other. On “About A Girl” Beckett sings of failed attempts at pursuing the girl of his dreams. The chorus details the denial one has when coming to terms with love and heartache.. Beckett refrains from any swooning on this album and the first track highlights his ability to hit high high notes (with the help of auto-tuner). Great opener!

The first thing I noticed on “Summer Hair = Forever Young” is the driving drum rolls and high hat mutilation. Just fantastic! That’s how a song should start off, and the chorus is probably the catchiest this band has ever written. Playing off an old Eurythmics, Rod Stewart-ish lyric (Forever Young); Beckett is able to bring us all back to a time in High School when lines were drawn in the sand between cliques, friends, lovers and trysts. A great song reminding everyone to stay young, no matter how much facial hair you accumulate over the years!

“His Girl Friday” is a song about secret trysts and the damage that is usually caused by such ventures! Once again the verses play just to usher in the amazingly poppy chorus, which is catchy as pink eye at a strip club! I think this is the first song to sing the days of the week without officially boring the hell out of me. Kudos to the underlying message in the song and the honesty.

In “The Test” Beckett sings about the trials of falling in love with someone who isn’t into you; wanting someone and finding out that person wasn’t the person you created in your mind. This song ushers in a few slower songs that makeup the body of the album. Another potential single!

“Rumored Nights” is another song featuring the destructive nature of teens and their ability to disregard the feelings of others for their own sake and popularity. The song tells the story of a guy-girl friendship where the guy secretly loves the girl and she obviously has other men, things on her mind! A slower song compared to the first three tracks, this song definitely has radio play possibilities. Also, is that the lead singer to All American Rejects on the third verse???? Hard to tell…..

“Automatic Eyes” is a safety net song that fits well with the theme of the album.. asking the question.. did TAI aim at producing songs that played well together, or are they artistically handicapped? “Crowded Room” is a step away from the mundane and starts off with Gabe from Cobra Starship joining in on vocals. This song is pure fun and complete rock out!

“Coppertone” reminds me of the beach (hence the title).. this song reminds me of their first album Almost Here… a crafty guitar riff during the pre-chorus makes this song a standout of the songs that make up the meat of the album.

“After The Last Midtown Show” wreaks of Jack’s Mannequin.. and that may be because Andrew McMahon play keys to this ballad and had a hand in producing. The only real ballad of the album, the lyrics seem to play close to the heart of the band and screams volumes of the bands early days.

“Beware! Cougar!” is probably my least favorite song on the album, it might be that the shtick is beginning to wear off and I need a little more than just a bass line throughout the verse to keep my interest.

The last two songs of the album “Paper Chase” and “One More Weekend” could almost be the same song.. surprised they didn’t combine this to make it an interesting tempo changing 6 minute song. Regardless, I think this is a great way to end the album…neither song has any standout lyrics.. in fact the chorus lyrics almost sound the same. Both songs are basically just the chorus played over and over. These songs will get stuck in your head for sure!!!

Overall, I think as far as progression goes… The Academy Is.. have certainly grown as a pop-punk band. This is most definitely a step above Santi and shows the band is coming into their own. Having fun is one thing music is about and its great to hear an album that echoes that. The Academy Is… have been on the outskirts of the mainstream music scene and if this album doesn’t usher them in… then I think they’ve officially run out of tricks. I think Fueled By Ramen really needs to be smart in how they market them and which songs are going to be released and so forth. If you want to hear a great catchy pop-punk album to play during BBQs or to get a sense of nostalgia.. go for it!

[Rating:4/5]