Almost Here - Academy Is (The)

Advantages: All ten tracks are exceptional.
Disadvantages: The album only lasts for half an hour.

The Academy Is... are a Rock band from Chicago signed to the Fueled By Ramen record label. Originally named 'The Academy', the band changed their name for legal reasons in 2004 to avoid issues with other bands already using the name. Their début album 'Almost Here' was released in 2005 and is predominantly I would say a Pop Punk album. The album consists of ten tracks, each of which I consider to be exceptionally strong and highly infectious. When ...
...played artist each week for several months, and I still continue to listen to this album from the band whenever possible. I find this album strangely fascinating and could happily sit there with the album on repeat and listen to it all day, when listening to the 'Almost Here' album I just seem to go into my own little bubble where its just me and the music. Clocking in at just over half an hour in length, the 'Almost Here' album is not exactly what ... Read review

Advantages: good music, not a bad song on the album
Disadvantages: -

...9. Down And Out 10. Almost Here 2. SEASON: Skipping the first song I thought I'd go right onto this song. Season is the first song I heard from this album and was what got me into the band. However, after hearing the whole album this song isn't really like many other songs on the album. It starts off with a quiet drum beat and guitar then the vocals then it moves into a steady pace, the chorus becomes more livelier and it is a big sing-along when ...
...I did like this song almost right away. I'd say this song has more of a pop feel to it but it's still a great song. This song starts right away which is great and the pace is quick but the vocals are a bit shouty which isn't too great but it does fit the music. It's another catchy song and the chorus is loud and definitely stands out. This song to me is about being used about someone who sleeps with people in bands just for the sake of it but doesn't ... Read review

Advantages: Very much the "in" style,
Disadvantages: Sound similar to other bands around

I was recently introduced to the world of "The Academy Is..." when I saw them play support to Fall Out Boy in May, and if there's one important thing I feel I have to say in this review, it is that at times it can be difficult to distinguish between the two. "The Academy Is..." is just one of a number of American punk rock/emo bands who are recently coming into the spotlight over here in the UK, falling under the same category as the afore mentioned ...
...Disco, and after seeing them at Brixton I decided to give this album a chance. To me it seems like a bit of a mixed product; some of the songs just seem a little plain, nothing much happens, and you're left with a nasty feeling of emptiness, as if there was more to offer but they 're holding back (either inadvertantly or through design)......while other songs show the potential that exists. Opening track "Attention", although not exactly adventurous, ... Read review

Advantages: catchy! better than the other albums.
Disadvantages: only ten tracks!

...9. Down And Out 10. Almost Here This album is exceptionally good and one of the few albums i can actually listen to without getting annoyed at the songs and losing interest. The type of song and rhythm gets a bit samey but if you like kind of "emo" music and a catchy voice then this is good. I would definitely recommend it, I really enjoyed listening to it. My favourite song on it is probably "skeptics and true believers". It's catchy, fast and ...
...and slow down, though slow down bored me quickly. I think the only letdown on the album is "down and out", and that's really because i like faster songs and it's slow compared to the rest of the album. I like the fact that some of the songs on this album actually have meaning like attention is kind of sweet, and season is about the music industry. Overall a good album and I'd definitely recommend buying it, it's value for money. ... Read review