... 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 the album was released, The Academy Is.. were my most played artist each ... Read review
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 ... more
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 the album was released, The Academy Is.. were my most 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 I would consider to be lengthy, however what it lacks in minutes it more than makes up for in merit. Each track individually is a masterpiece, and none of them fail to have me singing along. Front man William Beckett has a brilliant voice; softly spoken yet poignant and powerful. The lyrics are spoken with real feeling and when listening to the music you get a real sense that the band are completely genuine. They love the music that they are making and this is something that comes across strongly in their sound.
With 'Almost Here', every track is a highlight and all ten of those present are well worth your while listening to. Not a single one disappoints, and if you enjoy a good bit of Pop Punk then you should absolutely love this album. Tracks such as 'Slow Down', 'Attention', 'Checkmarks', and 'Black Mamba' are essential listening and really are crying out to be heard by all. Their passion for the music comes across not only in the voice but in the lyrics also, a declaratory statement in 'Black Mamba' for example of 'Oh, Mr. Magazine - I never wrote one single thing for you' summing up nicely just how little their music is made for media consumption, Beckett also stating that if you don't like his voice then you can 'Take a long walk off of the shortest pier you can find'. Love them or lump them, The Academy Is... are going to keep recording the music they love to make no matter what people in certain media quarters may think and regardless of how much certain members of the general public may hate their sound.
The vocals of William Beckett are what make this band so great to listen to. I love his vocal tone and find his harmonies to be utterly encapsulating. I'm not ignoring the instrumental impact of the band as this is immense, however the vocals provide perfection. The instrumental side of the music is often a magical backdrop for the vocal performance of William Beckett and the majority of the time it is his vocal performance that takes the lead whilst the instrumental element takes a back seat. When listening to The Academy Is... I often neglect to listen to their instrumental performance, however when I close my ears to the vocals and just listen to them, still I gain great aural satisfaction.
I feel the 'Almost Here' album from the band is probably one of the best I have heard in recent years. Certainly no other album has grabbed me quite like this one lately anyway; it can take a lot to please me musically, however The Academy Is... just seem to press all the right buttons here and have recorded one of my favourite albums of all time. Their music possesses great energy and a strong zest for life, something which also comes across with their live shows when the band are visibly putting their all into their performance and as a result putting on the show of a lifetime. The music of The Academy Is... is well worth listening to, and for that reason I strongly suggest you check them out if you get the opportunity to. I'd find it hard to understand how anyone could possibly dislike this music, 'Almost Here' is an album which borders upon perfection.
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 ...
ms19 17.04.2007
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Almost Here - Academy Is (The)
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, ...
bluebobski 01.06.2006
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Almost Here - Academy Is (The)
Advantages: album of the moment Disadvantages: up-and-coming band, show sold out before i could get tickets!
This band hailing from Chicago is selling out shows across the UK before they debut album has even been released. While remaining under the radar in the mainstream media, they have amassed a vast following via the internet. Thier debut album demonstrates a maturity beyond their years and will be loved by followers of the emo/rock/alternative genres as well as those with tastes outside the circle.
The album starts with 'Attention' which introduces ... ...a combination of softness and raw emotion in his singing. 'Season' continues in the same style "I'll sing you something you won't forget\ for the first time I know this is now who I am" and will stay in your head.
The high point of the album for me was 'Slow down', which starts gently then bursts into the passionate chorus "take back everything you ever said\ you never meant a word of it\ you never did..."
'The phrase that pays' has a sweet desperation ...
mallikab 21.01.2006
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Almost Here - Academy Is (The)
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. ...
bambamsophz 18.03.2008
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Almost Here - Academy Is (The)
Product Information for "Almost Here - Academy Is (The)" »
Product details
Title
Almost Here
Performer
Academy Is (The)
Genre
Rock & Pop
Sub Genre
Punk Rock
Release Date
06/02/2006, 21/02/2005
Recomended Retail Price
10.99, 15.99 GBP
Label / Distributor
Fueled By Ramen/Atlantic / Cinram Logistics, Fueled By Ramen / Plastic Head
Engineer
James Wisner, James Paul Wisner
Producer
James Wisner, James Paul Wisner
Pieces in Set
1
Studio / Live
Studio
Format
Performer
Original Release Year
2005
EAN
5051011228827, 645131207128
Stereo
Stereo
Catalogue Number
5101122882
Titles on disc 1
1.
Attention
2.
Season
3.
Slow Down
4.
Phrase That Pays
5.
Black Mamba
6.
Skeptics And True Believers
7.
Classifieds
8.
Checkmarks
9.
Down And Out
10.
Almost Here
Additional notes
Album Notes
The Academy Is...: William Beckett (vocals); Michael Carden, Thomas Conrad (guitar); Adam Siska (bass instrument); Andy Mrotek (drums). Recording information: The Dungeon, Miami, Florida.
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Listed on Ciao since
01/06/2006
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