How does it compare to the artist's other releases
Good
Value for Money
Good
Advantages:
good music, not a bad song on the album
Disadvantages:
-
Recommend to potential buyers:
yes
Full review
Another band that I have always liked for a long time and who have just recently a few weeks ago released their second album, are The Academy Is. I first heard of them just over a year back and listened to the album and really liked it. I then saw them live and thought they were great which made me an even bigger fan. They are on the same record label Fueled By Ramen as Paramore and Fall Out Boy, both bands I have reviewed their albums. The Academy Is have quite a relaxed indie sound, they are not in anyway heavy and the singer has such a soft voice that could never make them a really heavy rock band.
The Academy Is hail from Chicago like Fall Out Boy, it seems to be a city with quite a big music scene as I notice a lot of bands nowadays are coming from that city. William Beckett is the vocalist; Adam Siska is on the bass, Michael Guy Chislett on guitar, Andy Mrotek on drums and Mike Carden on guitar. William Beckett and Mike Carden grew up as rivals and didn't really see eye to eye. They both had separate bands but then William left his to take a more serious approach and was looking for someone with a similar view. Mike's band eventually broke up and the two spoke more and realised they shared the same music views and the rest is history.
TRACKLISTING 1. Attention 2. Season 3. Slow Down 4. The Phrase That Pays 5. Black Mamba 6. Skeptics & True Believers 7. Classifieds 8. Checkmarks 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 live. This song is about what they have had to go through to make it being in a van, worrying about petrol money but not complaining because they know it will turn out good in the end.
3. SLOW DOWN: I really like this song I feel it is a great ballad with a relaxed pace to it and it was a great single choice. This was the second single I think to be released from the album and at first it wasn't that great a song to me but once it had been played more it grew on me. It seems to just have a drum beat playing in the background with guitar lightly the singing is great in this song it's really strong against the music. I like the lyrics in this song too they fit in with everything and are clever. I like the bridge it moves to a fast rhythm which changes the song up a bit then the chorus is really powerful and gets louder and quicker. I think this song is about a relationship of being used by someone just for fame reasons. The video is nothing special it's them in some sort of Hollywood House which is being used as a film set while they play their instruments.
3. THE PHRASE THAT PAYS: I liked this song more, again, after it had become a single. This starts really quietly with the same guitar chord being strummed and singing over it which is really strong then the drums kick in. The song vocals seem to build up even more as more music joins in ands then the chorus gets loud and the singing seems more like shouting but then it breaks into a rhythm. I like the style of how the chorus is done the way there is such a build up it makes the first line really strong which I think is the idea. This song to me is about having a chance and taking a risk and going for it to make it big. In the video to this song the singer is in a hospital bed and then it flashes to them all playing in a band so I found it a bit strange.
SKEPTICS & TRUE BELIEVERS: This is probably my favourite song off the album. It just starts with singing then as usual the drum beat starts up, it is a very mid paced rhythm. The music is great and strong in this and when the chorus comes it's really catchy and quick and I always felt this should have been a single. I never listened to the song much then one day I did and I liked it instantly I really like the singing in this song it is sang with more emotion and the music all works well as a whole. This song to me seems to be about a relationship having to end because of ambition such as wanting to get this band started and the person not wanting them to leave and being selfish where as the one in the band wants to leave and wants them to let him go.
CLASSIFIEDS: I really like this song it has such a happy mood to it and is unique on this album. It has a quick drum rhythm to begin then the vocals begin and it is cleverly written like an advert for himself (William Beckett). "Attention bidders it's lot 45, he's got a decent voice he's got that crooked smile" show the idea of an auction as him writing himself as a classified. The chorus is really catchy and will stick in your head for days. I think this song is about people selling stories for money, so in other words the whole auction idea is the idea of being sold to the papers and people gaining money from what you have achieved.
CHECKMARKS: This was the first song to be released from the album and 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 want people to know about it. The video seems to be footage from them all trying to make it and it has a few live scenes but it isn't anything special.
I'd say this band has a sound which people who like all types of music could really like. I wouldn't know who to compare them to but they are definitely a band with great music and that have a great stage presence. To hear their music go to their Myspace page below and take a listen. They have a new album called 'Santi' out just now also. Their official website is http://www.theacademyis.com
The album 'Almost Here' is sold on Amazon for £4.97 which I think is the best deal online at the moment. You could also buy it from eBay I'm sure cheaper.
