Archive for the ‘The Academy Is...’ Category
Week In Review Aug 18 – Aug 24
Another week in the books and this week I’m happy to announce the additions of 3 new writers.
Ghalib shared his experience on Extermination Music Night – an event I eagerly want to go to now.
Carmen reviewed E.S.L.’s Eye Contact – impossible to search for this band. I love the Canadian content these guys are pitching in with.
Speak of Canadian, Adam (writes a blog The Edge 102.1) reviewed Kathleen’s Turner Overdrive E.P (too long so I’m lazy to write it/copy and paste it).
Other reviews:
The Rhumb Line by Ra Ra Riot* I gave it a 5/5 meaning it’s likely on my best of the year list.
Oceans Will Rise by The Stills
Asking For Flowers by Kathleen Edwards
Memory Drawings by The Drift
Rip It Off by Times New Viking
The Devil, You + Me by The Notwist
Feel Good Hits of A Nuclear Winter by Laurel Collective
Fast Times at Barrington High by The Academy Is…
Other:
Adrian covers the Cutting Edge Music Fest in the first of a two part series.
Some blogosphere commentary:
Please freakin stop with the Bloc Party hype. Even if you hate the bloc party or like them, I’m sick of tired about hearing about their latest single or whatever fucking opinion you have on their new album. At this point, I hope their album receives a 5.0 something from Pitchfork so the blogs can talk about some more meaningful music.
Okkervil River plans to have videos promoting their latest album. They have some performances the latest and probably the awesomemest is with AC Newman of the New Pornos taking over Jon Meiburg’s duties on vocals in a star studded duet that makes me drool (and potentially wet – I keep that secret) with Wil Sheff playing the new single Lost Coastlines. Watch below if you hate navigating.
TI released a new song. Didn’t listen to it.
The Walkmen’s You & Me scored an 8.5 from P4K. You may be seeing a review from us though probably not from me (I haven’t listen to their past albums and it wouldn’t be right).
An uneventful week for me. I struggled with sleeping issues and my knee is going to take another 6 weeks to heal (10 TOTAL) as I can’t do any sports that involves any twisting. That blows.
The Academy Is… – Fast Times at Barrington High
One of the hottest bands signed to Fueled By Ramen, The Academy Is… shocked fans last year with the release of Santi. Having adhered to a new style and a more matured sound, they did a really great job of changing things up without ever losing their touch. In just over a year they have already completed a third studio album, Fast Times at Barrington High and there is a lot of hype and pressure surrounding tomorrow’s release. Currently being streamed on their myspace, any fans can listen to the whole album before they decide to buy, but if you’re taste buds are anything like mine, you’ll be the first in line to snag a copy of this cd.
Let me begin by saying, this is definitely a different TAI, and I’m so impressed with the route they decided to go this time around. Although I wasn’t completely wowed as I was after listening to Santi the first time, I still thought this album was amazing. Slowing things down and keeping things mellow, they still have that feel good vibe transferred from Santi. There are highlights of really rugged rock that mesh well with the softer themes throughout the album and it was an incredible listen. The first track, About a Girl has that really laid back rock feel reminiscent of UK bands from the 90s. With groovy guitars and a heart warming chorus, it’s a slow but stunning rock ballad. The vocals are as sharp as ever, and William’s soft sound matches perfectly with the summer oriented album of Fast Times at Barrington High.
Skipping to the third track, listeners will hear influences of The Cure shining through. His Girl Friday, is a song ready to put TAI back on the map (as if they weren’t already), with its overly catchy, but genuine chorus, it is a song that TAI will be remembered for. The verse, again, is just a simple feel good melody, but the chorus makes the song so beautiful and passionate. With clever lines and an admirable high school wit, it not only adheres to the teens out there, but for the young adults such as myself. A really chilling song, it has an easy listening quality to it, but is also high in musical quality as well. Everything from the instruments to the vocals worked well and made for a very nice listen. Touching, rocking, groovy, passionate, it can be described with every which adjective, and is perhaps my favourite from the album.
Songs that had less of that power pop and more of the modern rock TAI has done before includes Crowded Room, Coppertone, and One More Weekend. The vocals are very powerful in these songs, and the general pace is a bit harder. After The Last Midnight Show is the slowest track and is almost reminiscent of Brand New, but a lot more poppy. With glimpses of the dance rock, melodic power pop, and everything in between, TAI has done it again. Fast Times at Barrington High is a must buy for me, and I will definitely be purchasing this album tomorrow. With the three really solid and completely different albums, TAI is definitely one of the hottest bands to hit the mainstream. If I had to rate this album I’d give it a 4/5, only because I know their next album will be even better.
Check out their Myspace for official tour dates and to stream Fast Times at Barrington High in its entirety.
Reading Week Withdrawal
Hey guys, I’m swamped with midterms this week, so I decided to do a mixlist. This is for those of you just starting your reading week, it’s a mix of songs about friends, partying and generally having a good time. So for those of you on break, raise your glasses and enjoy. Cheers.
1. The Postal Service – Sleeping In
It’s always nice to wake up in the afternoon, especially after a night of partying.
2. The Academy Is… – Neighbors
If the neighbours call the cops, you know it was a hell of a party.
3. The Rocket Summer – Brat Pack
Enjoy the time off with your brat pack.
4. The Audition – Warm Me Up
Remember to stretch before you hit the clubs, and after because you never know where the night will take you.
5. The Cab – Drunk Love
Self explanatory…..
6. A Change of Pace – Weekend Warriors
“This can’t last forever. Raise a glass together. Doesn’t get much better. No better than this.”
7. October Fall – Hey Hey
“Hey hey, old friend, I think it’s been too long. Grab the guitar lets sit around, and play our favorite song.”
8. Metrostation – Seventeen Forever
Remember when we were seventeen and school didn’t matter?
9. Boys Like Girls – The Great Escape
Let this opportunity be your great escape from whatever.
10. Cobra Starship – Send My Love To The Dancefloor, I’ll See You In Hell
Follow their lead, “We’re gonna bury this town tonight. We’re gonna dance all night”
PS. For those Americans in the audience, refer to this post in March.
