The Academy Is...

If you ever want to take a trip back to high school, The Academy Is…'s latest album Fast Times at Barrington High is a sonic Delorian ready to hit 88 mph. For those you born in the '90s, that's how Michael J. Fox went back in time during the '80s—watch some YouTube clips of Back to the Future if you don't know. On their third album, the emo quintet fully shed <Santi's heavier leanings, replacing the jagged crunch with palatable pop rock. Melody is the Principal of Barrington High, and that makes for a very catchy, and at times, undeniable record.

The Academy Is… have evolved immensely, delving into slower fare like "After the Last Midtown Show" with much success. The song highlights vocalist William Beckett's dynamic range, and it allows him to flex his talents more than ever. His voice simply soars over the song's smooth riffs and soulful backbeat. The first single, "About Girl," brandishes a massive hook, and even though it evokes Fall Out Boy, it possesses a melodically mischievous personal flair that's utterly refreshing. "His Girl Friday" segues between another huge chorus and a hypnotic little verse. Touting a pervasive high school theme, the album definitely speaks to the MySpace kids. It covers girls, graduation, friendships and well, more girls.

The album's buoyant melodies and whimsical vibe definitely draw more from classic '80s high school flicks than anything else. Of course it hearkens back to Sixteen Candles, Fast Time at Ridgemont High and Risky Business. Those films had a timeless charm, and that charm does peak through on "Paper Chase" and "One More Weekend." Barrington definitely does a great job of bringing high school back— minus the swirlies and prom night heartbreak.

—Rick Florino
08.29.08

For half a decade, the Academy Is... watched from the sidelines as Fall Out Boy became the Midwestern kings of emo. Fast Times at Barrington High makes a well-deserved grab for the crown, flaunting a combination of rock & roll bombast and pop-schooled songwriting. It's albums like this that challenge the definition of emo, an amorphous genre whose current bands sound little like their 20th century ancestors. There's no whining here, no heart-wrenching lyrics, and few indications that William Beckett's group is anything but an energetic pop/rock outfit. So while Fast Times pushes the Academy Is... into the upper echelon of emo bands, it also challenges the genre's entire composition, making it one of the most interesting emo-related albums since Jack's Mannequin's Everything in Transit.

Of course, it's hard to tell how much credit belongs to Beckett, whose vocals and songwriting skills have nicely progressed since the band's debut, and which accolades go to Sam Hollander and Dave Katz, the production team otherwise known as S*A*M & Sluggo. Perhaps it's no coincidence that the album's first six songs, all written with the duo's help, are also the most radio-ready pop numbers here. "Summer Hair = Forever Young" is a fist-pumping declaration to youth and warm weather, while "His Girl Friday" -- the undisputed highlight of side A -- boasts the sort of muscled, sugary chorus found on albums by Motion City Soundtrack and Jimmy Eat World. The mood changes slightly during the album's latter half, where Beckett takes over the songwriting reigns and steers his band closer to the rock camp. "Beware! Cougar!" is a particular highlight, while "After the Last Midtown Show" pays tribute to Gabe Saporta's former band with piano flourishes and vocal harmonies. Fast Times at Barrington High doesn't go to the hoop with every song, but it scores more than enough points to make it a career highlight, not to mention one of the best emo albums (whatever that means) of 2008. ~ Andrew Leahey, All Music Guide