Fast times at Barrington High, makes you want to go back to those high school days, where things were simple and life wasn't as complicated as being an adult. When I heard The Academy Is was releasing a new album, I was excited about it, their last release Santi blew me way and had me bouncing around and just enjoying some great music. I wasn't exactly sure what to expect with this album. Seeing them on Warped Tour they gave everyone a small sampler of what we were to look foward to, and I had really enjoyed what I heard. So on August 19th, I made my way to HMV and got myself a copy of the new release (mind you it was the only copy in three HMV stores that I went to). The lead of single is really enjoyable, Summer Hair=Forever Young. It is very catchy and shows a growth in William Beckett's voice that had not been heard on the previous release. His voice shows a little bit more depth to it, even the live show (especially at Warped) showed a growth in their perfomance side. THe first time I had seen them live was in November of last year when they made a Toronto stop, and it was amazing then and improvement has only been made. But i'm getting myself sidetracked really.

The lead off track on the album is very poppy and catchy, About a Girl, is a poppy ballad type, that has your toe tapping. It is a perfect lead off track into the rest of the album. The album, over all is a great mix of The Academy is sound. Again, as I said before the songs show the vocal growth of Beckett. I have heard from a few people that they aren't impressed with the direction the band has taken. However, I disagree, each band wants to be able to grow and change and not be stuck in the same preverbal rut that some bands get stuck in. I believe that this album is that for TAI, its a break for them from Almost Here and Santi, and shows that they can grow within themselves without losing the sound that they have come to cultivate over their years together. What is enjoyable is 'After a Midtown Show', which features Andrew McMahon on piano, its a very soft song, which makes you sway slightly and just relax. I found myself closing my eyes and just absorbing the melody, piano and soft sound. Of course you also have apperances of members of CObra Starship on the album. You can still hear in each song the sound that we have grown acustom to hearing from TAI, with the help of producers S*A*M and Sluggo, it sounds fresher and more alive with that refined edge to it. Though I keep referring to the fact that Beckett's voice is more mature, this album in a sense is still young and carefree and helping you step from those teenage years into the world of being an adult.

Overall, I reccomend you going out and purchasing this album if you are a TAI fan, or even if you like the pop/rock scene. GO. BUY IT. Because I said so ;]