Genre: Pop, Indie, Pop Rock
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Rating: 10/10
The Academy Is… first full length album Almost Here, released in February of 2005 was the band’s debut on their current label-Fueled by Ramen. Almost Here is an epic 10 song album. I hesitate to even call them songs, because Michael Carden (Guitar) and William Beckett (Lead Vocals) lyrics are deeper than Mariana’s Trench.
The opening track “Attention, Attention” starts off with a soft riff by Carden overlaying Beckett’s muffled voice, but quickly turns into the catchy pop-rock/emo that the rest of the album exudes. Tom Conrad (guitar) adds not only perfect complimentary backup vocals, but also compliments Carden’s lead guitar nicely. Andy “The Butcher” Mrotek’s flawless drumming adds to the beauty of this song.
The third installment on Almost Here is my personal favorite track. Entitled “Slow Down” this track unleashes TAI’s full potential. Carden and Beckett’s lyrics start off stunningly with the lines; “Close the door and take the stairs, up or down; ups and downs. And don’t pretend you’ve never been there…you kiss me like an over dramatic actor, who’s starving for work…” You can almost feel the emotion bleeding from the song as it plays through. Becketts vocals soar above the guitars of Carden and Conrad, Adam Siska’s bass, and The Butchers tight drumming. Conrad’s voice flies perfectly below Becketts through the entire song, making you almost forget the incredible job they are doing on their instruments.
Upon first listen to the album, I remember thinking there was no way that they could follow up a song like “Slow Down”. I was thrilled to be proven wrong, however. Track eight, which bears the name “Checkmarks” comes in a close second to “Slow Down”. It starts off very similar to “Attention” but is much more powerful, not only lyrically but musically as well. The Butcher’s drumming is absolutely brutal throughout the song, and they lyrics are probably the darkest of any throughout the album.
The final two songs “Down and Out” and “Almost Here” conclude the album perfectly. All ten songs flow perfectly into one another, and any pop-punk, pop-rock, indie, or emo fan would appreciate Almost Here, and there are lyrics anyone can relate to as well. I do hesitate to use the word “emo” because of the negative connotations that come with it. When you listen to this album, don’t go in thinking Hawthorne Heights-its miles above that. So don’t let their emo reputation scare you away; give this album and a chance, and maybe you’ll soar as high as Williams vocals.
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