Academy Is, The - Fast Times at Barrington High

[Julia Conny]

The Academy Is... - Fast Times at Barrington High
Release Date: August 19th, 2008
Record Label: Decaydance/Fueled By Ramen

On The Academy Is' third full-length, the band throws back to those high school years. Fast Times at Barrington High works like a balance between of self-actualization, having fun and more importantly, reminiscing. Barrington, where singer William Beckett and bassist Adam Siska gloriously attended, is the guest star. It's ... cute. Charming, even. But what it isn't is a natural transition or even a step forward from Santi, the band's more moody, ballady and new wave sophomore release. And I liked Santi. Like a five-year reunion, or spending the holidays at home, it can be awkward. Charming, still, but awkward.

The album opens up with "About a Girl", which is, appropriately, about a girl. It's more than a fitting opener because it captures a theme that The Academy Is... would like to stress until they've broken their pencil tips - naivety and young love. High school love. Love for leaving town. Love to skip class. Sigh. Fast Times goes down like a root beer float. The next track, "Summer Hair Forever Young" is the same medicine. I'll never let you go, don't ever forget. Tell me you're remember, forever young. I'll never let you fall, It's not over yet. So, if you haven't dug up your memory box yet, maybe some old love notes or at least your yearbook, this song should do it. Or definitely "His Girl Friday". I'm three tracks in and I've already tired of hearing about high school. I'm not bitter, just untouched, which is to say that there is a major market of teens that could fall in love with Fast Times.

The issue here is not just that The Academy Is is lyrically overextending an already overextended concept. Musically, Fast Times is riding the shimmery pop that you'd expect to bounce around the hallways of any suburban academic institution. Beckett's vocals are stretched and unnatural for the first four tracks. The hooks are the same. It comes off strained, like some older dudes that had been out of high school for years decided to write an album about what we all wished high school was actually like. I spent weekends at debate tournaments, not in She's All That or that Melissa Joan Hart movie. If William Beckett wasn't such a heartthrob, Fast Times would be creepy.

But the tide changes on "Rumored Nights", a softer proclamation to a girl who's got some secrets in her locker. The gentle melody is fetching, and Beckett's pattern of verse incorporate nicely into the rhythm. A few tracks later, and "Coppertone" works with the same clever assimilation, although this track is probably the closest to anything off Almost Here. These two tracks show the band's progression, and rock solid production, but they're too far between on an album of 12. "Crowded Room" may be the catchiest of the bunch. "After The Last Midtown Show" is careful to sound earnest, which lyrically it does, albeit being somewhat boring. A riff on "Beware Cougar", several references to Beckett spending afternoons on his back, and "Paper Chase", which is the obligatory graduation tune, and the rest of the album is a quick wrap up. It ends as fast as it started. A memory in the wind...

AP.net Profile (http://www.absolutepunk.net/theacademyis) | Myspace (http://www.myspace.com/theacademyis)

[tipoftheiceberg]

good review, but i disagree
Santi was good but it was one of those albums that i had to skip a few tracks
Fast Times keeps me entertained and singing along the whole way through
but then again, i am going into my senior year of high school this month so that might have something to do with that

and FIRST

[dru]

Really good review, I agree completely with it. The album wasn't really a flop; more like a radio-friendly pop summer record with some solid tracks.

[Blake Solomon]

I REALLY like "About A Girl" "His Girl Friday", "Coppertone" and "After the Last Midtown Show." Will they ever hit like on Almost Here? Probably not, and I agree it may be a bit too late for their high-school record, but this still has enough hooks that get stuck in my head to make me happy with the overall effort.

[Young Machetes]

See.... I agree for the most part with the review, but I feel the score should have been in the 70's.

Santi was the progression that TAI needed, badly. This album... I don't know, I like it a lot, but I know it's missing something. I don't know how the staying power will be, since I can still listen to Almost Here and Santi without being bored.

Great review nonetheless.

[PunkDrums182]

I miss almost here. I used to love that cd.

[Jeremy Aaron]

I like the album musically, but the subject matter is definitely a little played. Good review.

Also, the label is stupid if they don't send "Automatic Eyes" to radio. That's a surefire hit single.

[pleasegoodmusic]

nativity?

[heartspelunker]

i think people who are expecting solid progression need to remember that 2/5 of the band is no longer the same from almost here.

i'm wicked surprised at the high lyrics rating (by reviewer and users). i'll admit that this cd is very catchy though, bits have been stuck in my head for days.

[EmotionalJack]

Maybe I liked this album more because I'm only 17 and I'm still at high school but, sincerelly I agree with the review, some tracks seem too identical to each other that Fast times at barrington high finish to be only a summery pop-punk record. As well, tracks like "Summer Hair = Forever Young" and "One More Weekend" are enjoyable sing-alongs for good memories. By the way it's a solid record (that goes down smoothly) with some instantly-stuck-in-your-head melodies.
Good review, Julia.

[Blake Solomon]

maybe it's just me, but with a band like TAI, I could care less about progression.

[mallyland]

Very very very well-written review. I also think it's accurate description of the album. Major props on your writing skills, Julia.

[tragedyco]

Cocaine's a hell of a drug.

[Kbm600]

"Summer Hair", "Cougar", "Rumored Nights", "And His Girl Friday" are excellent. It doesn't match Santi. But Fast Times is my favorite pop release (Haven't heard Valencia, don't shoot me) of the year so far. It's simple, it's likable. That's what I want at the moment, and that's what I got. I heard most of this at the beach, which was perfect. Despite the high school lyrics, the music has really been upped. I like the riffs on most of the tracks. TAI impressed me with this. I was expecting not to like it. Good review though. You hit most of it right on the mark.

[mallyland]

maybe it's just me, but with a band like TAI, I could care less about progression.

Yeah. Honestly, it's TAI--I don't expect that much from them.

[pand75]

I'm extremely new to this band and I actually went out and bought this CD for 10 bucks and it's not that bad, but it's nothing special.

[gonfreaks]

Great review. Been listening to this album a lot, but I still think it's terrible. Rumored Nights and Coppertone are really the only two tracks I like. I had high hopes that this album would bring TAI back to their Almost Here days, but they only continue to get worse with every release. I'm almost afraid to see what they do with their next release.

[Young Machetes]

maybe it's just me, but with a band like TAI, I could care less about progression.

Haha. Touche Mister Blake.

I think that most of these poppy albums are being bashed by everyone for not being "unique" and "creative" when the entire genre is just to be enjoyed for the music that it is. It's not really thought-provoking, at least for me it's meant to be blasted while driving down the road.

[refgirl23]

Good Review. Coppertone is one of my favorites. Automatic Eyes and Crowded Room are good too.

I find it mildly amusing that Beware, Cougar! is what gets stuck in my head though.

[Kill_the_radio]

I really like how this is written, but i totally disagree with the score... :-(

[bailmeout13]

Good review, haven't gotten around to listening to the album yet.

[zachff]

I enjoy Paper Chase, but that's about it. But still overall I find it much more enjoyable than Santi.

[Julia Conny]

nativity?

Hahaha. Funniest mistake I've ever made.

Me: Oops. Nativity refers to the birth of Christ. What was I thinking?
Roommate: Well, William is kind of like Jesus.

[Julia Conny]

See.... I agree for the most part with the review, but I feel the score should have been in the 70's.

Santi was the progression that TAI needed, badly. This album... I don't know, I like it a lot, but I know it's missing something. I don't know how the staying power will be, since I can still listen to Almost Here and Santi without being bored.

Great review nonetheless.

Definitely agree about Santi. It's like the decided to take a step backwards, and I've already been warmed up to this new wave, slightly experimental Santi-TAI.

i think people who are expecting solid progression need to remember that 2/5 of the band is no longer the same from almost here.

They can still progress though. That's what musicians should do, ya know? The subject matter is a cop-out.

[Julia Conny]

maybe it's just me, but with a band like TAI, I could care less about progression.

Good point, but after Santi, it's what I was expecting. And I really dug that album.

Very very very well-written review. I also think it's accurate description of the album. Major props on your writing skills, Julia.

Thank you!

[rocktwin22]

Haha, maybe that's why I don't like this album as much as I liked Santi because high school was not that great for me, and definitely don't want to relive it. So with a high school themed album like this one, I could care less. Good review.

[sunsetxshootout]

maybe it's just me, but with a band like TAI, I could care less about progression.

Haha, I am in complete accordance. I feel more comfortable listening to Almost Here and Fast Times than I do listening to Santi; I don't take them as a serious, dark sort of band.

[alltimecam]

i didnt end up really liking any of the songs on the cd its not bad
but i wouldnt end up listening to it really

[CheChe1455]

good review.. I would of been a bit more harsh on lyrics..
no originality whatsoever, too many cliches.

[pleasegoodmusic]

Hahaha. Funniest mistake I've ever made.

Me: Oops. Nativity refers to the birth of Christ. What was I thinking?
Roommate: Well, William is kind of like Jesus.

I think "Naivety" is the word you're looking for. Nice review by the way.

[ilovesofie]

It deserves more than 68%. It's a decent summer-record and it's catchy as hell. I think it's at the same level as Hit The Lights new record. Maybe even a little better.

[Ailite]

I love "After The Last Midtown Show" but the rest is pretty boring.

[Gin]

After maybe 4 or 5 playthroughs today I´m extremly addicted to the song "Paper Chase"!!!!
Easily the best song on that CD, its just amazing :D

[sargentlgfuad]

i have to strongly agree with the production.
maybe even knock it down a few points, in my book.
it was done very, very bad.
ruined the album for me, even though the album itself isn't bad

[becauseyouwant2]

It is good for what it is...

...and that is music that is going to played in movie trailers and on the televisions at American Eagle constantly.

Don't get me wrong, that isn't necessarily a bad thing (if you are into stuff like that). I can still find some enjoyment in it.

[Bovasaur]

I enjoy "after the last midtown show," and this is a light poppy album I can run to, but its a horrible step backwards for them.

[Chris Fallon]

I don't even feel like this album is the band who recorded Almost Here - and definitely not the band who recorded Santi - it's all very watered-down and boring. I feel like the label talked them into making a marketable sound, even though they were headed in the right direction.

Not one song strikes me - I am just so bummed this album completely lacks motivation. It's lazy and fluffy. Regardless, you nailed it Jules - as always, awesome review. I love it.

[fran.182]

Catchy but generic...still good for some listenings

[derek_8]

there was no song that really stood out to me on this record.. about halfway through the songs started to run together i felt. not a fan of the lyrics either.

[hockeyguitar99]

I like this album, but it's sort of mindless pop.

[Moral_Orel]

good review, but i disagree
Santi was good but it was one of those albums that i had to skip a few tracks
Fast Times keeps me entertained and singing along the whole way through
but then again, i am going into my senior year of high school this month so that might have something to do with that

and FIRST


You're sixteen so it would appeal to you in that matter. No offense but thats the point I believe he's trying to convey.

[Drew Beringer]

I have to lol at that you put them under label Decaydance and FBR, when they really are on Atlantic too.

[Julia Conny]

I don't even feel like this album is the band who recorded Almost Here - and definitely not the band who recorded Santi - it's all very watered-down and boring. I feel like the label talked them into making a marketable sound, even though they were headed in the right direction.

Not one song strikes me - I am just so bummed this album completely lacks motivation. It's lazy and fluffy. Regardless, you nailed it Jules - as always, awesome review. I love it.

I hear them somewhere in the album, but it mostly lacks innovation, which they at least tried on Santi.

[arson]

after a few listens, I've decided this record is just average.
I agree with the review, it wasn't a step up from Santi, it felt more like a step back. But it's still a good, catchy record. "One More Weekend" is my favorite track.

[SteveD]

Cocaine's a hell of a drug.

I'm actually laughing really loud hahahaha

[Julia Conny]

I have to lol at that you put them under label Decaydance and FBR, when they really are on Atlantic too.

Haha, true! It's all essentially the same label. :-d

[wileythekid]

I was dissapointed by the generic direction they went in. I think they should have kept the sound from santi instead of trying to recreate almost here.

[weworemasks]

great review. boring album. i like a handful of songs, but they all seem to run together. and i fucking loved santi.

[atticusfinch]

Good review, Julia. I feel quite similar actually. The one thing I don't like about this album is how forgettable it is.

It's fun, but I'd preferred it be released earlier in the summer, not at the end.

Ultimately, I'll move on to better things after a few more spins.

[tragedyco]

Well said Julia... right on. This is a step backwards from a (more so) exciting progression in Santi, in my opinion.

Are they big enough to call them sell outs? I guess not since this will likely sell less than their previous two albums. :shrug:

[katieissweet]

When I first heard this I did not like it at all. It's growing on me thought. I really like "The Test" "Rumored Nights" and "After The Last Midtown Show".

[iAMhollyood315]

its been coming to the point where all my favorite bands are releasing albums i do not enjoy half as much as i should. i'm either not changing with the music or the music is not as good. the only 2 bands to release cd's that blew me over the top is Every time i die and soon to be underoath. as for TAI...? i think this release will have to grow on me.

[tragedyco]

I'm actually laughing really loud hahahaha

hahahah.

[caLLmEnOoNe]

i expected something better.

[Chris Fallon]

I hear them somewhere in the album, but it mostly lacks innovation, which they at least tried on Santi.
I think they were on the right track with Santi. Granted, a lot of people weren't crazy about it but I enjoyed what it offered. It was simply different than their peers - now all they have done here is blend right in with them. I just don't like it at all.

[hummyskys]

I miss almost here. I used to love that cd.
why not now?

[vandalroyale]

I don't even feel like this album is the band who recorded Almost Here - and definitely not the band who recorded Santi - it's all very watered-down and boring. I feel like the label talked them into making a marketable sound, even though they were headed in the right direction.

Not one song strikes me - I am just so bummed this album completely lacks motivation. It's lazy and fluffy. Regardless, you nailed it Jules - as always, awesome review. I love it.
I still only own Almost Here...can't get in to much else from them unfortunately

[Luke_McCain]

this album is great.

yes, i could do without the high school concept, but the songs are WAY better than anything off Santi.

[alistaire]

Kind of a cruel review, but sadly not wholly undeserved. Your points about the lyrics are unfortunately spot-on. I disagree with the people on this board who found lots of hooks on this album; it's all a bit stale to me.

As I view the history of tai, Almost Here seems to be the almost universally loved debut that was simply impossible to follow up. The only real option was to frankly sell out and make a hugely commercial made-for-radio record. This is exactly what FOB did; Take This to Your Grave was the exact parallel of Almost Here: an outstanding debut full-length. FOB's subsequent records are still good, but undeniably commercial. TAI knew that this was really their only option for a second album, but to their credit, they tried to do pop in a new way, which shows: the lyrics on Santi are excellent, and anything but cliché (e.g. "Bulls in Brooklyn"). The problem, then, came with their newly pop-ized sound, which as far as I can tell came largely from the producer of the album (whose name is escaping me at the moment). It's a much less indy, less emo, more manufactured, big pop sort of sound, which is love it or hate it, which gives Santi it's contested status among fans.

TAI clearly recognized the call for a return to Almost Here in this new album. To me, the sound of Fast Times is anything but pop: if anything, it's more straight rock-like. No, I found how to describe it when looking at the track list; "After the Last Midtown Show" is, to me, a clear appeal to the throngs of leftover Midtown fans who seem ever-present at absolutepunk. It is straight out of 2004 (yes, it was only four years ago), with the dawn of the emo movement: strong rock licks (Midtown), not much over-manufactured sound (Metro Station), and an appeal to the high school crowd (FOB). The problem is that in 2008, these songs sound generic and cliché, because in the intervening years, we've seen a preponderance of Midtown-imitating emo/pop-punk bands, so we're now searching for the one-offs that offer something a little bit different: Metro Station (though to me it's a bit of a hellogoodbye copycat), The Cab, The Maine, Cute is What We Aim For, even AVA back when they were cool.

So I do not want to say that Fast Times is a bad record per se, just that it's a bit...dated. What really kills it, though, is that it's missing that spark from those records like Almost Here or Take This to Your Grave which comes from the combination of witty, inventive lyrics (still there on Santi, sadly gone here) with that authentic, unmanufactured sound that 2004 emo-punk was aiming for (gone on Santi, back here, but with less of that inventive edginess of TAI and more of the generic Midtown fan–I've never been a huge Midtown fan, if you can't tell). If TAI comes out with another record, I truly hope that they can finally get to here (beyond the cusp they've been on for four years) without losing the spark of almost.

[MJB12]

I love the album, except for the last few tracks. "Paper Chase" and "One More Weekend" are both easily forgettable. But songs like "His Girl Friday", "Automatic Eyes" and "Crowded Room" are great.

[waterxdamage]

Great review, but I enjoyed the album more then you did.
But that would make a whole lotta sense, since I'm entering my third year of high school.
I definitely understand the letdown to an older audience and the appeal for the high school crowd.

[blimpcityhero11]

maybe it's just me, but with a band like TAI, I could care less about progression.

I agree, but I feel like the songs on the new record are so bland. Almost Here was their best album over all because it has that lasting appeal due to the catchiness of the record. However, I think Santi was more diverse from song to song and better lyrically. While progression isn't necessarily what I'd be looking from in this band either, this album feels like a let down.

[Coverbydesign]

I love the new stuff..Sounds way better then that train wreck of a cd named Santi.I have been playing the new TAI cd for a good three days straight. Its one of those cds I can play and not have to press the skip button. Same goes for the new anberlin cd. Both are both skip botton free cds.

[youwithoutMe]

good review, the album is not very good. i liked Almost There and not much since so it's the proper score in my opinion. many of the reviews i've read lately bands are getting a good score because they got sent the person a copy of the cd early so they hook them up with a good score, it's nice to see the truth once in a while

[Julia Conny]

I think they were on the right track with Santi. Granted, a lot of people weren't crazy about it but I enjoyed what it offered. It was simply different than their peers - now all they have done here is blend right in with them. I just don't like it at all.

Well said, you pretty much hit the nail on the head. A complete blending in.

Kind of a cruel review, but sadly not wholly undeserved. Your points about the lyrics are unfortunately spot-on. I disagree with the people on this board who found lots of hooks on this album; it's all a bit stale to me.

As I view the history of tai, Almost Here seems to be the almost universally loved debut that was simply impossible to follow up. The only real option was to frankly sell out and make a hugely commercial made-for-radio record. This is exactly what FOB did; Take This to Your Grave was the exact parallel of Almost Here: an outstanding debut full-length. FOB's subsequent records are still good, but undeniably commercial. TAI knew that this was really their only option for a second album, but to their credit, they tried to do pop in a new way, which shows: the lyrics on Santi are excellent, and anything but cliché (e.g. "Bulls in Brooklyn"). The problem, then, came with their newly pop-ized sound, which as far as I can tell came largely from the producer of the album (whose name is escaping me at the moment). It's a much less indy, less emo, more manufactured, big pop sort of sound, which is love it or hate it, which gives Santi it's contested status among fans.

TAI clearly recognized the call for a return to Almost Here in this new album. To me, the sound of Fast Times is anything but pop: if anything, it's more straight rock-like. No, I found how to describe it when looking at the track list; "After the Last Midtown Show" is, to me, a clear appeal to the throngs of leftover Midtown fans who seem ever-present at absolutepunk. It is straight out of 2004 (yes, it was only four years ago), with the dawn of the emo movement: strong rock licks (Midtown), not much over-manufactured sound (Metro Station), and an appeal to the high school crowd (FOB). The problem is that in 2008, these songs sound generic and cliché, because in the intervening years, we've seen a preponderance of Midtown-imitating emo/pop-punk bands, so we're now searching for the one-offs that offer something a little bit different: Metro Station (though to me it's a bit of a hellogoodbye copycat), The Cab, The Maine, Cute is What We Aim For, even AVA back when they were cool.

So I do not want to say that Fast Times is a bad record per se, just that it's a bit...dated. What really kills it, though, is that it's missing that spark from those records like Almost Here or Take This to Your Grave which comes from the combination of witty, inventive lyrics (still there on Santi, sadly gone here) with that authentic, unmanufactured sound that 2004 emo-punk was aiming for (gone on Santi, back here, but with less of that inventive edginess of TAI and more of the generic Midtown fan–I've never been a huge Midtown fan, if you can't tell). If TAI comes out with another record, I truly hope that they can finally get to here (beyond the cusp they've been on for four years) without losing the spark of almost.

Interesting. I wouldn't say it's dated, and I think pop rules the majority on Fast Times. The goal of the album, to me, is to throw out something bouncy and fun, just like high school is cliched to be. They found a concept, ran with it, and it fell flat relative to what they tried on Santi. And because Santi was a "flop" in business terms, maybe they felt as though they needed to do something that would be a sure-fire hit, and signing about high school is pretty sure-fire.

[makeoutmags]

I'm sorry, I really expected better. Maybe progression is the wrong term for this band, but maybe not. In Almost Here, I found a new favorite band. In Santi I heard something that should have been explored further, and in Fast Times, they fell short of exploring anything new musically, or lyrically. For me, a 21 year old girl who graduated high school before half of TAI... did, it falls flat. It's alright for what it is, but Beckett's lost something in his voice, and I see it as a regression into a more generic sound.

And since I have to go here:
"I'm not impressed, and I'm definitely not excited (about this album)."

[makeoutmags]

So I do not want to say that Fast Times is a bad record per se, just that it's a bit...dated. What really kills it, though, is that it's missing that spark from those records like Almost Here or Take This to Your Grave which comes from the combination of witty, inventive lyrics (still there on Santi, sadly gone here) with that authentic, unmanufactured sound that 2004 emo-punk was aiming for (gone on Santi, back here, but with less of that inventive edginess of TAI and more of the generic Midtown fan–I've never been a huge Midtown fan, if you can't tell). If TAI comes out with another record, I truly hope that they can finally get to here (beyond the cusp they've been on for four years) without losing the spark of almost.


I think against today's crop, Santi sounds more inventive than Almost Here.

[slimfenix182]

its been coming to the point where all my favorite bands are releasing albums i do not enjoy half as much as i should. i'm either not changing with the music or the music is not as good. the only 2 bands to release cd's that blew me over the top is Every time i die and soon to be underoath. as for TAI...? i think this release will have to grow on me.

the music is not as good. I think a lot of bands first records are their best records. even if it was shitty recording quality or something like that, I think first records capture the true spirit of the band. that's just my opinion though. bands for some reason think growth means abandoning the sound that got them their fans. but it varies with every band obviously. I like the way alkaline trio has progressed as they've gotten older (albeit while a lot of their fans don't.) good charlotte is the best argument I can think of as far as a band turning into complete shit.

[poppunknerd182]

am I the only one who thinks this is EASILY their best album?

and I LOVED Almost Here....and HATED Santi.

And I'm 22.

And a dude.

But I fucking love this album. But I connect with music more than the lyrics....I don't expect anything more than I know I will get from William Beckett.

[lovesara]

Julia, great review! I always enjoy what you have to say about new albums :-) .

You were spot on about Coppertone and Rumored Nights... Easily two of my favorites on the album.

Also, I agree 100% what Chris said. Santi... yeah didn't get a lot of cliche fans and MTV hype... but it was so .... DIFFERENT.

Unique. Stands out. Authentic.
Those are essentially the words that pop in my head when I think about that album. TAI is so special to me because they have the ability to be on a label like FBR and are unable to blend in and become a generic pop/alt band.

However, this album has started to blend them in... and to me, that was the most disappointing part of FTABH.

Nonetheless... I will always support this band. Still have a lot of faith in them.

[birtcho]

i think it deserved a higher score. the tracks have a similarity but theyre all so good

[Heart-A-Tact]

A few good tracks, but forgettable.

[fadedmemories]

right now I would say that almost here=fast times
which says a lot since I still listen to almost here a lot

[iAMhollyood315]

the music is not as good. I think a lot of bands first records are their best records. even if it was shitty recording quality or something like that, I think first records capture the true spirit of the band. that's just my opinion though. bands for some reason think growth means abandoning the sound that got them their fans. but it varies with every band obviously. I like the way alkaline trio has progressed as they've gotten older (albeit while a lot of their fans don't.) good charlotte is the best argument I can think of as far as a band turning into complete shit.

100% agreed. thats what i think i would have said but you worded it better haha. props man

[xmakeitrainx]

maybe it's just me, but with a band like TAI, I could care less about progression.


I agree! Idk what it is about them but I'm ok with them staying where they are.. I don't think this album progressed from Santi at all, just a different sound, def. a "summer" album.

[SarahhFina]

good review, but i disagree
Santi was good but it was one of those albums that i had to skip a few tracks
Fast Times keeps me entertained and singing along the whole way through
but then again, i am going into my senior year of high school this month so that might have something to do with that

and FIRST

same here. maybe it's a little late for a record like this but i LOVE it and it definitely fits for me, the whole senior year thing.... it's awesome.

[cscwell107]

Yea i wasnt really feelin this

[goodnewsgeorge]

this cd should've been the cd they released before Almost Here..
but there's a handful of really catchy tracks on this cd, and a bunch of forgettable ones.

then again, maybe if i was still in highschool i would be enjoying the whole thing

[Tian]

Weird. I really really like this album. So much so that (even though I love Valencia and prolly prefer them as a bad) I prefer it to Valencias new album.

Oh yeha and I really really really prefer this album to Santi, which I thought was awful!

[Tian]

am I the only one who thinks this is EASILY their best album?

and I LOVED Almost Here....and HATED Santi.

And I'm 22.

And a dude.

But I fucking love this album. But I connect with music more than the lyrics....I don't expect anything more than I know I will get from William Beckett.

Im with you buddy! And FYI, I'm 19 at Uni.

[Down Set Go]

Almost Here was definitely catchy and had great lyrics. Santi had better instrumentation and great lyrics. Different, but identifiable. Fast Times at Barrington High has nothing going for it, really.

At least on Almost Here, while it was undeniably catchy and great for a proper debut, the band took their time to give each song a sound identifiable from the rest on the album. The production was great for the style and you could hear William singing front and center which fit the sound of the album. The album was actually honest and not overdone in the slightest which was great for such a young band.

On Santi, the band seemed to aim for a bit more of a musical progression than they took from their EP to Almost Here. The album itself has a different sound than the last and even still, the songs had their sound that didn't make any of them blend together. I really dug Santi as a transition from Almost Here and it was an album that I could get behind, both musically and lyrically. Butch Walkers production fit this record really well and again the vocals were clear without that "pop" sound spitshine.

Fast Times, though, I don't know what happened here. I can see this album doing well with whoever they are marketing it to, but I feel kind of betrayed. The band seemed to be growing with their fans and with themselves but like many people have said they seem to be going with this sound as a cautionary thing after how Santi performed. The lyrics in my opinion are really bad compared their last albums and the songs themselves seem constructed so poorly that I agree with what goodnewsgeorge said, this album sounds like it should have been released before Almost Here. It's immature and less inventive than both of their past albums, even their EP. The production on the album is lacking, but given the sound they are shooting for I suppose it makes sense.

After an album like Santi, you think the band would have at least kept up with improving themselves as musicians but many of these songs sound the same. Santi at the very least, if you didn't like it, could be interpreted as a band stepping in a different direction. With Fast Times, the band sadly feels like the only direction they are going in is the wrong one if they keep this up.

[saving jonathan]

I spent weekends at debate tournaments, not in She's All That or that Melissa Joan Hart movie.

Haha, nerrrrrrrd.

I would have to say that the idea for this record may in fact be better than the actual music on it. Your opening paragraph was awesome.

[goodnewsgeorge]

Almost Here was definitely catchy and had great lyrics. Santi had better instrumentation and great lyrics. Different, but identifiable. Fast Times at Barrington High has nothing going for it, really.

At least on Almost Here, while it was undeniably catchy and great for a proper debut, the band took their time to give each song a sound identifiable from the rest on the album. The production was great for the style and you could hear William singing front and center which fit the sound of the album. The album was actually honest and not overdone in the slightest which was great for such a young band.

On Santi, the band seemed to aim for a bit more of a musical progression than they took from their EP to Almost Here. The album itself has a different sound than the last and even still, the songs had their sound that didn't make any of them blend together. I really dug Santi as a transition from Almost Here and it was an album that I could get behind, both musically and lyrically. Butch Walkers production fit this record really well and again the vocals were clear without that "pop" sound spitshine.

Fast Times, though, I don't know what happened here. I can see this album doing well with whoever they are marketing it to, but I feel kind of betrayed. The band seemed to be growing with their fans and with themselves but like many people have said they seem to be going with this sound as a cautionary thing after how Santi performed. The lyrics in my opinion are really bad compared their last albums and the songs themselves seem constructed so poorly that I agree with what goodnewsgeorge said, this album sounds like it should have been released before Almost Here. It's immature and less inventive than both of their past albums, even their EP. The production on the album is lacking, but given the sound they are shooting for I suppose it makes sense.

After an album like Santi, you think the band would have at least kept up with improving themselves as musicians but many of these songs sound the same. Santi at the very least, if you didn't like it, could be interpreted as a band stepping in a different direction. With Fast Times, the band sadly feels like the only direction they are going in is the wrong one if they keep this up.

I agree with what you said.

But for Santi, initially I like it was an album Butch Walker would make- except without him singing on it. It was just sounding way too different from Almost Here. But fast forward to about half a year later, I decided to give the album another go, and I fell in love with it. TAI took a step forward musically, and now it seems that they have taken two steps back with their latest CD.

[fadedmemories]

I'm still listening to it right now, and I still think it deserves a higher score

[TheSkunk]

this is an embarrassing review, it sounds like you just skimmed through it and then wrote something.
vocals 6.5?!!
production 6.5!!??
fantastic album, im going to write a review for this before people are influenced by this one and throw away the album
thanks

[Down Set Go]

this is an embarrassing review, it sounds like you just skimmed through it and then wrote something.
vocals 6.5?!!
production 6.5!!??
fantastic album, im going to write a review for this before people are influenced by this one and throw away the album
thanks

Well, the production is pretty bad especially compared to their last albums. Vocals were weak and uninteresting on this release as well.

This album is mediocre at best. I honestly don't think there was even one aspect of the album done well.

[Down Set Go]

I agree with what you said.

But for Santi, initially I like it was an album Butch Walker would make- except without him singing on it. It was just sounding way too different from Almost Here. But fast forward to about half a year later, I decided to give the album another go, and I fell in love with it. TAI took a step forward musically, and now it seems that they have taken two steps back with their latest CD.

Yeah, the first time I listened to Santi I wasn't immediately in love, but I didn't immediately disagree with so many of the band's decisions like I did with this album. I can agree though that Butch Walker's influence on the album is prevalent but still the songs on Santi are superior to anything off Fast Times, production style notwithstanding. I love most of TAI's music and it sucks that I know I'm not gonna get any new music from them for at least a year. Sucks more that I think I probably won't like it. I'll just have to keep spinning their other albums.

[tipoftheiceberg]

You're sixteen so it would appeal to you in that matter. No offense but thats the point I believe he's trying to convey.

none taken.
i understand the whole reason i relate to this album is the fact that im going to graduate next june.

[map8705]

Good review. I really like the poppy sound the music had on this album, but the lyrics are a little dissapointing. I mean how many songs can you write about highschool 5 years after you've graduated?......12 I guess:yawn:

[Sandie-Jenkins]

from the moment i heard the title of this album i knew it wasn't gonna be good. why the hell is william becket still writing songs about high school? he's 23 years old.

[B.G.]

i really disliked this album.. the high school theme just thew me off i guess

[Synch Mosher]

I liked Almost Here a lot more than Santi, and i'm afraid to pick up this one.

[simpleawakening]

i liked the album and i see alot of these songs being in teenage comedy movies lol

[katyara]

On the whole, I see this as a good album. When you break it down, though, its flaws become more than apparent...

[Grohl]

I found this album to be quite enjoyable as power pop. If the Jonas Brothers are going to be heralded as a the new Cheap Trick, The Academy Is... might as well be the new Beatles.
(I say this with thick sarcasm)

[ellingtonband]

fun album!

[ihavechappedlip]

The vocals are not strained at all. He nails it on the album, and nails it live.

Now it's over

[PunkDrums182]

why not now?
I think I sorta overplayed/grew out of it.

[beaniehat]

Don't get me wrong, TAI are a great band. And this album isn't really all that bad. But compared to Almost Here and Santi, it sucks.

[SuchArrogance]

This album means a whole lot more if you're going through high school. If not, then it just kind of fades from your memory.

[foolishdrew]

As much as I love TAI, this album was a huge disappointment. I still like it due to the fact that William Beckett has something to do with it, but I was so impressed with "Santi," and hoped they would continue with that sound. Maybe polish it up a little. The only song on this album that sounds remotely close to "Santi" is "Beware! Cougar!"

Hopefully TAI won't continue in this direction for their next release.

[30secondstoSAM]

it's one of the best albums i've ever heard. i can't believe how underrated this is. disgrace!

[Christian Otte]

Goddamn, does this record rock. Seriously, Summer Hair = Forever Young is the absolut best song recorded by this band ever and it might be the best song of 2008. It is pure pop genius.