Excited for new music from The Academy Is... I clicked *play* on the first track of Fast Times at Barrington High. After twenty seconds, I examined the cd (I do buy ‘em.) to see if they had accidentally put the wrong cd in the case. No, there it was: “The Academy Is...” They had not made a mistake. With a sinking feeling I continued listening to the rest of the cd.
If I had to sum up my reaction to FTABH in one sentence, I would say: Why, when The Academy Is... was doing so well sounding like themselves, did they suddenly want to start sounding like everyone else?
Gone are the musical roller coaster rides that were Almost Here and Santi. Compared to those two albums Fast Times is a Sunday stroll down a country lane. The best way to stress how bland Fast Times is is to remind you how great Almost Here and Santi are.
On Almost Here, remember the irresistible “Black Mamba” with its catchy “Pick it up, pick it up” refrain, the standout drumming of the Butcher, the acoustic guitar added for interest, the in-your-face lyric “I’m sick of this f*cking apartment.”
Remember the passion of “Checkmarks.” You don’t know who William is singing about but you know how he feels about the person. When he sings, “Just take your cold, cold heart and drown. And don’t forget to take deep breaths,” in that choked-off voice, you feel that odd sensation in your throat every time.
Remember all the high points of Santi: the perfection of “Seed,” with its “Lonesome Highway” guitar sound, the heartbreaking ballad “Everything We Had,” the sheer exuberance of “Neighbors,” the unforgettable minor key of “We’ve got a Big Mess.” And I should mention “Sleeping With Giants,” with William repeating the phrase “you’ve got to find a way” so many times you almost can’t stand it, before he completes the line with “before you fold.”
You won’t find anything to match the uniqueness of TAI’s previous two albums on Fast Times. All the peaks have been leveled out to where most of the songs are just sort of pleasant and forgettable. Honestly, I have a hard time telling “About a Girl,” “His Girl Friday,” “The Test,” and “Coppertone” apart. “Paper Chase” could be the theme song to High School Musical IV. And I don’t say that like it’s a good thing.
This album has no bite. From the song title, I thought “Beware! Cougar!” would have bite, but it ambles along like so many of the other tracks until it gets to the line “Let it roll. Let it Ride. Ride,” and the Jimmy Eat World dischord chord is thrown in. (And I thank them for that.)
As for the production, there’s a uniformity about the overall sound of this album. In their previous albums the other band members were given solos to show off their talents, for instance, Sisky’s strong bass line in “Bulls in Brooklyn” and the Butcher’s mad drumming in “Skeptics and True Believers.” In Fast Times there is very little chance for the individual members of the band to shine. Even William’s pretty voice is often lost in a sea of overdubbing. Bring back Butch Walker!
All this is not to say that Fast Times is without its charms. I’ve already mentioned “Beware! Cougar!”, a song that at least nips, even if it doesn’t quite bite.
I think my favorite track might be the melancholy “Automatic Eyes,” with its seductive hook, “Do you want me to stay, do you want me to go?” I picture myself listening to it with my head pressed against a window on a rainy day, writing someone’s name in the condensation.
Does my disappointment in TAI’s new album mean that I’ll throw out my t-shirt and turn my back on them? No! I will go to the concert at Roseland Ballroom in November, and I will swoon like any 16-year-old just for the night.
And I will hope for better things next time around. I guess I must be a Die Hard.
Agree? Disagree? Confused? Please let me hear all about it!
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