2008 Woodie Awards
Rock band delivers unique and daring album
By Phil Geist
Issue date: 3/18/05 Section: Entertainment
Spring is nearly upon us and the last snows of winter are melting with each passing day. As the warmth of the sun awakens our spirits to the excitement of summer, we leave the stale sounds of winter behind and open up our music senses to new discoveries.
When I analyzed the ranks of new bands, I tried to pinpoint a relatively unknown, underdog group who held the greatest potential to impact the alternative music scene and I kept coming back to a Chicago based quintet who call themselves The Academy Is...
One particular reason I chose to write a review on this group were the lyrics derived from the song "Seasons" that claim, "To write the hits and to turn their heads and open eyes to a brand new season. So show me something we haven't heard yet." A brand new season is upon us, and The Academy Is... might just be the element missing to complete your springtime equation.
I can't say I've never heard a band like The Academy Is... before, and I would say their catchy sound is comparative to the groups of The All-American Rejects and Dashboard Confessional. The Academy Is... is lead by front man William Beckett, as well as guitarist Mike Carden, who used to be Beckett's cross-town rival until the two came together as one in 2002.
I used to follow William Beckett's former acoustic act known as Remember Maine, whose stage presence directly reminded me to that of Christopher Carrabba. Beckett has had similar experience like that of the lead singer for Dashboard Confessional of going from a one-man show to a full scale band through the process of gradual additions. Although I did enjoy the acoustic songs of Remember Maine, I think that Beckett will have a new audience to draw upon with the incorporation of a supporting cast.
Aside from Beckett and Carden, the group consists of three other college-aged students who decided to leave the books behind and risk it all in pursuit of the dream that they have envisioned for all of their lives. Now, I have a great amount of respect and envy for William, Mike, Adam, Tom and Andy because after they graduated from high school they set their goals high and even when the weight of the world was bearing down on them they listened to their hearts and persevered onward and upward.
When I analyzed the ranks of new bands, I tried to pinpoint a relatively unknown, underdog group who held the greatest potential to impact the alternative music scene and I kept coming back to a Chicago based quintet who call themselves The Academy Is...
One particular reason I chose to write a review on this group were the lyrics derived from the song "Seasons" that claim, "To write the hits and to turn their heads and open eyes to a brand new season. So show me something we haven't heard yet." A brand new season is upon us, and The Academy Is... might just be the element missing to complete your springtime equation.
I can't say I've never heard a band like The Academy Is... before, and I would say their catchy sound is comparative to the groups of The All-American Rejects and Dashboard Confessional. The Academy Is... is lead by front man William Beckett, as well as guitarist Mike Carden, who used to be Beckett's cross-town rival until the two came together as one in 2002.
I used to follow William Beckett's former acoustic act known as Remember Maine, whose stage presence directly reminded me to that of Christopher Carrabba. Beckett has had similar experience like that of the lead singer for Dashboard Confessional of going from a one-man show to a full scale band through the process of gradual additions. Although I did enjoy the acoustic songs of Remember Maine, I think that Beckett will have a new audience to draw upon with the incorporation of a supporting cast.
Aside from Beckett and Carden, the group consists of three other college-aged students who decided to leave the books behind and risk it all in pursuit of the dream that they have envisioned for all of their lives. Now, I have a great amount of respect and envy for William, Mike, Adam, Tom and Andy because after they graduated from high school they set their goals high and even when the weight of the world was bearing down on them they listened to their hearts and persevered onward and upward.
