On today's edition, we're highlighting a record from the year 2008.
The record I've chosen today is the third official full length from Chicago's very own The Academy Is... The album is called Fast Times at Barrington High.
I love this record. I think it's one of the most expertly crafted pop rock albums. Sonically, it still holds up and the recording and production is quite good. I love every song. It's a very bright Summery record. The songs have big anthemic choruses. The lyrics and melodies get stuck in your head. There's nothing too complex.
Fast Times at Barrington High is the third and final studio album by American rock band The Academy Is..., released in August 2008.
It was named the 46th best album of 2008 by Rolling Stone.It was produced by S*A*M and Sluggo. The title refers to the high school to which William Beckett and Adam Siska went,[3] and a play on the title of the 1982 film Fast Times at Ridgemont High. The album cover photo was taken by William Beckett's sister, Courtney Beckett, and shows William sitting on a couch with Naomi, a friend of the band.[citation needed]
Pete Wentz posted a blog entry saying that he heard the demos for the new album and called them, "Mind blowing. Miles away from where they were."[4] Collaborations include Andrew McMahon from Jack's Mannequin; Gabe Saporta, Ryland Blackinton and Alex Suarez from Cobra Starship; and Mason Musso and Blake Healy from Metro Station.
I feel like this was the record that should have put The Academy Is into the realm of pop stardom. It may have just been a year or two too late. I'm not really sure why radio didn't grab ahold of any of the singles from the record.
