Album Review: The Academy Is... - Fast Times at Barrington High

"Fast Times at Barrington High" is the third album released by the Chicago-based band The Academy Is..., just a little over a year after their sophomore record "Santi." Like "Santi" it is being released by record label Fueled by Ramen. The name of the album comes from the 1982 film "Fast Times at Ridgemont High" with Barrington High being the high school lead singer William Beckett and bass player Adam Siska attended.

The album begins with the first single "About a Girl," probably the most catchy song on the record. The chorus is extremely well-written and catchy. After one listen it was stuck in my head for days.

The overall production of this album is spectacular. Produced and co-written by Sam Hollander and Dave Katz (who also worked together on Gym Class Heroes, Boys Like Girls, Coheed and Cambria and many other projects) it is chalk-full of lush guitars, heavy drums, and cleverly mixed vocals.

The entire album is solid. Unlike many of the recent albums I've reviewed, it is very difficult to find songs that are boring or don't have their own distinctive quality. While some of the verses are slow and uninteresting ("After The Last Midtown Show" and "Beware! Cougar!") each redeem themselves with a great chorus.

The best comparison I can pull out on this one is the music leans more to the feel of Cartel. William Beckett's voice is very similar to Ryan Miller of Guster with more angst.

I found this album extremely enjoyable and it will definitely be staying in my iPod.

Recommended Artist: Lykke Li

Right now I am listening to Lykke Li's 2008 release "Youth Novel." This album is great. This swedish artist mixes multiple sounds and beats to her poetic voice. Each track has a different and unique flavor. In the opening track "Melodies and Desires" Li mixes spoken word with ambient tones. In "Let It Fall" she sings catchy phrases to a simple drum beat and quiet bass line.

You can listen to "Dance, Dance, Dance" at lastfm.com -

http://www.last.fm/music/Lykke+Li/_/Dance+Dance+Dance?autostart

Check it out and tell me what you think.

Album Review: The Gaslight Anthem - The '59 Sound

The Gaslight Anthem is a punk alternative band from New Jersey. On August 19th they will release their second album "The '59 Sound." The Captain was privileged to get a sneak peak at this gem.

On the album, lead singer Brian Fallon has a voice that is reminiscent of Springsteen. His voice is straightforward and neat with a dash of reverb and delay. While this may have punk fans throwing up on themselves his voice also reminds me of Brandon Flowers in The Killers second album "Sam's Town."

The guitar, bass and drums are kept simple. The tempo and beat are catchy. Overall, this is just a nice album.

My favorite track is the title track "The '59 Sound." The opening guitar riff is very sweet and the pre-chorus as Fallon sings "The chains I've been hearing now for most of my life" as it bursts into a gritty melody is awesome. Track 3 "Old White Lincoln" is also a beauty and words to the chorus "You wear high top sneakers and your seven tattoos" are still ringing in my mind.

I highly recommend this album. You do not have to be a high top wearing tattood punk lover to enjoy it.

Album Review: One Day as a Lion by One Day as a Lion

Regurgitated crap. Save yourself the money and go buy Rage Against The Machine's "The Battle of Los Angeles." My sentiment while listening to this album was "been there, done that and shouldn't have to pay for it again."

One Day As A Lion is a duo consisting of the infamous lead singer Zack de la Rocha from Rage Against The Machine and drummer Jon Theodore formerly of The Mars Volta. Imagine Rage Against The Machine stripped of its deep bass lines and signature Tom Morello guitar rifts and you have ODAAL. What's left you ask? Just de la Rocha's angst filled voice screaming his political views to drum beats and keyboard/synth sounds.

This album does prove (to The Captaion anyway) that de la Rocha is a major part of Rage Against The Machine's sound. So much that you could fool most people into thinking this was a new album from Rage and not just a side project.

There are a few positives to this album, namely the song "Ocean View" in which de la Rocha actually sings. The other - it's only 5 tracks long and you can get it for $5.99 at most record stores!