The Academy Is. . .

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• Genre: Indie Pop
• Hometown: Chicago
• The Academy Is. . . Website

About

Formed in 2002 with two ex-members of rival Chicago bands, the Academy Is usually get lumped in with the rest of the emo stable on the Fueled By Ramen label. This makes some sense since Pete Wentz, the bassist in Fall Out Boy and FBR talent scout, has an ear for next-generation pop-punk and brought them aboard, along with a majority of the label's other recent signings. Their earnest coming-of-age stories combined with vocalist William Beckett's smooth delivery has vaulted these kids into a more grown-up level of sound and songwriting. Could it possibly be called "post-teeno"? It could. Though the lyrics touch upon mature topics like serious relationships and mortality, the Academy Is still manage to rock out with the rest of the crowd; they've just graduated beyond the temper tantrums.

- Michele K-Tel