Featured Article: The Academy Is... Latest EP, Lost in Pacific Time

Written by Jessica Andrews

These days, there are very few bands that stay around long enough that they no longer need an introduction, The Academy is… should be one of those bands. Forming in 2003, they have played their fair share of Vans Warped Tours and have worked hard to get to the point where they are today. The band entered a down period after releasing three full-length CD’s and several successful singles. They did a few tours, but nothing really major, until now. The band is finally embarking on the AP Fall Ball Tour with co-headliner, Mayday Parade. To coincide with the tour, they have released a new EP entitled, Lost in Pacific Time.

Lost in Pacific Time doesn’t sound like the Academy is… original sound. Fans that enjoyed the first album, Almost Here, will be very skeptical. The songs for the most part are very slow, and sounds reminiscent of the songs off of Fast Times at Barrington High. However, the lyrics are extremely catchy, which is something you can always count on.

“I’m Yours Tonight,” is the first single off of the EP. It’s one of their more catchy songs. You can tell when listening to it that the band has grown immensely since their first record, Almost Here. It has a fast beat for a slow song, and William Beckett’s vocals make it very likely to be a successful single.

William Beckett and Adam Siska performed “Days Like Masquerade” for the first time at their alma mater, Barrington High. This was for an anti-suicide benefit a few days before the release of the EP. The song has a semi-classic TAI sound and is one of the best songs on the EP. This is really refreshing to hear from the band.

 “Sputter” starts off with a techno beat, which is one of the last things I’d expect to hear from the band. The song was co-written with the help of Andrew McMahon, the lead singer for Jack’s Mannequin. The song is lacking something, but the lyrics make up for it.

Overall, Lost in Pacific Time feels just like an extension of Fast Times at Barrington High. If you liked that album, you will most likely like this EP. The songs are slow, and they all have components missing that you’re used hearing from the Academy is… but it’s still a solid effort that’s worthy or purchasing.