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If someone told me three years ago that this Chicago five-piece would have returned back to the pop-punk scene with an ‘autobiographical’ album as their third effort, quite frankly, I would have laughed. It would never work. But then again…

The Academy Is… exploded onto the scene back in 2005 with their exhilarating debut album ‘Almost Here’ which undoubtedly made an imprint on pop-punk as we know it. The victory of this album raised the bar for the bands next attempt- the album ‘Santi’, released in 2007. Sadly, their second attempt was exactly that; it just did not cut it. It was almost as if the excitement these young gentlemen felt back in 2005 had been lost somewhere on the road between A and B. But listening to album three; the newly released ‘Fast Times at Barrington High’ one thing is immediately clear; a mere attempt this is not.

Even after hearing just the first line of the opening track ‘About a Girl’ it is clear that ‘Fast Times …’ is going to eclipse ‘Santi’ completely. The anti-climatic second album was slapdash in places, but the set up here is tighter than most of the band members’ jeans.

The main element which instantly places ‘Fast Times…’ in a league of its own is the new-found maturity in lead singer William Beckett’s voice. This is not to say, however, that Beckett has lost the youthful flair which originally captivated fan girls and boys alike. The screaming climaxes, dulcet tones, and epic last notes are all still present and correct but are coupled with a slightly harsher edge which only adds to the albums charisma. In fact, some tracks are reminiscent of the classics which first captivated the now avid TAI fans back in 2005. ‘Summer Hair=Forever Young’ is not unlike ‘Checkmarks’, the classic anthem from their triumphant debut. Similarly, the new poignant ‘Coppertone’ is comparable to the stirring ‘Down and Out’ also from the first album.

One thing which has been consistent from the start, even through the disappointment of ‘Santi’ is Beckett’s ability as a lyricist. The previous two albums both delivered lyrics which will have unquestionably reached out and touched many people; turning meagre fans into cult followers; and ‘Fast Times…’ is no exception.

The lyrics will undoubtedly still reach the fans and surround them completely, but like Beckett’s new found vocal skills they have matured. These new songs manage to show the journey this band have been through to meet us here and get to this stage and that is exactly what sets this album apart and places it on a new platform to the previous two. The band has grown up and the fans have grown up with them and after three years they are still able to greet each other and embrace like old friends.

As the album ends and Beckett nails the last note, I for one am definitely convinced that The Academy Is… are back.