Given the buzz surrounding "The Academy Is" I was looking forward to hearing this, their debut CD and can safely say I wasn't disappointed by the record, which is as good a slice of emo as I've heard since the last Weezer CD or Dopamines debut

Tipped to be one of the big things of 2006, along with label mates Panic At The Disco, the band have built up their fanbase so far mainly through internet savvy, but this disc will help cement and augment that following with something a little more tangible.

Apart from William Beckett's at times overly wordy delivery the band seem to have everything covered, most of the tracks are punchy mid-paced emo with vocal hooks a-plenty, the production is pretty dry and clear and everything seems to sit together well enough.

If I have any criticism to offer its that there's not a lot of variation on the record but nearly everything that is here is worthwhile in its own right. "The Phrase That Pays", "Skeptics And True Believers" and opener "Attention" for example all hint at greater things to come from the band, definitely one to watch.

Let us know your views on 'Almost Here'

Track List

Attention
Season
Slow Down
The Phrase That Pays
Black Mamba
Skeptics And True Believers
Classifieds
Checkmarks
Down And Out
Almost Here 

Line Up

William Beckett - Vocals
Adam Siska - Bass
Andy Mrotek - Drums
Tom Conrad - Guitar
Mike Carden - Guitar