Classic & Current Contemporary Non-Schlock-Rock Metropolitan Music

Fast Times at Barrington High (Aug. 19, 2008) - The Academy Is...

The Academy Is...

When Fast Times at Barrington High came out, I was blown away at what a great piece of power pop this record is. I'd been a TAI fan for awhile, but this record is their first that I would say is filled with the qualities of classic power-pop - jangly power chords, irresistible guitar licks, traditionally-scaled lush harmonies, fun lyrics, and lots of cheery energy not unlike that of vintage power pop bands such as The dB's and The Paul Collins Beat.

On July 14, 2008 - a few hours before The Academy Is... released the first song off of Fast Times at Barrington High - I sat down with William Beckett and Adam T. Siska ("Sisky Business") to talk about their pending new album. Most of the songs were written and perfected over a four-month period when they were off-tour, so when they got into the studio, it took under three weeks to do most of the recording before they headed off on Warped Tour.

Sisky and William were excited about the feel of the album's value of friends and appreciation of carefree times when you're young. With their days at Barrington High School in Illinois well behind them, Sisky and William had come to realize how special it is to be able to enjoy the moment instead of only focusing on what lies ahead in life. The more I listened the more I sensed - "yeah, this is what pop music is all about." The guys were stoked that the track "About a Girl" would be released that night at midnight on iTunes, with the full album to follow about a month later.

William seemed more mellow and relaxed than the first time I met him on October 20, 2007. It was at the first show when The Academy Is... resumed their fall tour after a short break. He was very gracious then but I could tell he was tired. At the time I did not know there would be a likely connection between events of that time and the new song I was about to download a few hours after our next meeting.

"About a Girl" hooked me right away with its addictive rhythms and rousing chorus of "I'm not in love! This is not my heart. I'm not going to waste these words about a girl."

Most people interpret this song as either some guy trying to tell a girl he doesn't love her, or that he's in denial about being in love with a girl that doesn't love him. I've always had a different take on the meaning of the song. Tonight I decided to search around the web to see if anyone might have caught on to this. From what I found, I guess not:

• "He's pretty much saying he doesn't wanna be in love with someone who never really notices him."
• "This song means that he's in love with a girl, but the girl won't hear anything he's saying."
• "I think the song is about liking someone but not wanting to admit it."
• "This song is about someone who is really happy in a relationship, but realizes that he is not in love and he doesn't want to waste his time, even though he still cares about this girl."
• "What the heck is the purpose of this song? It's got a great beat, tune, and vocals, but what's the meaning behind the words? It sounds like he's in denial, but it also sounds like he's not in love. I watched the music video, that just made me more confused. Anybody have an answer?"

It only took a few listens to this song for me to come up with a uniquely different interpretation, particularly taking into consideration something I was told the day of my TAI interview in July. When I mentioned my take of the song to my hubby Billy Leather, who is also a TAI fan, he agreed with me completely. But we kept it to ourselves out of respect for William's privacy. Now that things we knew about back then have become public, I'll talk about it only enough to explain why we think William is singing to his daughter in this song.

As the parents of two daughters, Billy Leather and I know the feeling of exhilarating love and wonderment that comes with the birth of a new child. The love you feel for that baby is beyond explanation and you find yourself not believing you can love anything so much. My brief explanation here in no way comes close to conveying that feeling but I totally sense it when I hear William sing that song.

Yet the song can work as "some guy trying to tell a girl he doesn't love her, or that he's in denial about being in love with a girl that doesn't love him." That's one thing that makes this such a brilliant pop song. It works on lots of levels.

I've had several conversations with William since I first heard "About a Girl." The most recent (as of this commentary) was last summer when The Academy Is.. opened for KISS. I considered asking him what he thinks of my interpretation but we were mostly talking about business so the timing didn't seem right. Next time... maybe. Maybe not...

The Academy Is... - Fast Times at Barrington High Original Album Tracks

About A Girl Summer Hair = Forever Young His Girl Friday The Test Rumored Nights Automatic Eyes Crowded Room Coppertone After The Last Midtown Show Beware! Cougar! Paper Chase

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