The Academy Is...
By All Music Guide
By All Music Guide
A few lineup changes came in 2004, as guitarist/vocalist Tom Conrad and drummer Andy Mrotek joined on as permanent members of the group. Relentless touring with the likes of Fall Out Boy, Something Corporate, Midtown, and Armor for Sleep steadily built a devoted fan following around the country before their label debut, Almost Here, was issued in February 2005. The Academy Is... released the six-song acoustic EP From the Carpet exclusively on /iTunes in early 2006. It contained three new songs (including a cover of John Lennons Working Class Hero) and acoustic versions of tracks from Almost Here. Around the same time, the band could be found on the road headlining sold-out venues across the country with Acceptance, Hellogoodbye, and Panic! at the Disco. The guys parted ways with Conrad that fall as writing began back in Chicago for their second full-length.
