Tales from the Backseat
The Academic · 2018
34 min · 10 tracks · alternative rock
Energetic indie rock melodies intertwine with relatable lyrics, capturing youthful exuberance and the bittersweet nature of growing up.
Top tracks — play these first
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Permanent Vacation — This opening track sets the tone for the album with its infectious energy and themes of escape and leisure, encapsulating youthful optimism.
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I Feel It Too — With its anthemic chorus and heartfelt lyrics about shared emotions, this track highlights the band's knack for crafting relatable, sing-along moments.
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Northern Boy — This song offers a more reflective tone, delving into personal identity while maintaining a catchy melody, showcasing the band's lyrical depth.
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Bite My Tongue — This track features clever wordplay and an upbeat rhythm, representing the album's blend of wit and youthful frustration effectively.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album effectively captures youthful themes with energetic melodies, though it follows familiar indie rock templates.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a driving beat and layered guitars that set an energetic tone, which is maintained through the first half.
- Several tracks feature call-and-response vocal patterns, enhancing the sense of camaraderie and youthful exuberance.
- The last two tracks slow down slightly, providing a contrast to the earlier energy while still maintaining melodic hooks.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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6/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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5/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- short, catchy song bursts
- lighthearted and upbeat vibes
- nostalgic storytelling themes
- for casual listening
- easygoing road trip soundtrack
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released on January 12, 2018, 'Tales from the Backseat' is The Academic's debut studio album following their earlier EPs. At this point in their career, they were transitioning from local success in Ireland to gaining broader recognition in the UK and beyond, showcasing their maturation as songwriters and musicians.
- Stylistic neighbors
- The Vamps· Foster the People· Walk the Moon
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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I Feel It Too
The bridge shifts to a moment of vulnerability as the narrator explicitly acknowledges doubts about love’s reciprocity.
By breaking from an earlier confident tone, this moment introduces a raw honesty that deepens emotional engagement with listeners.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Permanent Vacation 3:14
- 2 Bear Claws 3:33
- 3 Different 3:12
- 4 I Feel It Too 3:39
- 5 Bite My Tongue 3:26
- 6 Fake ID 2:48
- 7 Northern Boy 3:58
- 8 Television 3:34
- 9 Why Can't We Be Friends? 3:23
- 10 Girlfriends 3:31
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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