The Academy is embodies a punk rock energy without sounding "too punk." The guitar flows with more than punk repetition, and the rock harmony that is created fuses fairly well.

The album opens with a general call for “Attention,” where a steady drum and guitar synergy pump up the listener. In “The Phrase That Pays,” the singer croons about being deathly ill, then fires into a chorus about seizing the day. “Hold your head high heavy heart. So take a chance and make it big, cause it’s the last you’ll ever get. If we don’t take it, when will we make it?” “Checkmarks” hails as a powerfully energetic song, leading into a blasting chorus with a low-tone call of semi-desperation.