Liar's Academy

Formed by Ryan Shelkett and Evan Tanner immediately after the disintegration of their previous band, Cross My Heart, Liar's Academy is an unlikely but potent combination of CMH's emotional rock (not strictly emo, but close) and the hardcore influence of Strike Anywhere guitarist Matt Smith. The band's first disc as a trio was rightly hailed for its maturity and depth, but with the expansion to four members (bassist Chris Camden, another ex CMH-er, joined after the first album's release), the Academy's sound has also expanded, while the songwriting has grown ever stronger. Imagine latter-day Replacements with Lemonhead Evan Dando on vocals and the picture becomes a little clearer.