On their first album, Baltimore’s Liars Academy pretty much do away with the hardcore and indie sides of the emo equation in favor of good old-fashioned hard rock. They succeed for a couple of reasons, the most crucial of which is a consistency in matching big pop choruses with their appropriately gooey vocal harmonies. Then there’s frontman Ryan Shelkett’s unapologetically collegiate lyrics, which convey a sense of melancholy without ever descending into outright whining. "Quarter Life Crisis," for example, is the kind of title that usually signifies a self-indulgent emo sobfest, but this song cruises by in under two minutes, centering on a sweet dream of "green grass, spring nights, and you and me." The band also tone things down on the power ballad "Perfect," a tearjerking tale of post-date anxiety straight out of a John Hughes movie. Originality is not Liars Academy’s strong suit, and their performances don’t always do justice to the songs. But their friendly brand of college rock thrives on small victories, and there’s more than enough bluster and emotional depth here to hit the mark.