Max Bemis and his group of crazy band mates came out with their second album last week. Say Anything's new album, "In Defense of the Genre" is a monster; it consists of two discs and 27 new songs.
The album has been long-awaited by fans of the band's debut "...Is a Real Boy" (2004), and their singles "Alive with the Glory of Love" and "Wow, I Can Get Sexual, Too." The two songs came off of the reissue second disc of "...Is a Real Boy," aptly titled, "...Was a Real Boy."
Many hail Bemis as the new champion in emo songwriting ability, evidenced by his clever uses of metaphor and unusual lyrics to paint a picture of something most listeners can relate to. For example, the track "Admit It!" off the last album, described the hatred Bemis has for pretentious hipsters who seem to plague everyday existence these days.
This new album retains some of the old style and songwriting techniques, but most of its songs are a departure from the first album. It's not a surprise that the band changed their style; Bemis' battle with addiction wholly influenced the first album, and since gaining popularity, he has shifted away from the lifestyle that led him to fame.
The tracks off the new album are a mix of hard rock ballads, alternative jams and digitally infused numbers. The song "No Soul" starts like a song by Incubus, but quickly shifts to harmonizing vocals, digital piano and squealing vocal effects, ? la Hellogoodbye. The eclectic style of the album can be attributed to the fact that it features over 11 guest vocals: Gerard Way of My Chemical Romance on the title track, Adam Lazzara of Taking Back Sunday on "Surgically Removing the Tracking Device" and Dashboard Confessional's Chris Carrabba on "Retarded for Love."
The title of the album may be misleading because, while some assume that Bemis will defend the pop-punk-rock genre, the mix of musical styles on the album does not allow it to be pinned down to any genre in particular.
It is quite obvious that the whole album could be taken straight out of Bemis' journal, for it displays his troubles with the ladies for all his fans to see. If he was as good at getting chicks as he is at making catchy melodies and addictive lyrics, he would probably stop writing and quit the band.
Tracks like "Spore" are a welcome addition to the album; "Spore" is simple - featuring just one guitar and members of the band singing in harmony. The first single off the album, "Baby Girl, I'm a Blur," is very different from what the band has produced in the past, but it is still addicting - in the best way possible.
Fans of the original disk will find the album enjoyable and catchy at best, but also a little dull at points. Say Anything's first album more clearly defined the band's sound and personality, so for those unfamiliar with the group, "...Is a Real Boy" might be a better buy.
Say Anything is currently on the road on the Myspace Music Tour with Hellogoodbye, Young Love and Japanese sensation Polysics. Hardcore Say Anything fans can check out the group's upcoming show at Lupo's Heartbreak Hotel in Providence, R.I. on Nov. 1.
