Say Anything brings mature sound with double disc sophomore release

Ryan Taughrin
Arts Editor

Say Anything
In Defense of the Genre J Records
CD Review
5/5 Stars

With twenty-three guest vocalists, 27 tracks, two discs and 90 minutes, Say Anything is defining ambition by Going to lengths many bands would never dream of.

"The idea [of releasing a double album] was scaring a lot of people because we're a really young band. But once J Records heard the entirety of the album in order, everyone became a lot more comfortable with it because of how it all fits together," said Say Anything front-man Max Bemis in a September interview with Rock Daily, a Web site produced by music journalists and producers which functions as a source for the radio industry.

Continuing where their 2006 release ...Is a Real Boy off, In Defense of the Genre is the story of Bemis' struggle with love, hate, religion and self-medication. Since the major label rerelease of ...Is a Real Boy in 2006, Say Anything has become a champion of the indie-pop genre.

"The album is the story of my life between the years of 20 and like 22 or 23. It's the first time since our earlier stuff where I tell a love story, except this time it's an actual love story instead of the ramblings of a hormonal teenager. It has a lot to do with growing up and personal responsibility instead of the 'I don't give a fuck' attitude of being a late teenager explored in ...Is a Real Boy," Bemis said in a September interview for AbsolutePunk, a not-for-profit Web site that features music reviews and discussion.

In Defense of the Genre will easily strike a chord with many fans of Say Anything. Bemis has been repeatedly praised for his ability to scrutinize the music scene to which he belongs with songs such as "Admit It" and "Belt" and realizes the ups and downs within the music industry. His ability to translate his thoughts into lyrics is refreshing.

"The current scene is so diverse that to pigeonhole it as crappy or amazing would be ignorant. There are sweet ass indie bands and shitty pretentious ones. There are generic, cookie cutter bullshit pop-punk bands and pop punk bands making groundbreaking awesome records," Bemis said.

The love story on In Defense of the Genre is hauntingly funny, lyrically clever and is many times juxtaposed against instrumentation as disturbing as it is invigorating. Bemis' ability to vocalize his experiences steps outside the box that many artists fall into when looking at relationships.

Bemis sets the stage for this theme with "That is why." As he belts "So easy, talk sleezy/You led me off the plank and left me queasy/And that is why/You can't rock my world," fellow band members Coby Linder, Alex Kent, Jake Turner, Jeff Turner and Parker Case create instrumentation comparable to any pop standard of the 50s.

Intertwined with themes of love is Bemis' plight with religion. During "Died a Jew" and "the Church Channel" Say Anything snatches listeners' attention with simple likable riffs. Guest vocals from Paramore's Hayley Williams add to "The Church Channel's" appeal, along with expectably witty lines like, "They would let us play with markers/But I keep on trying to draw infinity/And I read the Bible to pass the time."

Raw emotion pours from In Defense of the Genre from start to finish. Drum beats from Coby Linder are consistently on point.The guest vocals not only add polish to the album, but are a Who's Who of artists in the pop-punk scene. Pete Yorn's guest appearance on "Skinny Mean Man" is the perfect contrast to Bemis' rash brooding.

Loving, losing and regaining the ability to love are a common theme that many albums approach with only marginal success. The twists, turns and spins throughout In Defense of the Genre make the albums 90 minutes seem short. It is a more mature compilation of songs that is relatable for young adult music fans.

"With twice the anguished howls, twice the soul-baring lyrics, and twice the screeching guitars, In Defense of the Genre is easily one of the most ambitious artistic statements the emo scene's decade-plus development has offered," said Simon Vozick-Levinson, in a music review for Entertainment Weekly.

Hits Daily Double predicts record first week sales for In Defense of the Genre at about 35,000.

Say Anything is currently touring in support of the new album on the MySpace music tour with Hellogoodbye.