Mind Equals Blown

What happens after the happy ending seems to be a mystery to music critics.  After Say Anything frontman Max Bemis found the right mixture of meds and married Eisley’s Sherri DuPree, everyone worried that the formerly angsty lyricist would lose his touch due to the new found happiness, as if clever songwriting and bliss couldn’t co-exist.  Fortunately for us, Bemis proved this is not the case with the self-titled Say Anything.

As always, Bemis has a narrative in mind.  Rather than hearing about his battles with life (2006’s …Is A Real Boy) or his recovery (2007’s In Defense Of The Genre), Say Anything seem to be working on the world and its issues, focusing on being happy and maximizing potential.  Combining everything you loved about old SA with improved musicianship; like off-tempo and altered guitar solos, piano, and acoustics; and a fresh outlook on life make for quite the record.

“Fed To Death” tackles the balance between irresponsibility and the power-obsessed with great melody and acoustics to lead things off.  A nice piano outro leads into the opening cheers of “Hate Everyone,” the album’s first single.  Borrowing heavily from The Clash at times musically, the track outlines the people Bemis takes issue with…which apparently is everyone, including Kanye (“the rapper in the Lexus”).  This one’s a grower, especially for a SA single, so give it a few spins before deciding you hate it.

A tasteful mastery of electronics backs a few of the album’s highlights, including the standout “Do Better.”  Max’s call to be the best man possible is the strongest track on the album thanks to his delivery, clever lyricism and the muted kick drum.  The love song “Crush’d” is the most heavily electro-ed song present, which nicely cuts the sappiness of the track.  Of course, it’s endearing in a way only Say Anything could be (“You’re a witch/you’re a wench/you’re like Bjork with better fashion sense”), but we appreciate the sentiment.

You almost need a track-by-track review to cover all the awesomeness here.  Back-to-back songs “Less Cute” and “Eloise” feature upbeat pop/rock choruses that are guaranteed hits.  As schizo as “Mara and Me” is, the track’s strangely compelling and deserves attention.  Things keep catchy without sacrificing comedy in “Property,” where Bemis announces males’ ownership of women.  Really.  Don’t miss the hysterical spoken word after the second chorus (Excerpt: “And worst case, I’ll just have to sell some drugs to my little brother’s friends.  If you do have to sell your body once, or twice, or seven times…”).

As tired as the slow building, acoustic-to-full-band, multi-vocalist closer has become, “Ahhh…Men” is damn near perfect.  Max shouts over gang vocals to end his latest musical endeavor in epic fashion, wrapping things up well before you double click “Fed To Death” for your second listen through.

It’s another Say Anything winner. Pick up the album and enjoy the latest chapter to the Bemis tale.

Author: Jack Appleby View Staff Page for Jack Appleby

That 6’5″ guy you curse about under your breath for standing in front of you at shows. Southern California resident (a fact my fellow MEBers tend to hate me for). Student at Hope International University, where I served two years as Editor-In-Chief of the Hope International Tribune. College basketball player (I’m losing cred by the word). Social networking connoisseur. Musically, I’m all across the board, but tend to hover around ____core and good catchy-rock. Always ready for seven hour Facebook debates on the music industry, your favorite band and anything else.

(5 votes, average: 9.60 out of 10)

 Loading ...