Say Anything – Is a Real Boy

Say Anything’s range of displayed music styles are much like a rainbow, each is distinct but they blend together and form something that no single piece would have accomplished on its own. And it’s not only that the individual songs are varied, but throughout a single song they can change their pace and attitude many times. Woe goes from something similar to a comedic, Las Vegas showgirl musical, to tambourine backed vocals, transitioning to lurching rock, quickly followed by a keyboard filled, triumphant chant, to an amalgam of former styles and finishing with a reluctant, mellow indie loop. It pays to have tastes as varied as the album, otherwise you’re bound to dig portions of songs only to be let down shortly afterwards.

An Orgy of Critics was one of the first songs to catch my attention while I was multi-tasking. On it Say Anything vocalist Max Bemis occasionally utilizes a gruffer and more immediate side of his vocals, alongside the belting riffs creating something that resembles emo. Yet the song Admit It!!!, which is the last track, was the first song to make me a fan and caused me to place the album on repeat for several days. Just as every other song does, Admit It!!! frequently alters course; but never falters. It begins by tearing down and then mocking artsy, intellectual elitists; eventually forcefully assuring everyone that he is confident and unswayable, eliciting chills and goose bumps. “Molly Connolly just broke up with me over the revealing nature of the songs, you god damned kids had best be gracious with the lunch money you spend, cuz for you I won’t ever have rough sex with Molly Connolly again.� Those lyrics belong to the playful, catchy Every Man Has A Molly.

If you have an eclectic, rock palate and are looking for something that can’t be placed in a stylistic template, I urge you to give this album a try (many tries in fact). Although I enjoyed it from the get go it has taken many listens to truly appreciate the individual songs and to place this album on a pedestal beyond simply enjoyable.

Album Rating: 7.8/10

Sounds like pretty solid alt-pop.

28/10.
15,000 stars.
amazing album.