Say Anything Album: “...Is a Real Boy [Bonus LP]”

The mainstream label debut of Say Anything is, in most respects, a real gem of deliciously sinful postmodern originality. It's suburban to the very core, almost comparable to the best qualities of The Bloodhound Gang with just a tinge of the self-honesty of Bright Eyes. A merging of those two bands would likely yield offspring comparable to ...Is a Real Boy (and it's sister disc, the slightly darker ...Was a Real Boy). Musically speaking the disc reflects painstakingly crafted pop production with scintilating rythms and hooks which are accentuated to the point of dark irony by frontman Max Bemis's devilishly engaging lyrical debauchery. It is in fact the lyrics which separate Say Anything from the hoardes of Hollister Era mall-core pop-punk outfits of the current times, for they reflect fiery vitriol unmatched by a good number of much more "hardcore" outfits. When Bemis's pen touches the pad it goes captivating places, from the bleak plasticization of the sexual experience through the mechanical anonymity of the internet as a medium for forming new relationships on "Wow I can get sexual too" to the shades and dimensions of drug-induced protcrastination as a sole means for inspiration on "Red Cat/Yellow Cat". There is indeed a ferocity on some of the songs that recalls the merging of rawness and production on albums like "Appetite for Destruction" with blistering thrashers like "Little Girls" and "Every Man has a Molly". Creature-horror lyrics as an analogy for sexual dependence makes "Spidersong" an especially twisted variation on a normally PG-13 genre of music and songwriting, and produces yet another standalone banger which can be played again and again. The succint message that Bemis is broadcasting seems pertinent enough, the recognition of banality, the transformation of malaise and frustration into inspiration and progress, the dismissal of superficiality and snooty postmodern intellectual entrenchment (Admit It is a vitriolic attack on the modern dumbed-down intellectual "elite" that carries a fire and energy rarely even grazed by tired modern pop music, overproduced and overplasticized. Say Anything is a compelling portrait of the mechanical, devoid face of modern American culture that is at times horrifying, but ultimatley beautiful in the end, as love prevails.

Let me NOT write "this is SO AWESOME, every one should buy this!"... I'll be a bit more helpful: How can you classify this band? Its kind of punk, sorta indie... who knows, who cares? This is truely original and stands out from other break-out punk and power-pop bands of late. Max Bemis' unique voice and thoughtful lyrics are what really make the album, that along with each song having two or three movements. Its one of those that you can listen to over and over and not get bored and not even want to skip over certain tracks. Each one is great. I recomend it to anyone who likes music (at all).

Max Bemis is a lyrical genius. Enough said. I had this CD originally when it was released through Doghouse Records about a year and a half ago, it was incredible then and it never left my CD player. I STILL listen to it everyday, it's that good of a CD. It's refreshing to hear a band that doesn't sound like every other generic over produced pop-punk band. With the re-release of ...Is A Real Boy, we also get ...Was A Real Boy. "Wow, I Can Be Sexual Too" is a funny song that provides a good laugh for those who listen to it. The other previously unreleased songs also shine in each of their own ways. Max Bemis may have his own issues in his own head; maybe that's why he had to go into rehab for his social anxiety disorders, but the one's he puts on record are simply amazing. This might be my favorite CD that I own.

There is a time in everyone's life when you find something you just can't get enough of. Have it be a person, food, or item. I learned of Say Anything's music a while before the album was realeased, and enjoyed it automatically. On the day of it's release, i devoured the contents it had to offer, and wanted more. ...Is a Real Boy is so full of energetic powerful songs that are absolutely breathtaking. The songwriting is perfect, and Max Bemis's humor is side-splitting. This is the album that ended the era of pop-punk [...] that is sold to mallrats. Not only does Say Anything's music make fun of the "genre" it was put into, it kills all the critics who dismiss their music as pop-punk for the tween set. Take my word for it, this stuff is not talking about wanting to slit wrists and hook up with a girl who you know you have no chance with. this music is REAL. "Admit It!" dismisses the critics and scene kids who change their style like they change their underwear. By using humor, Say Anything's music has reached thousands of fans who have been waiting for a band to open thier eyes to the real world. I am proud to say that i am blessed to have a band like Say Anything in my life. This album and band are by far one of my favorites, and it will be for years to come.

Not to sound like another raving cult-fan, but anyone who rates this CD anything below 4 stars is insane. The sheer emotion radiating from the album is spectacular enough without its heartfelt and catchy lyrics. It manages to invent its own genre, a fusion of emo, punk, rock, and some pop, which is very easy on the ears.

Max recently cancelled the Say Anything tour again, in order to recover from another breakdown, and thus the CD won't be rereleased for some time, but when it gets put out again, you can bet i'll be the first one to buy it!

Get Better Max!