I don’t see Say Anything as being a ‘big’ band within the scene (I saw them in the UK on their last headlining tour and there were literally 70 people there), yet this album has gone down as being one of the most anticipated releases of the year. Don’t get me wrong, I’m massively excited for it, but I’m a little bewildered at how SA have got so big so fast (or maybe they haven’t and I’ve completely missed something). Anyway, ‘In Defense of the Genre’ is a two-disc behemoth of a record which, frankly, is absolutely brilliant. Max Bemis’ songwriting style is as chaotic as ever, brassy and bold, yet unique as songwriting can be, he plays up on his ‘madness’ and stories of being a mental wreck and this makes for an interesting and intriguing end result. If you think the prospect of 89-minutes and two discs
is a little too much, you may be surprised to learn there’s very little filler here. While there are some decidely odd songs (the first four really splutter along and ruin the flow), once it gets going the Tim Kinsella-referenced album really hits the high notes.
If anything, Max and co have nailed their songwriting style on this album. Everything seems a bit shorter, often choruses are shaved off to keep things neat and compact. Some songs don’t even make the three minute mark, for instance. While the lyrical subject remains similar to ‘…Is A Real Boy’, there’s more progression in the storyline. That also brings me to the special guest appearances, of which there are dozens. Chris Conley of Saves The Day and Anthony Ranieri from Bayside stick out as two excellent contributors, but it’s Hayley Williams’ vocals in ‘The Church Channel’ which will have boys going weak at the knees. It’s a great song anyway and the real kick-start this record needs. Followed up by the awesome ‘Baby I’m A Blur’ Say Anything have managed to keep a 20+ song release sounding pretty fresh my mixing up the styles and genres.
Disc 2 picks up the pace and the aggression – and the levels of insanity – as Max references his need for prescription drugs and his issues with women. His often-ranty style of vocal delivery is strangely endearing, if a little uncomfortable, but that’s what makes Say Anything so damn good. ‘In Defense of the Genre’ lives up to expectations and in places even exceeds them. It builds on the best bits of the last album and improves on them. Listening to this record from start to finish is advisable, it’s a fantastic record and one which I am sure will make the yearly top 10 best ofs.