Review 1 of 8

RyGuy86 writes:

5of 5 Stars

I have been waiting for this cd since before the re-issue of
"...Is a Real Boy," so my hopes were pretty high. At first listen,
it struck me as uninspired and extremely generic, without any
of the bombastic, over-the-top, rock opera outrageousness
of the prior release. After listening a couple more times
though, I've come to realize this album's greatness. While not
as instantly gratifying as "...Is a Real Boy," this album
seamlessly meshes elements from all different niches of rock
from the past 15 years, and is an extremely personal and
anthemic experience. It might be tempting to do otherwise,
but give it a couple listens before writing it off as just another
emo cd. It is so much more than that.

Nov 2, 2007 18:13:16

Review 2 of 8

RachelYourAStar writes:

5of 5 Stars

I've never done one of these before but I'll give it a try. Well I love say anything so maybe I'm a little biased but I think Max really out did himself here. He really hits it hard with the words and the sounds. When I first hear Skinny Mean Man I was a little confused but as I kept listening I got it more and more. This guys is venting, you know with his disease and all it must be hard to find something to release all of that, so his music is his vent and I have immense respect for that. You can hate it, but don't diss Max, he's just doing what he does best. :)

Oct 31, 2007 07:08:22

Review 3 of 8

pahundley writes:

5of 5 Stars

While a bit pale in comparison to "...Is a Real Boy" (the band's debut album), Say Anything does something that very few modern Punk bands seem to accomplish---an attention-getting, personal record. At it's best (Skinny, Mean Man) the record lets itself be at sometimes too honest, but its something that bands don't have the balls to do anymore. Kudos to lead singer Max Bemis and the gang for making an expansive record almost Blood on the Tracks-ish, with cameos that don't suck and polished. Radiohead isn't this, but this fills some voids they leave out.

Oct 28, 2007 19:04:51

Review 4 of 8

MrDeadite writes:

4of 5 Stars

Well, pavement, anyone's musical tastes are going to change when they decide to become a pitchfork whore such as yourself. The pretentiousness held in your statement about Radiohead's new album is one of the funniest things I've ever read. You want to be a "good" fan of music? Then accept that there is decent music being made in every genre, and even if it's not your cup of tea, according to the genre's rules, it's not bad. While no one is going to accuse Say Anything of being avant-garde, they are doing something good within the whole pop-rock/alt-punk scene.

Oct 27, 2007 10:16:43

Review 5 of 8

pavement writes:

1of 5 Stars

thisisanfield- it is laughable that you think this could be one of the best releases of the decade. You realize radiohead just put out an album right. If you want to listen to something that was a truely important piece of music listen to Nuetral Milk Hotels in an aeroplane over the sea. The fact is music tastes change with age, I am sure you are like 15 now and think say anything is Avant Garde, and I am also sure that when you are 25 you will be waxing poetic about Broken Social Scene. Thats Life and this album was uninspiring

Oct 25, 2007 12:04:18

Review 6 of 8

swiftrift writes:

5of 5 Stars

Bruce Springsteen is dead. 'Nuff said.

Oct 24, 2007 09:51:41

Review 7 of 8

thisisanfield writes:

5of 5 Stars

First of all, the actual review by rolling stone wasn't even a review. It says that this is an emo album, and that one of the songs is a showtune. It proceeds to then talk about how max sucks at relationships. It finally gives an ambiguous 3/5 stars, with no real reason. Did you even listen to the cd? First of all, if you somehow thing that Kid Rock's new disc is better music than the worst song Max Bemis ever wrote, you should retire right now. Granted, this is a rather large departure from the basement recorded goodness of the Say Anything of old. However, this does not mean it is a step back. The lyrics in songs such as the Skinny Man, such as "You held a book burning in your back yard, while your parents looked from their window, slightly scarred..." show that he still has the same genius showed in previous efforts. Another great part of this album is the inclusion of cameos from the biggest names in alt/punk today. For me, the biggest plus is the vocals from Hayley Williams of Paramore. On The Church Channel, her deep voice simply striking.
Overall, while there may not be the blatant "F*CK the world" motif from albums such as Was a Real Boy..., this album is absolutely golden. 27 tracks of music better than anything the masses are putting out these days, sure. But if it was compressed into 12 songs, we would be calling this one of the decades best releases (Not that I am in favor of this, because I love them all, just suggesting that the masses wont..."

Oct 18, 2007 10:00:09

Review 8 of 8

drowningbynumber writes:

4of 5 Stars

For starters, fuck you Christian Hoard. You might just be the most apathetic reviewer in the history of the magazine. Is there an album you actually like you pompous asshole? It seems that every review you have ever written is under thought and over generalized, would it fucking kill you to listen to an album? Now that I've gotten that out of my system I will attempt to give my review of this album. I am not, nor have I ever been a huge fan of Say Anything, yet I can appreciate what they are doing. The band has a sound that is distinct, which I find refreshing in the era of over produced bands packaged for record labels to use. The album is filled with guest spots from major players in today's rock scene. Everyone from Adam Lazzara to Pete Yorn to Gerard Way to Hayley Williams is on this album, what a nice touch. This is a fun double album. It is a little off beat and a little out of the usual, but that's what makes it lovable.

Oct 17, 2007 19:38:26