Say Anything - Anarchy, My Dear

Back in my teen years I went to an Anti-Flag (who also have an album coming out this month) show at the Phoenix opening for them were Rise Against, and Say Anything. I thought they were lame.

They release their fifth full length album today. Yes, you heard correctly, this very day. Since that faithful day at the Phoenix I wrote this band off. Completely. I'm sure the extensive list of former members just might agree with me.

BUT

They're back with another one and to say the least, it's an album.

Initial thoughts:
- sigh
- sounds like highschool kids
- I hated this shit in highschool
- if I close my eyes all I see is kids with hair swooped down one eye, wearing neon everything, while they try on their little sisters tightest pair of jeans...

Singer Max Bemis has been the heart and soul of the group since it began. He sounds like a very clever guy. Extremely creative style of writing with a keen sense of imagery but a evident lack of conviction. It's almost like their music is filled with social criticisms but offer no real direction for their angst. Other than screw uptight aristocrat types. But yeah, we know that already.

Rebels without a cause.

The best example I can find for this is in the opening track Burn A Miracle where the lyrics suggest he (Bemis) is some kind of social anomaly that thinks outside the box while everyone else in the world acts like sheep (which is also the name of a song on the album). The words, "burn America if you've got a soul," are shouted as words to follow. Kind of a wishy-washy way of making a statement. With all that being said I did enjoy the first half this song. Less than stoked on the rest.

Some of the songs really do have a lot of clever lines and make me grin but getting over the juvenile approach is the battle of listening to this band. Maybe that's their hook. Who knows. But with a more prolific message, other than 'fuck the world because that's why', these guys could really make some better music. The best song, by far, on the album is Peace Out. A real mellow song about breaking up with a stupid girl. It has some really poetic lyrics and I'm kind of a sucker for ballads.

The artistry is evident in the album's guitar work. At times it's very in your face, while others it's off in the cosmos. I appreciated the effort, if there was any, to mix it up. The production value is also top notch. Everything is clear and mixed very well. No complaints on the technical side of things.

Also, the title track Anarchy, My Dear personifies the idea of anarchy in a love song. Bemis explains how he longs to meet his mistress that is anarchy. But having abandoned my own believe in a more flawed system, or non-system, than any other that is in effect today, this song seems to be excessively ignorant and, word of the day, juvenile.

Needs to grow up a bit but definitely head bob worthy.

DIG IT but it can be STALE at times

My favorite song from the album...enjoy? Maybe not, who cares.



and opening track