Rolling Stone : Say Anything: Say Anything is A Real Boy : Music Reviews

Album Reviews

This barely legal L.A. two-piece peddles razorbacked pop-punk hooks grown in a place songwriter Max Bemis calls the "United States of Woe" -- apparently the rocky middle ground between Bright Eyes and bands like Saves the Day. Full of spittle and spleen and literate means, Bemis disses his own "artful abortions of sound, sealed with a kiss and slathered in the sauce sarcastic" ("The Futile") while Coby Linder's thunderous drumming makes Taylor Hawkins sound limp-wristed. Say Anything is premium emo, with frills: "Alive With the Glory of Love" features doo-wop harmonies, and "I Want to Know Your Plans" has a melodica solo. Nearly a year and a half after the album's indie release, J Records has reissued it with a superlative seven-track bonus disc, which includes "Total Revenge," a scorching torch song their new labelmate Alicia Keys should consider covering.

PETER RELIC

(Posted: Feb 7, 2006)

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Review 1 of 6

1 of 1 found this comment useful ( 100% )

5of 5 Stars

Say Anything...so many words can describe them. AMAZINGGG. <U/>BEST cd i've ever bought. Seen them in concert.Very Awesome. I think that EVERYONE should own this cd.

Apr 19, 2007 16:27:31

Review 2 of 6

0 of 0 found this comment useful ( 0% )

4of 5 Stars

Emo? What the hell? I personally am fond of emo (I'm not ashamed to admit I like acts like Taking Back Sunday and The All American Rejects) so I know it when its there and I DON'T neccessarily think its a bad thing. But this is not emo. Its sort of like the love child of punk and indie. Lovely album btw

Apr 11, 2007 19:15:03

Review 3 of 6

1 of 1 found this comment useful ( 100% )

5of 5 Stars

To cast these guys into the emo lot is like calling the Red Hot Chili Peppers a rap-metal band. Sure, it has a punk influence and it has some emoesque lyrics, but it's so much more than that. These songs are well thought out compositions with clever and playful lyrics, spat out in a unique style by Max Bemis. He almost sounds like Tom Delonge, if Tom had balls. The drumming is powerful yet tasteful. The hooks are unique and plentiful. Since I bought this cd, it's been on regular rotation on my stereo and mp3 player. It pushes the limits while retaining quality and remaining listenable. Great album.

Jan 24, 2007 12:44:26

Review 4 of 6

18 of 18 found this comment useful ( 100% )

5of 5 Stars

Emo? Please. Did this person even listen to the cd? ...Is a Real Boy is an original, ambitious, almost bombastic rock opera. Every song has at least three parts, and every song is equally amazing. Comparing them to a band like Saves the Day is blasphemy. This is one of the most inspired releases by any band that I've heard in the past two years.

Sep 6, 2006 10:16:42

Review 5 of 6

1 of 1 found this comment useful ( 100% )

5of 5 Stars

Literate guitar pop, does not sound at all like mall punk. Imagine XTC for a new emo audience. Very clever and self-conscious. I like the two lyrical themes that crop up throughout: "Hey hey" and "woe woe" (NOT woah woah). Although it's a concept album, every song stands on its own and has hooks galore. I love this because it does not sound like anything else out there but it's very accessible. A shining light!

Aug 25, 2006 19:29:29

Review 6 of 6

0 of 0 found this comment useful ( 0% )

5of 5 Stars

I think this CD is simply amazing!!! You are a fool if u dont buy this CD. They have the most abnormal sounding guitar pieces but its a sound i have never heard of, a hell of a voice, and they are striaght up just awesome. BUY THIS CD IT WILL BLOW YOU AWAY!!!

Aug 6, 2006 19:21:17