Post by rachel on Jun 13, 2008 12:09:58 GMT -5
Say Anything - In Defense of the Genre
So, the reason it took me so long to write this review has something to do with the length of time it took all 27 tracks off the double disc album to sink in. The first time I listened to the album, (shuffling through because I was too excited to sit through a whole song with 26 more to go) I pretty much flipped out. I even went to the extent of putting “In Defense of the Genre > Tell All Your Friends?” in various locations on the internet. I’ve now come to find out that was a complete exaggeration (but not so far off).
As if it wasn’t a treat in itself to have 27 tracks for the price of 13, the album is awesome. The whole deal with releasing songs one by one on myspace/purevolume/itunes etc., was awesome, but most of those songs aren’t even the best ones (and you may know that those early ones are awesome). But anyway, the album starts off with Skinny, Mean Man, old news, NEXT. No Soul has a really sweet piano in the chorus and a little sample from Juicy Fruit by James Mtume, or more widely known from the B.I.G. version. It is one of my faves so far. One thing that I felt while getting used to all these songs on the first disc is that a lot of them have a show tune feel, i.e. This is f**king Ecstasy, Retarded in Love, and even Shiksa in a way. It’s either because of the bouncy, choppy piano, or because Max’s voice just has it. I like it either way.
Next, for the record I need to say that Died A Jew’s opening guitar riff sounds like it could have been taken straight from CKY. That is something I have never heard a band duplicate, CKY is really unique. It’d be cool if it was on purpose. I really, really enjoy An Insult to the Dead. Once the chorus kicks in on that track it becomes immediately awesome. The slight drums are powerful, and Max’s singing is heartfelt just like I like it. And last but not least for disc 1, Sorry Dudes, My Bad should have its own entire review. One, because it features the music king Chris Conley, and it has a great meaning behind it involving Max’s whole bi-polar freak out (that he has successfully overcome!). Not to mention its one of those songs you hear once, and sing all day wondering what the hell song it is.
Disc 2, unfortunately, hasn’t grown on me as much as disc 1, because 1 has been in my car CD player for 6 days, and 2 has been stowed away in my bedroom. HOWEVER, The Truth is, You Should Lie With Me is my second fave track off the entire album, even despite its very Green Day-ish opening. It has cute piano (piano wins me over every time). It’s catchy too. The World You Wield starts out boring, but through the song gets so good. Say Anything is very good at this tactic, it’s the kind of plan that makes albums grow on you and have staying power when they finally do.
After Spores the second disc is non-stop goodness. Spores has one of the most fun opening lines ever. Have At Thee is craziness requiring a lot of jumping (if you’re standing when you hear it) when the chorus kicks in. Goodbye Young Tutor is beautiful like An Insult to the Dead, and makes me happy that we get the bands soft side. Lastly, I think Plea is the perfect closing track. At first it’s boring, yeah, but listen to it about four times and you will get it. Both Ken Vassoli and Haylie Williams sing on it. I love Kenny, so it was a given that when he started singing I’d be in love with this track. I also am convinced there is an excerpt from the Shoes video in here (seriously just listen in the background for the “oh. Oh. OH.” Those shoes are mine betch!!) This song picks up, and up, and up, and then up before the album ends and you automatically want to start it over. At least I did! Seriously just go BUY this album man. It’s quite the epic piece of music, and features tons of amazing artists.
So, the reason it took me so long to write this review has something to do with the length of time it took all 27 tracks off the double disc album to sink in. The first time I listened to the album, (shuffling through because I was too excited to sit through a whole song with 26 more to go) I pretty much flipped out. I even went to the extent of putting “In Defense of the Genre > Tell All Your Friends?” in various locations on the internet. I’ve now come to find out that was a complete exaggeration (but not so far off).
As if it wasn’t a treat in itself to have 27 tracks for the price of 13, the album is awesome. The whole deal with releasing songs one by one on myspace/purevolume/itunes etc., was awesome, but most of those songs aren’t even the best ones (and you may know that those early ones are awesome). But anyway, the album starts off with Skinny, Mean Man, old news, NEXT. No Soul has a really sweet piano in the chorus and a little sample from Juicy Fruit by James Mtume, or more widely known from the B.I.G. version. It is one of my faves so far. One thing that I felt while getting used to all these songs on the first disc is that a lot of them have a show tune feel, i.e. This is f**king Ecstasy, Retarded in Love, and even Shiksa in a way. It’s either because of the bouncy, choppy piano, or because Max’s voice just has it. I like it either way.
Next, for the record I need to say that Died A Jew’s opening guitar riff sounds like it could have been taken straight from CKY. That is something I have never heard a band duplicate, CKY is really unique. It’d be cool if it was on purpose. I really, really enjoy An Insult to the Dead. Once the chorus kicks in on that track it becomes immediately awesome. The slight drums are powerful, and Max’s singing is heartfelt just like I like it. And last but not least for disc 1, Sorry Dudes, My Bad should have its own entire review. One, because it features the music king Chris Conley, and it has a great meaning behind it involving Max’s whole bi-polar freak out (that he has successfully overcome!). Not to mention its one of those songs you hear once, and sing all day wondering what the hell song it is.
Disc 2, unfortunately, hasn’t grown on me as much as disc 1, because 1 has been in my car CD player for 6 days, and 2 has been stowed away in my bedroom. HOWEVER, The Truth is, You Should Lie With Me is my second fave track off the entire album, even despite its very Green Day-ish opening. It has cute piano (piano wins me over every time). It’s catchy too. The World You Wield starts out boring, but through the song gets so good. Say Anything is very good at this tactic, it’s the kind of plan that makes albums grow on you and have staying power when they finally do.
After Spores the second disc is non-stop goodness. Spores has one of the most fun opening lines ever. Have At Thee is craziness requiring a lot of jumping (if you’re standing when you hear it) when the chorus kicks in. Goodbye Young Tutor is beautiful like An Insult to the Dead, and makes me happy that we get the bands soft side. Lastly, I think Plea is the perfect closing track. At first it’s boring, yeah, but listen to it about four times and you will get it. Both Ken Vassoli and Haylie Williams sing on it. I love Kenny, so it was a given that when he started singing I’d be in love with this track. I also am convinced there is an excerpt from the Shoes video in here (seriously just listen in the background for the “oh. Oh. OH.” Those shoes are mine betch!!) This song picks up, and up, and up, and then up before the album ends and you automatically want to start it over. At least I did! Seriously just go BUY this album man. It’s quite the epic piece of music, and features tons of amazing artists.