Say Anything - ... is a Real Boy

[Jason Tate]

Say Anything - ... is a Real Boy
Release Date: August 3rd, 2004
Record Label: Doghouse Records

There is a subtle irony that those humble artists and songwriters who would consider themselves of average intellectual "musical" capacity are usually those who provide the most genius and musical evolutionary leaps in their work. Those forefathers (names such as Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, John Lennon and Paul McCartney come to mind), were able to capture an attitude and honesty of a generation and its environmental surroundings, and bottle this into a musical vessel that will transcend the tests of time. Please return your seat backs and tray tables to their full and upright positions - a similiar musical actualization may have just taken place right in front of our very eyes. The hyperbole found herein is in no way supposed to be taken as an act of "hype," but instead should be construed as my emotions and thoughts as best as I can seem to construct them into words.

Much like those history vindicated musical prophets, it takes a culmination of sly wit and risk taking to step into a terrain not common place in the music industry. When formulas and hooks are more important than the art of making music, and telling the honest story of life, it takes, like nature, a mutant or variation to force an evolutionary transformation. Say Anything is unlike any band you have so far heard. Or at the very least they are unlike anything I have ever heard. Gruff vocals, gang chants, and blistering melody are common place. The sounds of an off strummed acoustic guitar and an out of place beat will drive you batty on first listen - but as you finally set in and accept your fate you will find the hidden genius in every line. Could this be the shape of music to come? With the fear of falling short of calling this band the second coming, I find it necessary to simply alleviate my personal feelings and try to elucidate the reasons to why this album could very well become the 'Deja Entendu" of 2004 (this comparison should give many of our return readers a glimpse into my love for this album), or may one day be considered the soundtrack to an underground generation, and why my colorful descriptions and flawed metaphors are probably the antithesis of everything this album stands for.

And the record begins with a song of rebellion. It takes nine words to kick start the album into a consequential storyline of brooding angst, hate, love, sex, drugs, and life. It's essential the listener be able to sit back and soak in every poignant line spit forth, and every pause for breath be realized. I think it will be interesting to see how major music publications see this album and whether their journalists will be able take in the music for what it is before passing it off. The album opener starts the foot taping, starts the head bobbing and you can't help but want to sing along to every "whoa." From the opening song it's immediately apparent the control over the written and sung word this young man holds. It's not going to be the first time social commentary is cleverly disguised and pushed through the listener's speakers.

By the second song it is perceptible that the band has a grasp on crafting songs that do not follow a formula, or insult the listener by maintaining a hold on one particular style or sound. As lyrics are sung with such lines as, "she took pity on me, horizontally, but most likely because of my band," the brutal honesty bleeds through. It's nothing like you would expect to hear, it's the brash intelligence of Bright Eyes combined with a deceptively rock and roll / blues soul. Who in their right mind would have the gall and brilliance to say something like, "and she said I can't get laid in this town without these pointy fucking shoes.." it's simply something regular artists don't come up with; it takes a special breed.

The Writhing South brings forth thoughts of Kerouac and how his words may have sounded to music as if "On the Road" could be translated to song. Is this supercilious commentary? No, I mean every word.

The rest of the album continues from here. Combining, weaving, and intertwining all of the above aspects into every song. Some stand outs are:

"Yellow Cat / Red Cat" and its pounding bass drum beat united with an adroit technique of using words to paint a salient portrait of modern society, it will surly drive the listener to salivate with each line.

"Futile" contains honesty and witty satire with words like, "eat, sleep, fuck and flee - 4 words, that's me," and "What do the old people teach you but how to die? What do your hissy fits teach you except how to cry? Cry, pussy, cry." I expect some of the words to be taken in the wrong context by some, and the meaning completely lost on others.

"An Orgy of Critics" is a pure incarnation of rock and roll unlike anything I'm sure you have experienced before.

"Molly" contains a chorus and handclaps (I am such a sucker for handclaps) that will ingrain themselves permanently into your brain. Not since Jenny (867-5309) has a girl's name been so perfectly immortalized in the lyrics of a song.

"Chia, Like It Grows" made me (again) envious of the band's debut mastery with an opening line of, "I've watched you all succeed with the highest marks in greed. And my teeth cut names into their ivory membranes..."

"I Want To Know Your Plans" swirls the obligatory acoustic ballad with the pain of knowing the one you love is leaving, and how do you deal with that certainty? I have been at both ends of these lines, and nothing has ever come close to placing my thoughts into lyrics the way this song does. Try not to feel the ache, I dare you.

The album ends with "Admit It" which I guarantee you will go down as one of the most potent commentaries on our, or the intellectual, or the hipster, or the latte sipping pseudo-hippy scene in recent history. This song alone proves just how Max's voice may very well become the timeless entity of our lives,"You know nothing about art or sex that you couldn't read in any trendy New York underground fashion magazine. Prototypical non-conformist ... You adhere to a set of standards and tastes that appear to be determined by an unseen panel of hipster judges (bullshit). Giving a thumbs up or thumbs down to incoming and outgoing trends and styles of music and art -- Oh we're not worthy when you walk by a group of quote unquote "normal" people. You chuckle to yourself patting yourself on the back as you scoff with the same superiority complex shared by the high school jocks who made your life a living hell, and it makes you a slave to the "competitive capitalist dogma" you spend every moment of your waking life bitching about."

If you sit there and read those last lines and go, "holy shit, that was amazing" this album will become your favorite record of all time. If you said, "that was kind of cool," you'll dig the melodies and beats and this album will grow on you with every listen. If you said, "what, I don't fucking get it ..." or "that was lame" then you will probably like the music at face value only. The truth is with every listen I find another double meaning for a lyric, another hidden lampoon on life, and another reason why I love this album. The most engaging thought of all however is trying to decipher exactly what meanings are behind every song. Sardonic voices may preach the answer in the very lines of the songs we analyze, with Twain-like satire and Swift-like wit, "Well let me tell you this, I am shamelessly self-involved. I spend hours in front of the mirror, making my hair elegantly disheveled. I worry about how this album will sell because I believe that it will determine the amount of sex I will have in the future. Cause I'm proud of my life and the things that I have done, proud of myself and the loner I've become. You're free to whine, it will not get you far - I do just fine, my car and my guitar."

Band Website: www.sayanythingmusic.com (http://www.sayanythingmusic.com)
Band Mp3s: www.purevolume.com/sayanything (http://www.purevolume.com/sayanything)

[amillionmiles]

I just started listening to say anything not too long ago when introduced to them thro a friend, personally I think this album is pretty good.

[mysensesfailed3]

I agree with this reveiw 99 percent. I only think you should have added a little more on the absoluteley breathtaking song Max Bemis calls I want to know your plans.

[Jentheoptimist]

It's weird to think that their are people out there who haven't heard this album. They know not what they are missing.

[weezer182]

great great great album

[Blake Solomon]

I just started listening after I saw this review re-posted and i cant believe that Ive lived my life thus far without hearing this masterpiece. Great Review dude....

[crzydrmmer]

I heard this album a last year, and thought it wasnt bad, and revisited it a couple months ago... i listen to them daily now, "...is a real boy" is the deja entendu of 2004... i dont understand how anyone can have the capacity to write a song as amazing as any song on that album

[dildosagginss]

You obviously dont know what an adjective is or how to use one. I hope you arent planning on pursuing any sort of career that involves writing unless you get a really good editor friend. Your review reminded me of the type of exaggeration I would see on pitchfork, except most of your sentences consist of incomplete thoughts. That said, the album is pretty good-not comparable to the beatles though. get real

[lucky_krystle]

well i am actually having a hard time finding it... probably will just have to order it online.

[DaveFeelsRight]

I agree with you 100%, all the fucking way.

[TyroneShoolaces]

It no doubt ranks in my Top 5 favorite albums of all time.
The older Say Anything like Menora/Majora is just as fun.

[1000shadesofred]

how about you people, have u even heard of sat anything's first albums... yeah ive known them from the start... this album doesnt suprise me cause i knew these guys were amazing from the beginning

[TyroneShoolaces]

how about you people, have u even heard of sat anything's first albums... yeah ive known them from the start... this album doesnt suprise me cause i knew these guys were amazing from the beginning

oh god.
you knew about Say Anything before us.
we aren't real fans.

[newfoundnorcal]

seriously. get over it. who cares? i knew about them a long time ago too but there is no need to be ridiculous.
someone once told me that they don't support the band the junior varisty because "junior varsity" is one of say anything's earlier albums and so out of respect for SA they couldn't like TJV.
you sound a lot like that person. that is, you aren't using reason to make your statements.

anyway, best buy doesn't carry it anymore at most locations from what i understand, so that kind of sucks,
but i guess at this point it's better just to wait for the re-release on j.

[kshtoinks12]

if only there were women like this album :(

[baron162]

how about you people, have u even heard of sat anything's first albums... yeah ive known them from the start... this album doesnt suprise me cause i knew these guys were amazing from the beginning

yeah well, i've followed say anything from the beginning too...but this album is really very different from their older stuff. the lyrics and instrumentation are more inventive, although their older stuff is a little eclectic too. i had no idea what to expect when i bought this album, and i was a little surprised that it wasn't like "the last great punk rock song" (the first say anything song i ever heard) or anything else...but wow, this album is in constant rotation in my car and it seems like i only appreciate it more and more as time goes on.

looking forward to seeing them in april!

[whiteboypain]

I finally got this album. It is excellent.

[hobbes2809]

damnit damnit damnit, I went to rate the album all tens, but accidentally forgot to change the vocals before I submitted it, and left it at .5

Jason can you change my vote at all to make it all 10's? I dont want my mistake to bring down the average

[Alex DiVincenzo]

My favorite album in a long time. Perfect 10/10. Max is one of my favorite songwriters.

[kevin_ishere]

this album changed with my way of thinking

[krustyy]

fucking awesome record.

[fredrico0012]

I'm going to pick this up tommorow.

[James Hale]

11/10. My favorite record... EVER. I think this record is perfectly writin by Max and the crew. I havent stopped listening to it for the past year. His talents are so true and make people want to connect to him so badly. Everyone starts questoining themselves after listening to this album because thats just what it does to you. Listen to Admit It and think about how fuckin hypocritical you are. Some of the best songwrinting I've heard since Sublime.

[TheCaptain]

one of the best records ever.

[spartanfan10]

Fantastic record. Great live show. Just amazing band. I listened to this one for at least a month straight.

[tommyhaych]

One of the best albums ever.

[mrahmad666]

buying this today!

[Trick Nasty]

how about you people, have u even heard of sat anything's first albums... yeah ive known them from the start... this album doesnt suprise me cause i knew these guys were amazing from the beginning


you're a badass

[kevin_ishere]

favourit band of all time

[dotec3]

I must admit at first i really didn't like say anything. But Max is like a virus with all his catchy melodies. I eventually grew to love him and all the music he made. this album is sweet but i think i like baseball better

[schroet]

i didnt like say anything either initially, because i heard some of the early stuff and found the production (or lack of) offputting. The potential can certainly be heard tho. As for this review, no hyperbole, sums it up perfectly, it really is that good an album. best. album. EVAR.

[theguy77]

dude, i should be sentenced to death for taking so long to get this album.

the description of this album as the new "deja entendu" couldn't be more correct, because it is the ONLY album out there that even comes close. not quite up there but verrrry close.

and, as everyone i've talked to on this site has predicted, my ageless obsession with brand new has come in conjunction with my new obsession with say anything. and if i ever make a difference this large with the music i make, i would give every bit of the credit to these two bands and these two legendary albums.

P.S. max bemis is ridiculously creative. of course his blunt, cunning, witty, deep, and brutally honest lyrics are the most obvious aspect of his genius, especially because of the powerful way he sings them. but once you become intimate with such incredible lines and you move to the music, i mean not even boys night out has been able to make two completely abstract moving guitar parts sound so good together. and given that jeff davis is a guitar genius, that's reallys aying something.

[sayanything=luv]

how about you people, have u even heard of sat anything's first albums... yeah ive known them from the start... this album doesnt suprise me cause i knew these guys were amazing from the beginning



Yes, I have heard of their first albums. I admit I didn't until about a year ago, but that doesn't mean I'm less of a fan. I would love to own then but I can't. Do you know why? BECAUSE MAX BEMIS HIMSELF HATES THEM! If you met him at a concert and said, "Hey, guess what! I'm you're only true fan because I have your first CDs." he'd probably tell you they were shit and to throw them away.
So please, just shut up and get off your high horse.

[automatic-stop]

This is a million times better than In Defense.

And In Defense fucking rocks.

[TheDudeOnTheSet]

its alright i heard it once and never listen to it again sooo i didn't like at all

[God damner]

For me, It's the best album since "In Utero". A must for anybody looking for more in the bands of today in the diluted pool of copycatism and fake emotion that has become the rock n' roll mainstream.

[BruisedxBroken]

I see absolutely nothing appealing about this band or record. Bemis has an interesting voice, and wow i can get sexual too is simplistic and catchy. Aside from that, i really don't get the hype...at all...

[bummm]

I don't really get it either, but I love Max's voice a lot.

[tpnations]

It's interesting to see that I wasn't the only person to listen to the album and be put off initially. Back in 2004 I really enjoyed "Admit It" but little else. Fast forward to the beginning of 2008. At the recommendation of a friend ("dude, quit fucking around and listen to it again") I tried it out again and fell in love instantly. Not a day goes by where I don't listen to at least one song off of this.

[Dan CiTi]

Admit It!!! makes me cringe, except for that this album is top tier.

[1021]

i was a little disappointed to not see anything written about "alive with the glory of love". it's true, that even though it's become the most popular song, almost every other song on this album is just as good. however, the one thing about "alive" is that, i think, it perfectly sums up all say anything is. it's abrasive, it's catchy; it's got max's signature growl-singing as well as his poignant lyrics that also involve sex.. it's got everything! quintessential say anything. so, yes, i would've liked to have heard something about "alive with the glory of love".

aside from that, though, an EXCELLENT review, and '...is a real boy' is undoubtedly deserving of this rating. amazing album. amazing.

[lightcollapse]

Album is still perfect. The future of music.

[hochtk]

Amazing album. Quintessential pop/punk (or whatever you wanna call it). Say anything are the only reason I haven't given up on this genre of music, although In Defense of The Genre wasn't that great. Here's to hoping Saves the Day can figure things out on there new one! (But they'll never do a "Stay what you are" again) :(

[c_rob2700]

No other piece of art puts my emotions into words so perfectly. I found absolutely nothing wrong with comparing Max to such legends. I don't know about anyone else, but to me, he is the voice of this generation

I agree with this review, 100 fucking percent

[TheSkyline]

This album is still perfect...

[raptorz44]

Just listened to this all the way through for the first time last night...


Holy shit this is one of the greatest albums I have ever listened to.

[Holly HoX!]

I was looking through the popular review and came across this one...I didn't read through the whole thing (sorry, Jason), but that wasn't the point. I knew/got what Jason was trying to say and the fact of the matter is, just looking at the numbers, there isn't a more accurate review on this site. This record speaks so many truths and pushes more buttons than I ever even imagined. This is great piece of work and I will always be honored to put someone on to this record. It is just that good. That being said, I was very, very disappointed by In Defense of the Genre compared with Is A Real Boy... I hope they can bring something back back with the self-titled release. I'm not sure what that something is, but I want it.

If I was going to compare this album's rawness and melodic sound to anything it would be - - -

Weatherbox - American Art (There are times when I think Brian Warren is a better lyricist. Disagree? Check out Trippin' The Life Fantastic.)

Anyway, Is A Real Boy... is one of the albums in my library that I would need to grab is all my shit was going up in flames. If you are reading this review, checking the band/record out for the first time and you are reading the commnets, please do yourself a favor and buy/download/steal this album. NOW!!!

[Burn That Shit]

How can anyone objectively give this album a 99%?

[circatbs]

lol

[yayitsjoe]

i still love this album. and it still doesn't get old.


in other news, this review is perfect. good job.

[nlcentralchamps]

I loved this review.

Awesome record.

[insertmoniker47]

This album changed how I think about music...for the better.

The only thing missing from this review is that last 1%

[jco3]

how about you people, have u even heard of sat anything's first albums... yeah ive known them from the start... this album doesnt suprise me cause i knew these guys were amazing from the beginning
Admit it !!!

[1000shadesofred]

hahaahhah nice nice... i just realized i wrote that comment drunk before

[WatchThemSuffer]

It's one of the greatest albums out there.
Meaning in every word.

[Beardy]

hahaahhah nice nice... i just realized i wrote that comment drunk before

don't try to save face... you're just an arrogant asshole who doesn't want people to think that's what you are...

[1000shadesofred]

its not arrogance, i just know im more important than you... haha

[Beardy]

its not arrogance, i just know im more important than you... haha
or... (which this is the more likely of the two) you don't get alot of attention so you think that since you heard of a band first then that automatically makes you a bigger fan when that is not true... that's almost as funny as your future alcohol abuse...

[stereokiller]

How can anyone objectively give this album a 99%?
becase holy shit, that was amazing.

seriously this is record is mind blowing. my fav track is Woe easily.

i think it's more of a 96 or 95 but i'm not writing the review around here so, yeah. if the reviewer thinks it's a 99, then it's a 99. it's HIS opinion after all.

such an amazing record. better late than never, i guess.

[lolseamus]

i have a friend who is really into say anything. i never listened to this album front to back until this morning. I have to say i can almost completly agree with eveything said about ...is a real boy in this review. i love it ahah

[maker_break]

I see absolutely nothing appealing about this band or record. Bemis has an interesting voice, and wow i can get sexual too is simplistic and catchy. Aside from that, i really don't get the hype...at all...
Wow, dude... we have very, very different tastes.

[madisontuckie34]

One of the best albums ever made in my opinion:)

[Richard Maxim]

Sick.

[Protested Hero]

I love this album so freaking much. I really hope the self-titled holds up.

[Dymytry Vance]

How can anyone objectively give this album a 99%?
Well if you turn the volume to mute you may just be able to get away with it.

[Dymytry Vance]

Wow, dude... we have very, very different tastes.
And so do we. This band is far too overrated. It's simple pop-punk with some alternative influence. The same goes for ETID.(but ETID is metalcore.)

[maker_break]

And so do we. This band is far too overrated. It's simple pop-punk with some alternative influence. The same goes for ETID.(but ETID is metalcore.)
Everything is overrated, right? People really throw the word "overrated" around far too much these days. How is a band overrated? By having more fans than you think they deserve? Is a band better when they're lesser known? Before they amass this certain number of fans to qualify them as "overrated?" So then people want to go around and brag about how "I totally was into this band before they got big, but they're sellouts because people know who they are now!" Give me a break, man. They're a great band, they're doing well for themselves, and people dig them. So you don't like them. Whatever. Don't bitch about it. It just makes you look like a jackass.

[Dymytry Vance]

Everything is overrated, right? People really throw the word "overrated" around far too much these days. How is a band overrated? By having more fans than you think they deserve? Is a band better when they're lesser known? Before they amass this certain number of fans to qualify them as "overrated?" So then people want to go around and brag about how "I totally was into this band before they got big, but they're sellouts because people know who they are now!" Give me a break, man. They're a great band, they're doing well for themselves, and people dig them. So you don't like them. Whatever. Don't bitch about it. It just makes you look like a jackass.
Overrated is an opinion so it's subjective toward the person who calls them overrated. It's not like I'm saying that my opinion is fact. And by the way, being overrated is having more fans than you think they deserve, so.... I wouldn't care if TNTLLY or iwabo, circle takes the square, or camera obscura, or any other underground band I like got huge amounts of fans. I'd still like them as a band. And as I have a right to express my opinion about a band, so do you, so why are you bitching? You basically contradicted yourself throughout that whole post.

[maker_break]

Overrated is an opinion so it's subjective toward the person who calls them overrated. It's not like I'm saying that my opinion is fact. And by the way, being overrated is having more fans than you think they deserve, so.... I wouldn't care if TNTLLY or iwabo, circle takes the square, or camera obscura, or any other underground band I like got huge amounts of fans. I'd still like them as a band. And as I have a right to express my opinion about a band, so do you, so why are you bitching? You basically contradicted yourself throughout that whole post.
First of all, nothing that I said was "bitching." I was simply asking for your opinion and, yes, I was being a bit sarcastic. But do tell how I contradicted myself.

This is what I was saying:
Everyone complains that big name bands are overrated because too many people like them, they get too much recognition when there are other bands who deserve it more, etc. Then they turn around and brag about how they're into the little indie/underground bands no one knows about. Then, if one of those indie/underground bands happen to make a breakthrough and gain more fans, the people bitch and moan about that too and have to remind everyone how they were "into them from the beginning, before they got huge." Because that's so impressive.

This is what I got from what you were saying:
I do not like Say Anything. A whole lot of people do like them, but I don't think that they should. I would prefer that everyone else have the same opinion as me, but I know that I cannot have that kind of influence on people so I'm going to sit on this review board and complain about how popular the band is. I feel that there are a lot of lesser known, underground bands that deserve more recognition than they get. If they were to gain more popularity I wouldn't complain about it because they are actually bands I like. But people shouldn't like the bands I don't like.

Correct me if I'm wrong.

[Dymytry Vance]

First of all, nothing that I said was "bitching." I was simply asking for your opinion and, yes, I was being a bit sarcastic. But do tell how I contradicted myself.

This is what I was saying:
Everyone complains that big name bands are overrated because too many people like them, they get too much recognition when there are other bands who deserve it more, etc. Then they turn around and brag about how they're into the little indie/underground bands no one knows about. Then, if one of those indie/underground bands happen to make a breakthrough and gain more fans, the people bitch and moan about that too and have to remind everyone how they were "into them from the beginning, before they got huge." Because that's so impressive.

This is what I got from what you were saying:
I do not like Say Anything. A whole lot of people do like them, but I don't think that they should. I would prefer that everyone else have the same opinion as me, but I know that I cannot have that kind of influence on people so I'm going to sit on this review board and complain about how popular the band is. I feel that there are a lot of lesser known, underground bands that deserve more recognition than they get. If they were to gain more popularity I wouldn't complain about it because they are actually bands I like. But people shouldn't like the bands I don't like.

Correct me if I'm wrong.
only valid points you made.

[maker_break]

only valid points you made.
So you're saying the only bands that deserve any recognition are bands that you enjoy personally?

[Dymytry Vance]

So you're saying the only bands that deserve any recognition are bands that you enjoy personally?
No, imo there are much better bands than say anything... and about the contradiction.... there can be no overuse of overrated as it is an opinion, you were bitching about people throwing around the word overrated, and there were so many other things wrong in your post I'm not even going to take the time out of my life to explain it all.

[maker_break]

No, imo there are much better bands than say anything... and about the contradiction.... there can be no overuse of overrated as it is an opinion, you were bitching about people throwing around the word overrated, and there were so many other things wrong in your post I'm not even going to take the time out of my life to explain it all.

So you have the time to make an attempt to call me out... but you don't have the time to explain why? Hmm... Let me take the time and explain it in a way you may understand a little better. I was contrasting what people say and claim to believe to the ways they actually act, which I feel makes them look completely ridiculous. You may have read that as me contradicting myself. I apologize.

Okay, now...

If you don't like Say Anything then that's your opinion. Fine by me.

If you think Say Anything is overrated, then that's your opinion. Also fine by me.

I wasn't "bitching about people throwing around the word overrated."

I agree that to describe something as overrated could be nothing more than opinion. When a band is well known, you can expect to hear more conversation about them, whether good or bad. I will admit I do get annoyed when I hear a band get more praise than I feel it deserves. You obviously feel that way about Say Anything. There are plenty of bands that I think are way over-hyped and they have more praise than I think they really deserve. There are bands I absolutely adore that I feel no one really gives a shit about, you know? Then there are bands I think are just terrible and people eat them up. It's like that for every music fan. Everyone has their different tastes, different appreciations. And you're absolutely correct; it is all a matter of opinion. But bitching to someone about how you think a particular band they like is overrated is pretty pointless. You can't "teach" someone to have the same taste as you and appreciate what you like/thrash what you don't.

Also, I would like to point out I wasn't trying to insinuate you are one of "most people" I describe. You stated you wouldn't complain if a band you cared for made it big. But, in my experience, a lot of people think it gives them hipster points and such to drop names and say things like "Oh, I liked them before they were signed/the cool thing/etc." That logic is very similar to that which would be behind a statement such as "That band that everyone likes and I don't is just so overrated..."

Self proclaimed hipsters contradict themselves every day in saying they're into these underground bands no one knows about. They say it's a shame no one listens to such bands because they're so great. Yet if anyone is to actually start listening to the band,, the band isn't so great anymore (at least to the hipster).

Anyway, there was my rather lengthy explanation that I took time out of my pretty busy schedule to write because I felt you deserved one. Didn't want to give you the wrong idea.

-maker_break
(in case you missed it at the top)

[Dymytry Vance]

So you have the time to make an attempt to call me out... but you don't have the time to explain why? Hmm... Let me take the time and explain it in a way you may understand a little better. I was contrasting what people say and claim to believe to the ways they actually act, which I feel makes them look completely ridiculous. You may have read that as me contradicting myself. I apologize.

Okay, now...

If you don't like Say Anything then that's your opinion. Fine by me.

If you think Say Anything is overrated, then that's your opinion. Also fine by me.

I wasn't "bitching about people throwing around the word overrated."

I agree that to describe something as overrated could be nothing more than opinion. When a band is well known, you can expect to hear more conversation about them, whether good or bad. I will admit I do get annoyed when I hear a band get more praise than I feel it deserves. You obviously feel that way about Say Anything. There are plenty of bands that I think are way over-hyped and they have more praise than I think they really deserve. There are bands I absolutely adore that I feel no one really gives a shit about, you know? Then there are bands I think are just terrible and people eat them up. It's like that for every music fan. Everyone has their different tastes, different appreciations. And you're absolutely correct; it is all a matter of opinion. But bitching to someone about how you think a particular band they like is overrated is pretty pointless. You can't "teach" someone to have the same taste as you and appreciate what you like/thrash what you don't.

Also, I would like to point out I wasn't trying to insinuate you are one of "most people" I describe. You stated you wouldn't complain if a band you cared for made it big. But, in my experience, a lot of people think it gives them hipster points and such to drop names and say things like "Oh, I liked them before they were signed/the cool thing/etc." That logic is very similar to that which would be behind a statement such as "That band that everyone likes and I don't is just so overrated..."

Self proclaimed hipsters contradict themselves every day in saying they're into these underground bands no one knows about. They say it's a shame no one listens to such bands because they're so great. Yet if anyone is to actually start listening to the band,, the band isn't so great anymore (at least to the hipster).

Anyway, there was my rather lengthy explanation that I took time out of my pretty busy schedule to write because I felt you deserved one. Didn't want to give you the wrong idea.

-maker_break
(in case you missed it at the top)
A.) Sometimes bands do go down a more mainstream route as their career goes more major and mainstream.
B.) I'm in no way a hipster
C.) Thank you for the clarification, I just don't like over-lengthiness.

[maker_break]

A.) Sometimes bands do go down a more mainstream route as their career goes more major and mainstream.
B.) I'm in no way a hipster
C.) Thank you for the clarification, I just don't like over-lengthiness.
I get carried away sometimes. I doubt you even read all that. But yeah...

That's what I was getting at. I didn't want you to think that I was calling you out as one of the annoying hipster types. Just saying that the complaint you made was rather similar to the types of things hipsters like to bitch about.

And you're welcome.

[Dymytry Vance]

I get carried away sometimes. I doubt you even read all that. But yeah...

That's what I was getting at. I didn't want you to think that I was calling you out as one of the annoying hipster types. Just saying that the complaint you made was rather similar to the types of things hipsters like to bitch about.

And you're welcome.
i did.
okay.
:-)

[TachyonEvan]

Favorite album of all time.

[introduction]

i wish s/t would live up to this album.

[MBIIdollaBill]

Man the lyrics quoted from "Admit It" are freaking sick. And they perfectly voice my thoughts on all those elitists and snobs who delude themselves thinking they have sophisticated taste because they sit in a coffeehouse dump all day and make fun of bands that more than 2 people know about.

[iLiveWithWoe]

seriously. one of the best ever written.

i still listen to it every day, each time discovering new things about the album i completely love.. it's like watching a movie over and over again until you understand the true and deepest meanings.

except with this album i'm still figuring it out to this day.

i wish the self titled would live up to this album also, but hey, don't we all wish every album lived up to this. this masterpiece in it's entirety was just so good that it can almost simply not be topped..

or at least in my opinion.

[blinkAVApluss44]

I couldn't agree more. This is one of my all time favorite albums. It changed the way I look at music forever.

[Kid Amnesiac]

Overrated.

[SophGod]

I heard this album for the first time last October. Only album I've heard that's hit me as hard as The Devil and God did. 10/10 for sure.

[thedroolmonkey]

A must listen. If you haven't discovered this album, you HAVE to give it a spin.

[junjunzero]

Favorite band and my favorite album ever x3 I listen to it religiously and it got me into all thier stuff....even the b-sides and demos and unreleased stuff and it ALL is amazing. Lyrically, in my opinion, no one in music today has shit on Max Bemis.

[DPDurden]

one of my favorite albums of all time

[kevindenheijer]

This is still the best album of all time..
Awesome review, it does IARB justice.

[Jay Evan]

This album stands the test of time. In Defense of A Genre didn't come near this album

[criedfuckinmary]

love

[criedfuckinmary]

13

[criedfuckinmary]

12

[criedfuckinmary]

55!!!!!!!!

[criedfuckinmary]

222!!!!!!!!!!

[criedfuckinmary]

1232~!!! yes

[criedfuckinmary]

noooooooo!!!!!

[criedfuckinmary]

im a robot

[criedfuckinmary]

no im not!!

[criedfuckinmary]

i said i got the rent

[criedfuckinmary]

she said yeah?

[criedfuckinmary]

i said yeah

[criedfuckinmary]

i said come down here

[criedfuckinmary]

and he got down here

[criedfuckinmary]

he said what do ya want

[criedfuckinmary]

one bourbonnn

[criedfuckinmary]

one scotchh

[criedfuckinmary]

and one beeerrrrrrr

[sonnyboy]

one of the few albums i've heard that is absolutely perfect

[Modernman95]

Say Anything is a great band but Bemis gets old.. very old. And thats when you listen to Two Tongues?

[Vince_Vega]

How can anyone objectively give this album a 99%?

Well, actually, the point of a review is to have the writer's opinion. It is in know way supposed to be a universal and objective appreciation of a record. Plus, the review itself is most important, you can't get the writer's point of view only by looking at the numbers, you have to read. By acknowledging other point of view, you can forge you're own, and if you think the album is shit, well, that's your opinion. I didn't really get this album at first, but know I find it relatively good, great review Jason btw (i know i'm late :P)

[IceAge/HeatWave]

i never liked pop-punk. i don't really have much common ground with a lot of the "AP crowd". i don't like most of SA's catalog. i don't listen to this album anymore, really. but damn, it had a huge impact on me.