If there could be one word to sum up Say Anything's new album "In Defense of the Genre," it would be "confused."
"In Defense of the Genre," released late last year, is the group's third album and is a testament to how prolific the band has been in the three-year span since their sophomore release. The double album contains a total of 27 tracks, with 13 on the first album and 14 on the second.
The sheer volume of the album appears to compensate for its shortcomings. Essentially, this album leans more toward quantity than quality.
Though every song is brimming with the same emo, angst-fueled lamentations that got lead vocalist Max Bemis and company their fame, many of the songs on the first album seem out of place. The biggest drawback to the first album is the occasional awkward stab at a "unique" song, disrupting the easy flow of a few toe-tappers. "That Is Why," in particular, comes off as a faux show tune painted with a layer of emo. The result is less than satisfactory to the ears.
"Died A Jew" is also another track that adds to the discourse. Though Bemis does frequently allude to his battle with bipolar disorder and the fact that he is Jewish, this song comes across as a half-baked attempt at Christian rock. "Shiksa (Girlfriend)" is another song that falls flat because of its seemingly random placement on the album.
Those songs aside, the rest of the albums have their highlights and lowlights. Some songs such as "The Word You Wield" and "Baby Girl, I'm a Blur" are powerful and crisp, whereas tracks like "An Insult to the Dead" can be passed over without remorse. Though the majority of the songs are decent, both albums are spoiled by bland tracks.
Reach the reporter at: adam.chaikin@asu.edu.
