Anarchy is an interesting term. Because of its rejection of
government, it’s an ideal ubiquitously tied to the punk community. Say Anything
frontman Max Bemis adapted the term anarchy into an original idea that suited
more his idea for how a utopian society can be created. In an article he penned
for Spinner Magazine, he wrote, “The idea of a ruling class slows and negates
this path to enlightenment because it stifles creative energy and freedom of
thought. A balance of freedom, compassion for our fellow man and personal
expression will create the kind of world that we all somehow deserve.” Bemis tries to make this self-expression the
center piece of the lyrics on the band’s new album Anarchy, My Dear. However, this self-expression comes with great
cost: it’s a horribly written group of senseless songs.
In fact, the entire album may be Bemis’ laziest lyrical
performance of his career. This is a man who has made a living by pumping out
minute-and-a-half to 3 minute songs to people who are willing to pay $80-$150
for his writing skills, and his work here is so uninspired that it calls in to
question whether Bemis can ever regain the wordplay and cleverness that made
him one of the most respected lyricist in the scene. After listening to choruses
repeating “And the crap rains down” and “I want it so bad,” listeners have to
wonder whether Bemis is passed his prime.
Perhaps the most
uncomfortable lyrics on the album come from the track named after the band,
“Say Anything”. “Condemn my race to genocide if it meant that could lay with
you,” Bemis begins the track. Yes, Bemis is commenting on love through the
Holocaust, just like he did with “Alive with the Glory of Love”, but that
doesn’t make it any more acceptable. Jewish people were almost wiped off the
Earth by an evil tyrant, yet Bemis still makes this comparison in the same song
as he sings the line “To put a ring on your digit, and have you fidget in bed
with me.” There is something to be said for Bemis not taking himself or his
songs too seriously, but there are some times when seriousness is called for
with certain lyrics.
All that aside, a lot of the initial talk about this album
was Bemis wanting this to pass “…Is a Real Boy” as the fan favorite Say
Anything album. First, Bemis should worry about topping 2010’s self-titled
album, a feat I don’t believe this album even succeeds in doing. At least Say Anything had some good old school
quirky Say Anything songs and one of the best backing vocals performances by
Coby Linder on “Do Better.” I can’t say this album has either. The “quirky”
tracks fail on this album because although the vocal delivery is still unique
and the instruments are creative and different from your average pop-punk band,
the chorus of “Overbiter” just doesn’t hold a candle to “I called her on the
phone and she touched herself.”
Bemis and Linder recorded all parts of the album in the
studio, a decision that was probably for the best for the actual music on the
album. Many of the songs feature really intricate and interesting guitar riffs
and bass lines, especially debut single “Burn A Miracle” which features some of
the tightest shredding of the band's career. It’s a shame that the guitar was
placed so far back in the mix for the song, with Tim O’Heir choosing instead to
highlight the rhythm section of the band on the track.
Album closer “The Stephen Hawking” seems to be Say
Anything’s attempt at an “epic” album closer, complete with drastic shifts in
tempo and style. But even that falls flat, as the song doesn’t sound cohesive
enough to warrant its inclusion on the album. The shift from Bemis and Linder
screaming “Soul!” to complete quiet at the 4:12 mark of the song is a
particularly jarring and awkward transition. Though the musical style is
expansive on the track, I wish the band would’ve fleshed out one idea to make a
cohesive closer instead of trying to stick 5 different clashing styles into a
dysfunctional song.
The Bottom Line: In short, Anarchy, My Dear is a terrible album from one of the scene’s most
respected bands. If you didn’t like either of the two singles before the album
was released, you will be even further disappointed by the finished product.
Recommended If You Rock: Sub-par albums by bands who
released great albums, terrible lyrics, Anarchy in the UK (or in this case USA)
- Craig Ismaili
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