Review: Say Anything - Say Anything

****

The neurotic and yet ingenious ramblings of prolific writer Max Bemis over the mixed tempo/style music of Say Anything makes for the bands best release to date. A return to their original sound, Say Anything’s self titled fourth album is true to their roots as well as to their fans.
Musically the band covers various genres and includes them into their hyper alternative punk rock sound which creatively separates the band from all others out there. Lyrically chief songwriter Max Bemis has matured nicely over his past few albums sounding more serious and yet playful as usual. Bemis has a gift at writing but also at putting himself out bare through his lyrics giving his fans a snapshot of his heart and intellect all in this hour-long listen.
Jems in this album would include the acoustic sounding intro with a great build up of Fed to Death; the first single of Hate Everyone which displays Max Bemis’ ability to appeal to outcast kids as well as those members of society that used to fit into this category at a younger age. Other milestones would include the semi-protest against hypocrisy and apathy in the music business Mara and me; the surprisingly positive Do better which includes the lyrics: “You can do better, you can be the greatest man in the world; the up beat Crush’d and the 50’s rock soundtrack to a possessive boyfriends anthem in Property.