Say Anything
Anarchy, My Dear

Release Date: 2012 | Tracklist

So Good. That is one of the songs on the album and it describes the album very well because that's exactly what this is. So Good. I love the self-titled album as much as the next guy but it is probably the weakest album they have and this one is far better in just about every way, even though the self-titled did have a few perfect songs on it like Cemetery and Ahh Men, there was a little too much filler on that one like Hate Everyone and She Won't Follow You. But this one is more consistent, it's far better overall than the self titled and mostly feels like an extension of it, albeit way better. It's not a perfect album. So Good is probably the worst song on the album actually and I haven't quite warmed up to their self-titled song either but the great songs here rival the greatest songs from their other albums. Burn a Miracle is a great catchy song with an outstanding bridge/outro that really calls back the anthemic qualities of songs like Belt and Woe, Night's Song is just a great In Defense of the Genre-esque song with its funky opening bass and vocal line guitar solo. Admit It Again is a great song despite the fact that its mostly just there for recognition of Is a Real Boy's sake; it proves, however that Max hasn't lost his wit and vehemence and while it may be less meaningful than the original Admit It!!!, it's certainly no less potent, especially with the fantastic ending anthem portion of the song. Sheep is a good song reminiscent of Eloise, even containing an awesome synth line towards the end of the song. Peace Out is basically a Renaissance fair madrigal complete with hammered dulcimer and is one of the catchiest songs on the album and definitely the most mellow. Overbiter isn't the strongest song on the album but it's one of the catchiest and has an infectious piano chord progression. Of Steel is one of the more heartfelt songs and the ending oohs are simply gorgeous. The title track Anarchy, My Dear, is a good national anthem kind of song, feeling very much like an ode to a love. The prechorus is simply great on that one. The Steven Hawking is probably the best song on the album and it's certainly the longest. The way it progresses is so beautiful; the pop punk explosion about two minutes in is absolutely perfect and one of the best segments Max has ever written. The same can be said for the sing-along part at the end of the song. And then it fades out, signifying that though the album as ended, we're still singing, which is also a good metaphor for Max. Although the Is a Real Boy chapter of his life is over, he's still singing. Thank God for Max Bemis.

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2.3 average

Rank: #0 for 2012