In Defense of the Genre

by Say Anything

Overview

Max Bemis -- the medicated frontman responsible for every melody, riff, and snare hit on Say Anything's debut -- has broadened his approach for the band's follow-up release. In Defense of the Genre is a double-disc set spanning every nook and cranny of Bemis' record collection, with a full lineup accompanying his romps through screamo, show tunes, and the usual pop-punk territory. Also along for the ride are a number of collaborators, and anyone who questions Say Anything's ability to stay afloat in light of their frontman's bipolar disorder need only notice the supportive cameos by Gerard Way, Pete Yorn, and Chris Carrabba. But even if Bemis has the support of the music industry, he still refuses to play by its rules, structuring In Defense of the Genre like a schizophrenic mixtape instead of something traditionally cohesive. The songs function like a series of miniature suites, making left-hand turns without warning and mixing genres together with a deft hand. Electronica choruses rub shoulders with punky verses in "No Soul." Broadway-styled orchestrations in "That Is Why" give way to the aggressive "Surgically Removing the Tracking Device." Elsewhere, Bemis finds room to toss everything from doo wop to reggae into the pot, and although the resulting concoction isn't quite as appetizing as ...Is a Real Boy, it's certainly good enough to warrant several helpings. Bemis may be seeking to defend the emo genre, but his album instead illustrates the difference between run-of-the-mill emo -- which, indeed, comprises most of the genre's output -- and the imaginative, skillful tunes that flourish here. The only major downside is the album's length; at 89 minutes, it often comes across as untrimmed and longwinded, particularly during the second disc. ~ Andrew Leahey

Product Details

Release Date:	12/09/2022
Label:	Music On Vinyl
UPC:	8719262027350
Rank:	29926

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Say Anything   Primary Artist
Ken Vasoli   Vocals,Guest Artist
Aaron Gillespie   Vocals,Guest Artist
Chad Gilbert   Vocals,Guest Artist
Anthony Green   Vocals,Guest Artist
Gerard Way   Vocals,Guest Artist
Jeffrey Turner   Guitar,Vocals
Matt Skiba   Vocals,Guest Artist
Parker Case   Guitar,Vocals,Keyboards
Anna Waronker   Vocals,Guest Artist
Jacob Linder   Drums,Vocals,Percussion
Alexander Kent   Bass
DJ Swamp   Guest Artist
Laura June Kirsch   Vocals,Guest Artist
Joshua Sultan   Vocals,Guest Artist
Anthony Raneri   Vocals,Guest Artist
Max Bemis   Guitar,Vocals,Mandolin,Keyboards
Fred Mascherino   Vocals,Guest Artist
Chris Carrabba   Vocals,Guest Artist
Andy Jackson   Vocals,Guest Artist
Jordan Pundik   Vocals,Guest Artist
Casey Prestwood   Pedal Steel,Guest Artist
Pete Yorn   Vocals,Guest Artist
Jake Turner   Guitar,Vocals
Michael Auerbach   Vocals,Guest Artist
Adam Lazarra   Vocals,Guest Artist
Caithlin De Marrais   Vocals,Guest Artist
Chris Conley   Vocals,Guest Artist

Technical Credits

Brad Wood   Audio Production,Mixing,Engineer,Producer
Jeff Smith   Illustrations
Jeffrey Turner   Group Member
Parker Case   Group Member
Emily Lazar   Mastering
Jacob Linder   Composer,Group Member
Alexander Kent   Composer,Group Member
DJ Swamp   DJ
Noah Goldstein   Assistant Engineer
Max Bemis   Composer,Group Member
Andy Jackson   Engineer
Jake Turner   Group Member
Ross Petersen   Engineer
Matt Geyer   Assistant
Josh Cheuse   Design,Art Direction
Frank Ockenfels   Photography
Melisssa Sabo   Assistant
Joe LaPorta   Assistant
Matt Shay   A&R