This LA-based emo-rock outfit are the brainchild of young Max Bemis, an overachieving singer-songwriter who’s as unnerved by scene politics as he is by romantic tribulations. Say Anything’s debut, . . . Is a Real Boy, began life as a rock opera in which Bemis planned to air his conflicted feelings about making his art matter in a culture increasingly defined by empty fashion (or something). Instead of finishing the project he envisioned, Bemis ended up doing a stint in a mental institution — which might actually be an experience comparable to going on tour in a buzzed-about alt-rock band. As it happens, the Real Boy Say Anything ended up releasing still explores (in excruciating detail) the singer’s complicated self-obsession; Bemis’s only real competition in the way of wordy emo guys is Conor Oberst of Bright Eyes. Luckily, the kid can write an explosive power-pop chorus, too, which makes the album enjoyable for folks who don’t know MySpace from Friendster. And his enablers here, including Hedwig and the Angry Inch composer Stephen Trask, give his psychological torment some serious radio crunch. Look for J Records to give Real Boy a big commercial re-release next month. That oughta give Bemis plenty more grist for the mental mill.
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On the Web:
Say Anything: http://www.sayanythingmusic.com/
