Review
SAY ANYTHING – ANARCHY, MY DEAR
Released 12th March 2012 (Equal Vision Records)
Words: Kelly Jones
Anarchy, My Dear is the fifth studio release from Say Anything, who have teamed up with producer Tim O’Heir once again. O’Heir last worked with them on their second album … Is A Real Boy. Say Anything have, for the most part, released fairly solid albums with reviews in their favour. Aided by their gem of a back catalogue, Say Anything have always reached high and their latest album is no exception.
Anarchy, My Dear kicks off with the track Burn A Miracle and takes no time in setting the atmosphere for the album. It’s a rumbling, roaring ride through eleven tracks.
One of the stand out songs on the album includes the song Admit It Again, a reference to a previous Say Anything track titled Admit It. It showcases everything that Say Anything do best – cynical, boisterous lyrics and the rhythm and melody to back it up.
Other stand out tracks include Overbiter and Shee’. Though it’s apparent Anarchy, My Dear contains all the elements of Say Anything’s previous albums, it’s sure to please old fans, whether it’s the continuation of the hardy, honest lyrics or the classic, almost raw production O’Heir lends to the album. It feels a long way from the band who produced the 2001 full length Baseball, but Say Anything have certainly reached a point where the kind of bold songs like Admit It Again are only to be expected.
Perhaps a flaw in the album is the way in which it flows, certainly it seems some tracks could have resonated better had they been placed elsewhere. The title track Anarchy, My Dear seems like it could have worked well as an album closer, but perhaps in the uneven and chaotic placement of songs the album finds it’s strength and enforced the idea of anarchy. Perhaps the track listing placement is not a flaw at all.
An album full of plenty of songs that speak boldly and remain catchy, Anarchy, My Dear is classic Say Anything.
