Max Bemis and Coby Linder of Say Anything; taken at Warped Tour, 2008-07-24

I was listening to In Defense of the Genre and …Is a Real Boy and I figured out why the latter sounds so much better than the former. It’s just Max’s voice.

I listened to Shiksa (Girlfriend) and then Alive With the Glory of Love. In my opinion, the songs are very similar, save for the lyrics and Max’s voice. I then tried Shiksa (Girlfriend) and Wow, I Can Get Sexual Too. Again, similar songs except for lyrics and Max’s voice.

Now, the difference in Max’s voice: he sings with a softer, possibly higher voice on In Defense of the Genre than on …Is a Real Boy, on which he sings with a deeper, more rock−like voice. I think this is the voice Say Anything fans fell in love with and expected to hear on In Defense of the Genre.

That said, I think the only other real difference between the two albums is the greater amount of songs without drums on In Defense of the Genre. The lyrics are just as catchy and a number of songs, such as In Defense of the Genre, People Like You Are Why People Like Me Exist, and Skinny, Mean Man, have the same rock sound that …Is a Real Boy had.

Recently, a couple new songs have appeared on the web (specifically here). Ahh, Men sounds a lot like In Defense of the Genre, whereas Tickle Me Red sounds like that album’s songs but with the deeper vocals from …Is a Real Boy. Thus, it should be interesting to hear what the rest of the next album sounds like.

Yesterday, Warped Tour, along with Say Anything, was at Darien Lake. This was my first Warped Tour adventure, so I had no idea of what to expect.

I tried to get to Warped Tour at 11 a.m., but I left late and it took way too long to park. I wanted to be there early because I didn’t know when Say Anything was playing and I definitely didn’t want to miss them. As it turned out, they were playing at 7 p.m., so that was upsetting. On the other hand, it afforded me a lot of time to wander around.

Say Anything didn’t have any signing time posted, but I walked past their tent around 3:10 and a line was forming, so, of course, I joined in on the fun not knowing what the line was for. Around 3:30, someone from the band came on stage and announced they’d be signing stuff at their tent at 4 p.m.

I was 54 in line and I had them (Coby, Alex, Jeff, Jake, and Parker, but no Max) sign my Say Anything vinyl. I’m not sure why, but, upon seeing the vinyl, Alex smiled, opened it up, and looked inside before signing the vinyl Qwerm and drawing his Gnome Records logo next to the Doghouse logo.

Right before Say Anything, Reel Big Fish played—I had never heard them before but I liked them. Say Anything opened with Alive With the Glory of Love, and followed it with Skinny, Mean Man, Woe, Wow, I Can Get Sexual Too, Shiksa (Girlfriend), and Belt (in that order). It was pretty much exactly what I expected.

I probably won’t go to Warped Tour again unless there are several bands playing that I want to see (unlikely). I saw Cobra Starship and Relient K there as well, but that still didn’t make wandering around for eight hours worth it. Nonetheless, it was fun and something different.

For those who aren’t aware, I started collecting music memorabilia, specifically that of Say Anything, The Format, and +44.

As a general disclaimer, eBay and Music Stack have been great for this endeavor. If you can’t find an album on eBay or it’s there but overpriced, Music Stack is a great place to look.

I bought three things on eBay that I’ve been genuinely excited about: a vinyl version of Say Anything’s …Is a Real Boy, a signed copy of the CD version of that album, and a signed copy of Say Anything’s For Sale… EP. This post is about the EP.

It’s amazing. I mean, I’ve heard all the songs before and there are only two songs on the EP that aren’t on any other album, but it’s great to finally see the album inserts and the CD. Plus, it’s signed.

Here are some pictures:
Front cover
Back cover
Album insert
CD face
Album opened up

1. …Is a Real Boy
   Say Anything
   This is by far my favorite album, with or without the …Was a Real Boy bonus disc. If this list was for my top 20 albums, this one would occupy the first 10 spots (but this top-ten list is a Set). I love the rock sound that this album has, along with the awesome lyrics. The last few songs on the original disc are my favorite, although there isn’t a song on the album I don’t absolutely love.
2. Dog Problems
   The Format
   I love the way this album sounds—almost like a circus. Compared to the other music I listen to, it’s by far the most unique-sounding album. Most of the time I don’t even listen to the words, I just listen to the notes buzz in my ears.
3. Give Up
   The Postal Service
   The only things I don’t like about this album are its number of tracks (10) and the likelihood that there will never be another album released by the group. The love−themed lyrics are amazing.
4. Enema of the State
   blink-182
   This is the first CD album I ever purchased. I wasn’t a big fan of it when I was 10, but that’s changed. The (mostly) light−hearted lyrics are great, as is the very pop−rock sound.
5. When Your Heart Stops Beating
   +44
   I love this album because it’s sort of a combination of the more sincere lyrics of blink-182’s Untitled album with the rock sounds of Enema of the State.
6. Everything in Transit
   Jack’s Mannequin
   I love this album’s pop sound that goes great with its energetic lyrics, making me feel like I’m sitting on the beach.
7. Untitled (AKA blink-182)
   blink-182
   Classic blink-182 riffs with some more sincere lyrics.
8. Plans
   Death Cab for Cutie
   I love this album’s mellow lyrics and exciting instrumentals that compliment each other like peanut butter and jelly.
9. Make Believe
   Weezer
   IMO, Weezer’s best album. I think it has a more mainstream feel than their other albums, but nonetheless I love this album’s songs.
10. In Reverie
    Saves the Day
    Apparently everyone hates this album, but it’s by far my favorite Saves the Day album. The first few songs are some of my all−time favorites.

Honorable mentions:
Taking Back Sunday’s Louder Now is definitely #11 on my list of favorites. Hot Fuss by The Killers earns a nod from me because, although I don’t listen to it much now, it was my favorite album a couple years ago. Fall Out Boy’s From Under the Cork Tree is another album I just love listening to. Finally, Sleepaway’s self−titled debut album is awesome because Mike is just so dreamy.