| ...Is a Real Boy | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | August 3, 2004 | |||
| Recorded | 2003–2004 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 57:55 | |||
| Label | Doghouse | |||
| Producer | Max Bemis, Tim O'Heir, Stephen Trask | |||
| Say Anything chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Singles from ...Is a Real Boy | ||||
| ||||
...Is a Real Boy is the second studio album by American rock band Say Anything, released on August 3, 2004.
On January 27, 2003, the band announced they had signed to Doghouse Records; shortly after, they recorded demos for their next album, which was expected to be released later in the year. [5] The following month, vocalist Max Bemis and drummer Coby Linder were in the process of recruiting members to help them tour. [6] With tremendous self-created pressure, Bemis threw himself into pushing the sonic boundaries of the band and maturing their sound, incorporating elements of math-rock, indie-pop and theatrical pomp. He and Linder also started the search for a producer. The two met several producers but eventually decided on Tim O'Heir and Stephen Trask. Bemis struggled with different ideas for the record and decided the album should focus on "the artistic struggle, the fact that every creative person has this sick ambition to affect some sort of change in society with their art, to be more than just a guy in a band or a poet or a sculptor." According to the album's liner notes, ...Is a Real Boy was originally intended to be a rock opera, complete with a full narrative, cast of characters and spoken word interludes between each song. One tentative title for the album was Zona! Zona! [7] However, Bemis became overwhelmed by the entire process of writing and playing most of the instruments and had a breakdown. [8]
"I literally lost my mind while we were recording," stated Bemis regarding the breakdown. The breakdown was precipitated by a mockumentary discussed by Bemis and O'Heir. Bemis' condition led him to believe he was being secretly filmed for the mockumentary; the situation culminated in him walking the streets of Brooklyn thinking he was being filmed while encountering friends (who were actually strangers). [9] After recovering, Bemis decided to focus solely on the music and dropped the idea of a script. [10] Around July 2003, the band began recording ...Is a Real Boy, their first album with Doghouse Records. Bemis said the two people he wanted to "outdo with ...Is a Real Boy were Andy Warhol and Jesus." [9] In addition to working with O'Heir and Trask, Say Anything worked with Forrest Kline (of power pop band Hellogoodbye) to record the For Sale... EP, released in 2004. [11] The band also worked with ECA Records to record a promotional album that was never released. [8]
On April 13, 2004, ...Is a Real Boy was announced for release in four months' time. Alongside this, "Belt", "Woe", "Alive with the Glory of Love", and "Admit It!!!" were made available for streaming through the band's website. [12] The following month, the band appeared on a handful of dates on the Honda Civic Tour. [13] In June and July 2004, the band toured with Audio Karate, Lances Hero, and MC Lars. [14] ...Is a Real Boy was released on August 3, 2004, through Doghouse Records. [12] A promotional 7" vinyl to be released via ECA Records (originally on July 15, 2003) and a split EP were planned. [7] Neither was released, although both tracks from the vinyl, an acoustic version of "Belt" along with "You Help Them" (from Menorah/Majora ) can be downloaded from Anything's online forum. [15]
In October and November 2004, the band went on tour with Hot Rod Circuit, Northstar and Straylight Run. [16] In February and March 2005, the group toured with Recover, Armor for Sleep, and Case Pagan. [17] They then appeared at The Bamboozle festival the following month. [18] Say Anything then toured with Circa Survive and Emanuel beginning in June 2005, and was expected to last until August 2005. [19] [20] On July 11, 2005, the rest of the tour had been cancelled, with Bemis explaining he had "full on paranoid delusions which could have really screwed me up". [21] The band were due to support Saves the Day and Senses Fail on their co-headlining US tour between October and December 2005, but had to cancel because of Bemis' continual breakdown. [22] [23]
During the initial release of the album, ...Is a Real Boy managed to sell 20,000 copies independently, which attracted major label attention. [1] Sony Music Entertainment-imprint J Records signed the band and was planning to reissue ...Is a Real Boy in October 2005. [23] [24] "Wow, I Can Get Sexual Too" was posted on the band's Myspace profile on November 25, 2005. [25] The reissue was delayed to January 2006, and eventually saw release in February 2006. [23] [26] The bonus disc included with the reissue, ...Was a Real Boy, features seven tracks that were originally from an eight-track EP known unofficially as the Say Anything vs. AIDS demos. As noted in the reissue's liner notes, the EP, which was recorded in Kevin Seaton's garage, was scrapped by Bemis as he did not feel the band was popular enough to sufficiently support such a cause.
On February 15, 2006, the music video for "Alive with the Glory of Love" was posted online. [27] Between March and May 2006, Say Anything went on a cross-country tour of the US alongside Pistolita and the Bled. [28] [29] The trek included an appearance at The Bamboozle festival. [30] "Alive with the Glory of Love" was released to radio on June 20, 2006. [31] Following this, Say Anything supported Dashboard Confessional on their headlining US tour in July and August 2006. [32] In October and November 2006, the band went on tour with Brand New, MewithoutYou and Piebald. [33] "Wow, I Can Get Sexual Too" was released to radio on January 30, 2007. [31] A second reissue came in the form of vinyl edition released on October 23, 2007, which included an extra track, "Walk Through Hell", originally from the Menorah/Majora EP. [34] [35] Doghouse Records released the third re-issue of the album on October 7, 2008.. [34]
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AbsolutePunk.net | 99% [36] |
| AllMusic |   [3] |
| Blender |  |
| Entertainment Weekly | B+ [1] |
| Melodic | [37] |
| Punknews.org | (2004) [38] (2006) [39] |
| Rolling Stone | [40] |
| Sputnikmusic | [4] |
| Yahoo! Music | Favorable [41] |
...Is a Real Boy has received almost universally positive reviews from music critics. AbsolutePunk.net reviewer Jason Tate awarded the album a 99% rating and praised the band's writing, saying "By the second song it is perceptible that the band has a grasp on crafting songs that do not follow a formula, or insult the listener by maintaining a hold on one particular style or sound." [36] Allmusic's Corey Apar also gave the album a glowing review, writing "...Is a Real Boy comes off as an impressively well-done, multifaceted effort that deserves multiple spins and makes Say Anything truly a band to watch." [3] Punk News noted that the album seems to be commenting in the over-use of irony in the emo scene, writing "Yes, this album is highly ironic in that it's critical of the scene it's categorized in and it's an album about a band and there are songs in here that are about songs. But, Bemis's overall quirkiness makes it work." [38] Entertainment Weekly wrote that, "Say Anything, an emo act based in L.A., has a new disc that proves that the genre can be artful and intriguing." [1]
BuzzFeed included the album at number 19 on their "36 Pop Punk Albums You Need To Hear Before You F——ing Die" list. [42] "Alive with the Glory of Love" appeared on a best-of emo songs list by Vulture . [43] Spartanburg Herald-Journal include the album on their list of the best albums of the year. [44] Rolling Stone ranked the album among the 40 greatest emo albums of all-time. [2] Cleveland.com ranked "Alive with the Glory of Love" at number 39 on their list of the top 100 pop-punk songs. [45] Alternative Press ranked "Wow, I Can Get Sexual Too" at number 58 and "Alive with the Glory of Love" at number 27 on their list of the best 100 singles from the 2000s. [46]
All tracks are written by Max Bemis with the exception of "Metal Now," which was written and composed by Bemis and Kevin Sachs (Casper Adams), according to the album's liner notes
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Belt" | 4:59 |
| 2. | "Woe" | 3:55 |
| 3. | "The Writhing South" | 4:46 |
| 4. | "Alive with the Glory of Love" | 4:15 |
| 5. | "Yellow Cat (Slash) Red Cat" | 5:18 |
| 6. | "The Futile" | 2:45 |
| 7. | "Spidersong" | 3:57 |
| 8. | "An Orgy of Critics" | 3:55 |
| 9. | "Every Man Has a Molly" | 3:05 |
| 10. | "Slowly, Through a Vector" | 4:40 |
| 11. | "Chia-Like, I Shall Grow" | 4:56 |
| 12. | "I Want to Know Your Plans" | 5:12 |
| 13. | "Admit It!!!" | 6:12 |
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Wow, I Can Get Sexual Too" | 3:00 |
| 2. | "Little Girls" | 3:53 |
| 3. | "Most Beautiful Plague" | 4:53 |
| 4. | "It's a Metaphor, Fool" | 2:51 |
| 5. | "Total Revenge" | 3:27 |
| 6. | "Metal Now" | 2:44 |
| 7. | "I Will Never Write an Obligatory Song About Being on the Road and Missing Someone" | 3:49 |
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Walk Through Hell" | 3:30 |
| Year | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Top Heatseekers | 8 |
| Year | Single | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Alive with the Glory of Love | Modern Rock Tracks | 28 |
According to the liner notes:
Additional credits, also from the liner notes:
Further Seems Forever is an American rock band formed in 1998 in Pompano Beach, Florida. Over its initial eight-year run the band experienced several lineup changes, resulting in a different lead vocalist performing on each of their first three studio albums. Original singer Chris Carrabba recorded The Moon Is Down (2001) with the group before leaving to start Dashboard Confessional. He was replaced by Jason Gleason, who performed on How to Start a Fire (2003) but left the band the following year. Former Sense Field vocalist Jon Bunch joined Further Seems Forever for Hide Nothing (2004). The band broke up in 2006 but reunited four years later with Carrabba on vocals. Their fourth studio album, Penny Black, was released in 2012.
Dream to Make Believe is the debut studio album by American rock band Armor for Sleep. Following on from his previous band Random Task, Ben Jorgensen taught himself guitar and later recruited additional members to form Armor for Sleep. With some buzz, and the addition of manager Gabe Saporta, the band recorded their debut album with Ariel Rechtshaid at two studios in California: El Barrio in Van Nuys and Standard Electrical in Venice Beach. Dream to Make Believe mixed the space rock of Hum with the emo pop of the Get Up Kids; it tackled the topics of dreaming, time-travel and space.
Stay What You Are is the third studio album from American rock band Saves the Day, released in 2001. The album received positive reviews from critics at the time of its release and remains an influential album in the emo and pop punk genres. It has been described as "channel[ling] the thrill of the pop punk, the intellect of indie rock, and the raw emotion of emo all at once." Lead single "At Your Funeral" charted in the United Kingdom and Scotland.
Based on a True Story is the second studio album by American pop punk band the Starting Line. The group's label Drive-Thru Records had a distribution deal which allowed MCA Records to acquire their bands. After MCA Records was absorbed into Geffen Records in mid-2003, the band spent most of 2004 writing and demoing songs for their next album. Following pre-production in July 2004, the band began recording for Based on a True Story, finishing in September. The album was recorded at various studios in New York state and California. Separate sessions were produced by Tim O'Heir, Howard Benson and Eric Rachel.
The Movielife is a Long Island punk rock band composed of vocalist Vinnie Caruana, guitarist Brandon Reilly, and drummer Brett Romnes. The band originally formed in 1997 and disbanded in 2003, but announced their official reunion in December 2014.
Move Along is the second studio album by the American rock band the All-American Rejects, released on July 12, 2005, by Interscope Records. It spawned three top 15 singles, which helped the album ship 2 million units to be certified double platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).
Trainwreck is the second studio album by Canadian rock band Boys Night Out, released on July 26, 2005 through Ferret Music. After some line-up changes, the band took a short break; guitarist Jeff Davis wrote a short short which would serve as the direction for their next album. Recording took place at iiwii Studios in Weehawken, New Jersey, The Machine Shop in Hoboken, New Jersey and Harariville in Weehawken, New Jersey, with producer Machine. Trainwreck is a concept album about a character known as The Patient murdering his wife, being hospitalized and trying to convey the music he hears in his head. Its emo and pop rock sound incorporated elements of progressive rock, post-hardcore and dream pop.
Northstar is an American band formed in 1997 in Huntsville, Alabama.
JamisonParker were an American emo duo in the early to mid-2000s, consisting of singer/guitarist Jamison Covington and guitarist/bassist/drummer Parker Case. While active, they released an EP titled Notes & Photographs (2003) and an album titled Sleepwalker (2005), and managed to play over 200 concerts across the United States.
Audio Karate is an American rock band from Rosemead, California.
The Ugly Organ is the fourth studio album by American rock band Cursive, released on March 4, 2003, through Saddle Creek Records. It was released both on black and translucent green 180 gram vinyl.
The Places You Have Come to Fear the Most is the second studio album by American rock band Dashboard Confessional, released on March 20, 2001, through Vagrant Records.
Name Taken was an American rock band from Orange, California. They were originally known as All That's Left in October 1999 until they discovered that the name was already taken; thus the name "Name Taken". The band started in the ninth grade where they would play shows in their amphitheatre at lunch. They later succeeded to record for such compilations as Atticus I and Warped Tour 2002.
The Mother, the Mechanic, and the Path is The Early November's second studio album. The triple disc concept album was released on July 11, 2006, via Drive-Thru Records.
Say Anything is an American rock band from Los Angeles, California. The band was formed in 2000 by Max Bemis and his friends, and within two years, they had self-released two EPs and a full-length album.
Bedlight for Blue Eyes was an alternative rock band from Berkeley Heights, New Jersey signed to Trustkill Records.
In Defense of The Genre is the third studio album by American rock band Say Anything. The album artwork was provided by Jeff Smith, an artist primarily known for his work on the Bone comic series.
Over It was a rock band based in Orange County, California. Originally from Alexandria, Virginia, the band formed in 1998 to play pop punk. Most recently signed to Virgin Records, Over It is currently unsigned and inactive.
Say Anything is the fourth full-length studio album by American rock band Say Anything.
Anarchy, My Dear is the fifth studio album by American alternative rock band Say Anything. It was released on March 13, 2012 through Equal Vision Records. It is their last album with drummer Coby Linder, who left the band in December 2012.
Citations
Sources
