Back in 2004 a man by the name of Max Bemis was released from psychiatric care and wrote, recorded, and released …Is A Real Boy, a landmark debut album as far as the pop-rock genre goes because of its memorable songs and intensely revealing lyrical matter. Although Bemis wrote the entire record himself, he found a group of individuals to back him and called the band SAY ANYTHING. To put it simply, the dude can write great pop-rock songs. But the problem with his latest record and first for major label J Records is that he wrote too many songs. In fact, he wrote two discs full of songs. With most bands writing rock music with a pop tilt, there is bound to be some filler, and unfortunately, In Defense of the Genre is nearly all filler and no killer. As a result, the album relies too heavily on wooing the listener with guest vocal performances in nearly all of the 27 tracks (Adam Lazarra from TAKING BACK SUNDAY, Haylie Williams from PARAMORE, and Kenny Vasoli of THE STARTING LINE appear, just to name a few). There are a few really great songs here, especially the opener “Skinny, Mean Man” that, while not as instantly stunning as “Belt” from the previous album, starts things off impeccably. That said, I feel as if though this album could have been released as a succinct ten-track disc where most of the content would have been at least above average. Bemis may have regained his sanity since writing his first album, but if sanity means believing a 27-track record will really please the masses, then I’d rather him revert to his insane ways to write songs with as much conviction and meaning as those of his past.

J Records

www.jrecords.com