Say Anything
...is a Real Boy
Doghouse (2004)
Sometimes a simple idea for a record can be injected with such brutal honesty and wit that all simplicity is somehow lost in translation. As far as I know, ...is a Real Boy was intended to be a rock opera of sorts, but somewhere along the lines the idea sort of went awry. Either way, the songs on ...is a Real Boy are written around the idea that singer/songwriter/genius Max Bernis is a character who writes every honest idea that comes into his unexpended brain, and that's exactly how the lyrics come across: honest, clever, and adroit. And most of all, he writes with a sense of dry intelligence that makes me say, "Wow, that is neat." A few examples of the lyrical content... "And this girl who I met whose pride makes her hard to forget, She took pity on me horizontally, but most likely because of my band." "Molly Connolly just broke up with me over the revealing nature of these songs. You goddamn kids had best be gracious with the merch money you spend because for you I won't ever have rough sex with Molly Connolly again." As you can see, there isn't much Bernis is afraid … Read more
Panda Bear
Young Prayer
Paw Tracks (2004)
Though Young Prayer is intended to act as a eulogy for Animal Collective member Panda Bear's (a.k.a. Noah Lennox) recently … Read more
Engine Down
Engine Down
Lookout! (2004)
One of the most memorable experiences of my time in Chico was seeing Engine Down live. Their music isn't what … Read more
Q and Not U
Power
Dischord (2004)
Mike Watt famously said that the Minutemen "divided the whole world into two categories: there were flyers and the gig. … Read more
Welcome The Plague Year
Welcome The Plague Year
Turnstile (2004)
The introduction of a review is usually a chance to capture the reader with something funny or even insightful. Considering … Read more
