Song Review: "Shameless" by Say Anything

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As of the past month, Say Anything has been nearly non-stop. I have replayed their 2004 album Is a Real Boy over a dozen times and I have loved each run through more than the last. I found it hard to single out one song for a review, so with the help from my girlfriend’s sister I have decided to not pick one from that album.

Instead I have chosen the deeply moving song “Shameless” off All My Friends Are Enemies: Early Rarities. The song is a truly moving piece telling the story of the love for someone who has changed significantly.

Since I stumbled upon the L.A. based indie-punk/folk-emo outfit I have been especially drawn into the poetic lyrics sung and snarled by frontman Max Bemis; and “Shameless” puts those very same stylings on full display.

Stripped down and raw, “Shameless” opens with a soft acoustic guitar that steadily grows into crashing, scratchy guitars as Bemis shouts “Oh you crazy rebel, tell me is this what you want to be/Would it kill you to be shameless?”. The track is reminiscent of Jimmy Eat World in its softer, more tame moments and evolves into a sort of Samiam-esque melodic punk.

Say Anything offers a powerful mix of folk driven punk with hardcore edge and introspective lyrics with influences spanning from Queen, Saves the Day, Fugazi, Weezer, Stooges, and even Nototious B.I.G.

Through their influential career they have been noted for their sardonic and catharsis filled lyrics that blend humour and heartache. With such a wide array of musical acts being poured into their own songs it is easy to hear the range the group can muster on just one song.

While not solely an emo band, Say Anything certainly has enough heart in their other tracks that the emo labeling isn’t too far off. To this day, many emo bands or bands ever so loosely associated with the emo scene have refused being emo at all, or even just flat out expressing hate for the emo name.

I can see why any band would not want to be lumped into just a single category as it might depict them incorrectly. Say Anything is not just an emo band; they have displayed an enormous range of musical diversity that has helped them carve out a decent level of influence and popularity.

With Say Anything and “Shameless” especially, there is something truly special being offered up. With a healthy dose of humor, heart, and teenage angst, Bemis and company eschew the predictable nature of typical three chord pop punk and emo and instead forge a folky-indie heart-on-your-sleeve style that is uniquely theirs.

Mixed with musical prowess and the creativity it takes to be a writer for Marvel, Bemis champions his oddball brand of indie inflected punk and it seldom gets better than it does on “Shameless”. I have found yet another diamond in the emo rough that shines impeccably bright. So, do yourself a massive favor and get sucked into Say Anything. Like, right now.