Say Anything

Say Anything is a solo project by Max Bennis, who boasts influence from wonders Hüsker Dü, Jawbreaker and Elvis Costello. This album also carries some considerable credits. Produced by Tim O’Heir (Dinosaur Jr, Sebadoh, the All-American Rejects) with arrangements by Stephen Trask (Hedwig and the Angry Inch), it’s surprising that this album is so bad. Played out as a rock opera, the intention is recognisable but in this case it’s an effort best left to those who have successfully pulled it off in the past. The songs lack substance and come off as silly, over-indulgent and several minutes too long. Another downer is that the back up singers don’t really sing, but shout, which gives everything a rougher sound than what should have been. This debut is hugely disappointing and falls flat in all the wrong places.