...Is a Real Boy

March 2012 ...Is a Real Boy studio Say Anything Say Anything Is a Real Boy.png 2004 08 03 2003–2004 Emohttps://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/40-greatest-emo-albums-of-all-time-20160301/say-anything-is-a-real-boy-2004-20160225 40 Greatest Emo Albums of All Time Rolling Stone Spanos, Brittany March 1, 2016 March 1, 2016 indie rock pop punk punk rock 57 55 Doghouse Max Bemis, Tim O'Heir, Stephen Trask For Sale... 2004 In Defense of the Genre 2007 ...Is a Real Boy studio Alive with the Glory of Love September 11, 2006 Wow, I Can Get Sexual Too January 30, 2007 ...Is a Real Boy is the second studio album by American rock band Say Anything, released on August 3, 2004. Recording 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.https://www.punknews.org/article/5414/say-anything-seeks-touring-band Doghouse signs Say Anything Punknews.org Heisel, Scott January 29, 2003 March 4, 2021 The following month, vocalist Max Bemis and drummer Coby Linder were in the process of recruiting members to help them tour.https://www.punknews.org/article/5414/say-anything-seeks-touring-band Say Anything seeks touring band Punknews.org Heisel, Scott February 26, 2003 March 4, 2021 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!https://web.archive.org/web/20030409075257/http://sayanythingmusic.com/index.html April 9, 2003 http://sayanythingmusic.com Say Anything's web site from April 2003 the Internet Archive May 9, 2011 However, Bemis became overwhelmed by the entire process of writing and playing most of the instruments and had a breakdown.Bemis Max http://www.sayanythingmusic.com/ Archive.org: SayAnythingMusic.com April 24, 2003 August 2, 2008 Say Anything https://web.archive.org/web/20030424062429/http://www.sayanythingmusic.com/ April 24, 2003 "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).Kelley Trevor Crazy Days Alternative Press 194 September 2004 104 After recovering, Bemis decided to focus solely on the music and dropped the idea of a script.Bemis Max http://www.sayanythingmusic.com/biography Say Anything biography – by Max Bemis The Official Say Anything Site August 2, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20080922145850/http://www.sayanythingmusic.com/biography September 22, 2008 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." 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.Say Anything Say Anything (band) For Sale... Doghouse Records 2004 The band also worked with ECA Records to record a promotional album that was never released. Release 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.https://www.punknews.org/article/8911/stream-four-say-anything-songs Stream four Say Anything songs Punknews.org Heisel, Scott April 13, 2004 March 28, 2021 The following month, the band appeared on a handful of dates on the Honda Civic Tour.https://www.punknews.org/article/8954/tours-civic-tour-lineup-confirmed Civic Tour lineup confirmed Punknews.org Heisel, Scott April 18, 2004 March 28, 2021 In June and July 2004, the band toured with Audio Karate, Lances Hero, and MC Lars.https://www.punknews.org/article/9098/tours-audio-karate-say-anything-lances-hero-mc-lars Audio Karate/Say Anything/Lances Hero/MC Lars Punknews.org Heisel, Scott May 6, 2004 March 30, 2021 ...Is a Real Boy was released on August 3, 2004, through Doghouse Records. A promotional 7" vinyl to be released via ECA Records (originally on July 15, 2003) and a split EP were planned. 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.conversation with artist of album artwork https://web.archive.org/web/20080926193015/http://helios.cp-apollo.com/~sayanyth/phpbb/viewtopic.php?t=1925 September 26, 2008 In October and November 2004, the band went on tour with Hot Rod Circuit, Northstar and Straylight Run.https://www.punknews.org/article/10064/tours-straylight-run-announces-debut-tour Straylight Run announces Debut, Tour Punknews.org Paul, Aubin August 26, 2004 July 9, 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160818212834/https://www.punknews.org/article/10064/tours-straylight-run-announces-debut-tour August 18, 2016 live In February and March 2005, the group toured with Recover, Armor for Sleep, and Case Pagan.https://www.punknews.org/article/11428/tours-say-anything-headed-out-with-recover-armor-for-sleep-and-chase-pagan Say Anything headed out with Recover, Armor For Sleep, and Chase Pagan Punknews.org Paul, Aubin January 22, 2005 October 29, 2021 They then appeared at The Bamboozle festival the following month.https://www.punknews.org/article/11657/bamboozle-lineup Bamboozle lineup Punknews.org Shultz, Brian February 14, 2005 October 30, 2021 Say Anything then toured with Circa Survive and Emanuel beginning in June 2005, and was expected to last until August 2005.https://www.punknews.org/article/12276/tours-circa-survive-touring-with-dredg Circa Survive touring with Dredg Punknews.org Paul, Aubin April 18, 2005 October 31, 2021https://www.punknews.org/article/12451/tours-say-anything-touring-this-summer Say Anything touring this summer Punknews.org Paul, Aubin May 5, 2005 October 31, 2021 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".https://www.punknews.org/article/13128/say-anything-explains-tour-cancellation-talks-about-the-future Say Anything explains tour cancellation, talks about the future Punknews.org Paul, Aubin July 11, 2005 November 1, 2021 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.https://www.punknews.org/article/13455/tours-saves-the-day-touring-with-senses-fail-the-early-november-say-anything Saves the Day touring with Senses Fail, the Early November, Say Anything Punknews.org Paul, Aubin August 13, 2005 May 20, 2018 live https://web.archive.org/web/20161010043052/https://www.punknews.org/article/13455/tours-saves-the-day-touring-with-senses-fail-the-early-november-say-anything October 10, 2016https://www.allmusic.com/artist/say-anything-mn0000256951/biography Say Anything Biography, Songs, & Albums AllMusic Apar, Corey November 1, 2021 During the initial release of the album, ...Is a Real Boy managed to sell 20,000 copies independently, which attracted major label attention. Sony Music Entertainment-imprint J Records signed the band and was planning to reissue ...Is a Real Boy in October 2005.https://www.punknews.org/article/13475/say-anythings-is-a-real-boy-being-reissued-on-j-records Say Anything's '...Is A Real Boy' being reissued on J Records Punknews.org Shultz, Brian August 15, 2005 November 1, 2021 "Wow, I Can Get Sexual Too" was posted on the band's Myspace profile on November 25, 2005.https://www.punknews.org/article/14607/say-anything-track-from-upcoming-reissue-tentative-track-listing Say Anything track from upcoming reissue, tentative track listing Punknews.org Paul, Aubin November 25, 2005 November 22, 2021 The reissue was delayed to January 2006, and eventually saw release in February 2006.https://www.punknews.org/article/14364/say-anything-explain-recent-tour-cancellation-talk-about-upcoming-reissue-plans Say Anything explain recent tour cancellation, talk about upcoming reissue, plans Punknews.org Paul, Aubin November 6, 2005 November 21, 2021 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.https://www.punknews.org/article/15767/say-anything-post-new-video-for-alive-with-the-glory-of-love Say Anything post new video for 'Alive with the Glory of Love' Punknews.org Paul, Aubin February 15, 2006 January 2, 2022 Between March and May 2006, Say Anything went on a cross-country tour of the US alongside Pistolita and the Bled.https://www.punknews.org/article/16139/say-anything-launches-first-video-add-more-dates Say Anything launches first video, add more dates Punknews.org Paul, Aubin March 7, 2006 January 22, 2022https://www.punknews.org/article/17163/contests-pistolita-say-anything-the-bled-in-philadelphia Pistolita / Say Anything / The Bled in Philadelphia Punknews.org White, Adam April 28, 2006 January 24, 2022 The trek included an appearance at The Bamboozle festival.https://www.punknews.org/article/15363/bamboozle-2006-lineup Bamboozle 2006 lineup Punknews.org Paul, Aubin January 23, 2006 November 23, 2021 "Alive with the Glory of Love" was released to radio on June 20, 2006.http://www.fmqb.com/Article.asp?id=16771 FMQB Airplay Archive: Modern Rock Friday Morning Quarterback Album Report, Incorporated October 31, 2016 March 22, 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20130322142732/http://www.fmqb.com/Article.asp?id=16771 dead Following this, Say Anything supported Dashboard Confessional on their headlining US tour in July and August 2006.https://www.punknews.org/article/17311/tours-dashboard-confessional-say-anything-ben-lee Dashboard Confessional / Say Anything / Ben Lee Punknews.org Paul, Aubin May 5, 2006 January 24, 2022 In October and November 2006, the band went on tour with Brand New, MewithoutYou and Piebald.http://www.altpress.com/index.php/news/entry/archive_1211 New Piebald album out in January 2007 Alternative Press September 5, 2006 August 4, 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160822043841/http://www.altpress.com/index.php/news/entry/archive_1211 August 22, 2016 dead mdy-all "Wow, I Can Get Sexual Too" was released to radio on January 30, 2007. 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.http://www.doghouserecords.com/v11/link_releasesDetail.php?detailID=123&bandID=Say%20Anything Vinyl Release Information Doghouse Records May 9, 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110604171556/http://www.doghouserecords.com/v11/link_releasesDetail.php?detailID=123&bandID=Say%20Anything June 4, 2011Beres Corey http://icorey.com/sadocs.html ...Is a Real Boy vinyl Say Anything docs @ icorey.com August 28, 2008 May 9, 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110713001852/http://icorey.com/sadocs.html July 13, 2011 Doghouse Records released the third re-issue of the album on October 7, 2008. Critical reception AbsolutePunk.net 99%http://absolutepunk.net/showthread.php?t=97070 ...Is a Real Boy Review Absolutepunk.net Jason Tate November 20, 2005 May 9, 2011 https://archive.today/20110723001744/http://absolutepunk.net/showthread.php?t=97070 July 23, 2011 AllMusic 4.5 5Apar Corey album r701019 yes ...Is a Real Boy Review AllMusic May 9, 2011 Blender 3.5 5 Entertainment Weekly B+https://ew.com/article/2006/02/27/real-boy/ ...Is a Real Boy Review Entertainment Weekly Michael Endelman Feb 27, 2006 May 9, 2011 Melodic 3 5http://www.melodic.net/?page=review&id=5288 Say Anything – Is a Real Boy Melodic Roth, Kaj December 15, 2006 July 18, 2017 Punknews.org 4.5 5 (2004)http://www.punknews.org/review/3175 Is a Real Boy Review Punknews.org August 16, 20043.5 5 (2006)https://www.punknews.org/review/5065/say-anything-is-a-real-boy-reissue Say Anything – ...Is a Real Boy (reissue) Punknews.org February 28, 2006 Rolling Stone 3 5https://www.rollingstone.com/artists/sayanything/albums/album/9227524/review/9253132/say_anything ...Is a Real Boy Review Rolling Stone https://web.archive.org/web/20090503160432/http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/sayanything/albums/album/9227524/review/9253132/say_anything May 3, 2009 dead Sputnikmusic 5 5https://www.sputnikmusic.com/review/32916/Say-Anything-...Is-a-Real-Boy/ ...Is a Real Boy Review Sputnikmusic Adam Knott October 16, 2009 Yahoo! Music Favorablehttp://music.yahoo.com/read/review/29601619 https://web.archive.org/web/20060303094511/http://music.yahoo.com/read/review/29601619 ...Is A Real Boy Yahoo! Music O'Connor, Rob February 10, 2006 March 3, 2006 January 27, 2020 ...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." 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." 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." 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." BuzzFeed included the album at number 19 on their "36 Pop Punk Albums You Need To Hear Before You F——ing Die" list.https://www.buzzfeed.com/mariasherm/36-pop-punk-albums-you-need-to-hear-before-you-f-ing-die 36 Pop Punk Albums You Need To Hear Before You F----ing Die Sherman, Maria Broderick, Ryan BuzzFeed July 2, 2013 July 29, 2015 January 17, 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160117141758/http://www.buzzfeed.com/mariasherm/36-pop-punk-albums-you-need-to-hear-before-you-f-ing-die dead "Alive with the Glory of Love" appeared on a best-of emo songs list by Vulture.https://www.vulture.com/article/best-emo-songs.html https://web.archive.org/web/20200213181251/https://www.vulture.com/article/best-emo-songs.html The 100 Greatest Emo Songs of All Time Vulture Cohen, Ian February 13, 2020 February 13, 2020 August 14, 2020 Spartanburg Herald-Journal include the album on their list of the best albums of the year.Griffin 2004, p. D12 Rolling Stone ranked the album among the 40 greatest emo albums of all-time. Cleveland.com ranked "Alive with the Glory of Love" at number 39 on their list of the top 100 pop-punk songs.https://www.cleveland.com/entertainment/2022/03/the-100-greatest-pop-punk-songs-of-all-time.html https://web.archive.org/web/20220303183529/https://www.cleveland.com/entertainment/2022/03/the-100-greatest-pop-punk-songs-of-all-time.html The 100 greatest pop punk songs of all time Cleveland.com Smith, Troy L. March 2, 2022 March 3, 2022 March 3, 2022 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.https://www.punknews.org/article/36083/at-the-drive-ins-one-armed-scissor-tops-aps-haircut-100-singles-countdown At The Drive-In's 'One Armed Scissor' tops AP's 'Haircut 100' singles countdown Punknews.org Paul, Aubin November 20, 2009 October 13, 2022 Track listing Original release: ...Is a Real Boy 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 Belt 4:59 Woe 3:55 The Writhing South 4:46 Alive with the Glory of Love 4:15 Yellow Cat (Slash) Red Cat 5:18 The Futile 2:45 Spidersong 3:57 An Orgy of Critics 3:55 Every Man Has a Molly 3:05 Slowly, Through a Vector 4:40 Chia-Like, I Shall Grow 4:56 I Want to Know Your Plans 5:12 Admit It!!! 6:12 Re-issue bonus disc: ...Was a Real Boy Wow, I Can Get Sexual Too 3:00 Little Girls 3:53 Most Beautiful Plague 4:53 It's a Metaphor, Fool 2:51 Total Revenge 3:27 Metal Now 2:44 I Will Never Write an Obligatory Song About Being on the Road and Missing Someone 3:49 Vinyl bonus track Walk Through Hell 3:30 This is a rerecording of an earlier version appearing on Menorah/Majora, and it also appears on the various artists compilations Punk the Clock 3 and Alternative Press Play, Vol. 1: Back to School. Chart performance Album Year Chart Position 2007 Top Heatseekers 8 Singles Year Single Chart Position 2006 Alive with the Glory of Love Modern Rock Tracks 28 Credits According to the liner notes: Max Bemis – vocals, guitar, bass, keyboards Coby Linder – percussion, drums Additional credits, also from the liner notes: Stephen Trask: additional keyboard and piano on ...Is a Real Boy Casey Prestwood – additional guitar and slide guitar on ...Is a Real Boy Casper Adams – vocals and guitar on "Metal Now" Ariel Rechtshaid: keyboard and programming on "Wow, I Can Get Sexual Too" Additional Vocals on ...Is a Real Boy: Caitlin Broderick, Patrick Carrie, Kyle Fischer, Robb MacLean, Robert Mann, Adrienne Pearson, Vanessa Peters, Blair Shehan, and Sierra Swan Gang vocals on ...Is a Real Boy: Casper Adams, Dan DeLauro, Aaron Farley, Carrick Moore Garety, Morgan Silver Greenberg, Paul Jeffrey, Tim O'Heir, Nick Panama, Austin Peters, Matt Rubin, Kevin Seaton, Bryan Sheffield, Claire Weiss, and Jeremy Weiss References Citations Sources Griffin Myles Best of the Year Spartanburg Herald-Journal December 31, 2004 https://books.google.com/books?id=ZUcuAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA32 Category:2004 albums Category:2000s concept albums Category:Rock operas Category:Say Anything (band) albums Category:J Records albums Category:Doghouse Records albums Category:Albums produced by Stephen Trask