In Defense Of The Genre
by Say Anything
User Score
7.3

Generally favorable reviews- based on 38 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 29 out of 38
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 38
  3. Negative: 8 out of 38

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  1. EricC.
    Nov 29, 2007
    4
    Honestly, what am I missing with these guys? I've listened to both discs twice, and I can't find anything that separates them from other generic emo bands (I know they hate the word "emo", but really, it's what they are). They are a level above other emo bands, maturity-wise. Some of the lyrics really surprised me, in a good way. But the music doesn't elevate them, and Honestly, what am I missing with these guys? I've listened to both discs twice, and I can't find anything that separates them from other generic emo bands (I know they hate the word "emo", but really, it's what they are). They are a level above other emo bands, maturity-wise. Some of the lyrics really surprised me, in a good way. But the music doesn't elevate them, and just comes across as run-of-the-mill and too familiar. I wanted to like Say Anything, but I'll probably end up giving this album to a friend. So seriously, if I really am missing something, tell me (I'm not being a sarcastic jerk). Otherwise, I'll have to shrug this band off, and never hear them again. I won't call them overrated. Acclaim isn't easy to come by. But I am confused as to what everyone else sees in them.… Expand

Awards & Rankings

86
#86 Best Album of 2007

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
79

Generally favorable reviews - based on 10 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 10
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 10
  3. Negative: 0 out of 10
  1. AllMusic
    70
    Bemis may be seeking to defend the emo genre, but his album instead illustrates the difference between run-of-the-mill emo--which, indeed, comprises most of the genre's output--and the imaginative, skillful tunes that flourish here. The only major downside is the album's length.
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  2. Entertainment Weekly
    91
    Unexpected as they are, Defense's sonic twists almost always work, justifying the album's 89-minute run time.
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  3. Rolling Stone
    60
    When Bemis is on--shuffling between a touching Latinate melody and an ace, bloodletting chorus on 'Hangover Song,' delivering the sugar-rush pop of 'Shiksa (Girlfriend)'--his songs are tuneful and invigorating.
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