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In Defense Of The Genre
by
In Defense Of The Genre Image
Metascore
79

Generally favorable reviews - based on 10 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.3

Generally favorable reviews- based on 38 Ratings

  • Summary: The two-disc album contains more than two dozen guests, including Gerard Way of My Chemical Romance, Chris Carrabba of Dashboard Confessional, and Chad Gilbert of New Found Glory.

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 10
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 10
  3. Negative: 0 out of 10
  1. Entertainment Weekly
    91
    Unexpected as they are, Defense's sonic twists almost always work, justifying the album's 89-minute run time.
  2. Alternative Press
    90
    Bemis successfully came out of the other side on In Defense Of The Genre, producing an opus that musicians more than twice his age could only hope to create. [Dec 2007, p.185]
    All this publication's reviews
  3. Sputnikmusic
    90
    Defense of the Genre is the best major label release of the year, and the most surprising album to boot.
  4. Spin
    80
    Yet with its detours into slick synth pop, weepy roots rock, and big Broadway music, the sprawling Genre proves that emo needn't be boxed in by stylistic dogma. [Dec 2007, p.120]
    All this publication's reviews
  5. 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.
  6. Lost At Sea
    65
    In Defense of the Genre does defeat the emo stigma and the double CD stigma easily, and does improve slightly on the pretty-good "…Is a Real Boy." But these are minor inventions; any "genius" is pretty much limited to the bites and nuggets reported here.
  7. PopMatters
    60
    It’s the same Say Anything that we’ve heard before, only this time around, they’ve switched out their melodic focus for an expanded musical palette, which is ultimately a gift and a curse at the same time.

See all 10 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 19
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 19
  3. Negative: 2 out of 19
  1. HunterG.
    Sep 2, 2008
    10
    Say anything is defiantly one of the greatest bands of its generation. Lead singer, Max bemis, is truly one of the best songwriters of all time.
  2. MarkP.
    Nov 23, 2007
    10
    Max Bemis is God!!! Anyone who says different should die.
  4. JoshN
    Nov 4, 2007
    10
    Many wondered where Say Anything would go after the critically acclaimed ...Is A Real Boy. With this definitive answer, Say Anything has Many wondered where Say Anything would go after the critically acclaimed ...Is A Real Boy. With this definitive answer, Say Anything has silenced the naysayers. This album is amazing, and so cohesive that it's almost mind boggling. Ridiculously catchy, and the lyrics are just near insanity (pun intended). Very very enjoyable, and an album you all must buy.… Expand
  5. MaryJane
    Dec 27, 2007
    10
    First off if you don't think this cd is great then you dont know what your missing. And second off you have to be in a certain state of First off if you don't think this cd is great then you dont know what your missing. And second off you have to be in a certain state of mind to understand any of the lyrics on the cd. and third your all really gay this is one of their best fucking cds ever.… Expand
  6. ACDCritic
    Dec 5, 2007
    9
    Excellent CD. Lots of unnecessary tracks but enough great tracks there (around 17 out of 27) to be fully recommended anyway. It's really Excellent CD. Lots of unnecessary tracks but enough great tracks there (around 17 out of 27) to be fully recommended anyway. It's really an epic and fantastic album and a great evolution for the band.… Expand
  7. daniell.
    Feb 6, 2008
    8
    Some amazing songs but then there are some ones that i dont think are too strong but i guess i cant like every song on a 2 disc set, the Some amazing songs but then there are some ones that i dont think are too strong but i guess i cant like every song on a 2 disc set, the backing vocals are what makes this kenny vasoli, max bemis, and hailey of paramore on the same song is just too great to be true max is a great song writer but there are like 6 songs that seem too forced so it gets an eight from me but max is just incredible even tough this cd isn't his best, ps eric c has no idea what he is talking about do you play an instrument or write music this is soooo different from the average emo band and in defense of the genre is saying how they like the emo genre what is music without emotion..... its not music thats for sure.… Expand
  8. [Anonymous]
    Nov 13, 2007
    1
    Some people don't know the difference between good music and bad music THIS is bad music.

See all 19 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

86
#86 Best Album of 2007