Kevin Bronson on September 2nd, 2009

1

But how does Max Bemis really feel? The 25-year-old hellion behind the L.A. band Say Anything cuts loose in the first single from his band’s forthcoming fourth album, “Say Anything” (due Oct. 13). Bemis’ sharp songwriting, displayed on 2004’s “… Is a Real Boy” (which is virtually an album of classic rock) and 2007’s “In Defense of the Genre,” has set Say Anything apart from legions of emo and pop-punk soundalikes. I’m not sure “Hate Everyone” reflects Bemis’ sophistication – it’s more of a “hey-we’ve-got-an-album-coming” single – but it’s fine for a little catharsis on a steamy afternoon.

||| Live: Say Anything performs Oct. 14 at the House of Blues Anaheim and Nov. 22 at the Troubadour.