rr_____ ~8---------ina---a-l' m ______________ ~Q ____n ______~ - -- --------E:-----n~!-0NOVEMBER 20-26, 2007 , ~______ lu__ ~ PAGE 7 "No. one'' should Lay your head, be with out this lend your ears: Say instant classic Anything is back almost impossible to not love. she differs from the other artists Guest vocalists from bands considered to be FERNANDA BoMAS ''All the songs are JEFF PRESNALL of this generation. An optimis­ StaffWriter the cornerstone of the modem rock scene can be StaffWriter tic view on heartbreak, she does good, all the lyrics heard helping out on this two-disk extravaganza. not sing about how it hurts and In the midst of a generation where bands are Heavy hitters Taking Back Sunday, New Found While listening to the just can't go on. Instead, she speaks have meaning; it is sounding more and more identical to each other, Glory, Dashboard Confessional, and My Chemi­ released album "As I Am" by of education through experi­ as refreshing as it is the Los Angeles based boys of Say Anything cal Romance are just four of the main head-turn­ Alicia Keys, I was thinking ence, singing: "It's all right, it's entertaznzng. " have invented a sound all there own. ing names featured. about whether am I the type of another lesson learned." In their new double-disk album, "In Defense Even lead singer Hayley Williams, of the re­ person who listens to music as The album "As I Am" has of the Genre," the band has taken their already cent up-incoming band ·Paramore, lends her ser­ background noise or do I sit and no trendy production; it is very been crossed it has been elimi­ original sound and morphed it into a vast array vices to one of the best duets of the album with listen to lyrics, melodies and simple and pure. Keys feature,s nated. of shapes of sizes. the track "The Church Channel." The wildly rhythm. no popular, or unknown, rap­ Keys does take advantage ' Incased into these 27 songs are attitude driv­ furious duet shows an unexpectedly honest and Then, I realized, with this pers; the only other guest vocal­ of her fame in other ways. On en lyrics, humanizing ballads, chaotic riffs, and upbeat perspective on each of their lives, lived album, it is impossible to push ist on the album is John Mayer, the case of her latest CD, next arguably the best unfriendly radio tracks of the directly in the public eye: "We both were born to it into the background. who sings on one track. He to her picture, is a little box of year. be one with that which the public scorns/though . Every note sung by Keys provides very discrete and for­ information on how to keep Caution: If you were looking for an album to you were forlorn in despair with your drugs and has soul and meaning; through gettable backup vocals on the a child alive. To me, that only have a catchy hook every word you can feel Keys "Lesson Learned." shows how different she really chorus and feel and· what she is going through. "As I Am" is a reflection of is from this generation of art­ good lyrics, go buy She has found a new way to sing Keys, it has no desperate ratio ists. She believes in a cause and the next Britney al­ about the things all R&B artists hit songs, its very transparent is helping out, but in a very dis­ bum. Say Anything have sung about for years: our of who she is, but I would ex­ crete way; in a way that she will takes no stragglers everyday struggles. pect nothing less of her. Com­ not be applauded for or that will and is here to rock With the simplicity of her ing into the music business as a garner more publicity. your socks off! piano notes, her scratching soul artist, she has never drifted It is easy to believe that Lead singer voice and help from artists like away from that title. Keys has Keys was born in the wrong and frontman Max John Mayer and Timbaland, she not conformed to what the me­ generation; that values appear­ Bemis has a unique has managed to create a whole dia has said to be beautiful or ance more than soul, of con­ perspective that he new world within her album. successful and her cover art is sumers who buy just to buy, assimilates into his or who want lyrics. "No matter fame just for what, even if I take the sake of my meds and I heal being famous myself, I'll still be and not for a insane," he told good cause. SPIN magazine's COURTESY// SAYANYTHING.COM Keys Trevor Kelley in Say .AJ;,.ything proves that they are anything but fading from the music is differ­ 2006. scene, despite the lack of radio play they get on Top 40 stations. ent from all It's been pub­ the artists licly acknowledge · around. Her that Max suffers from bi-polar disorder; so badly, your hardcore porn/Trust me, those days won't three studio in fact, that at one point he spent more than six be mourned." The song concludes as Max and albums have weeks in a mental hospital. Haley compete with their hauntingly powerful been both Now, years later, his lyrics reflect the emo vocals; with spine tingling majesty, each artist soulful and principals of life: my girlfriend doesn't under­ takes tum in belting out the words "So lay your meaningful. stand, my life won't ever get better, something head on me!" All three did about burning up a black hole, and basically all It took two disks, twenty-seven songs, and not cry out subject maters that fall under the category of way more than the average number of guest vo­ for recogni­ 'emo rock.' cals, but Say Anything has lived up to being one tion or hit For all the doubters who already are dismiss­ of the most anticipated albums in 2007. COURTESY// ALICIAKEYSFAN.COM singles; her ing this album thinking that they will be hearing You might have to clear your schedule to The only guest artist on Keys' new album, John Mayer collaboratecl. with her talent got her just another whiney emo record, think again. fully appreciate the extensive eighty-nine min­ on "Lesson Learnecl.." to where she That couldn't be further from the truth. ute run time for both CDs, but the progressive is today. To­ Unlike other soft-spoken Total Request Live sounds showcased prove that every song is an Her single "No One" was evidence of this; there are no day with "As I Am," Keys is at pop-punk bands, Say Anything makes you hear essential one. an immediate success when it provocative photos of Keys. a maturity level as an artist and their message loud and cl~ar. Say Anything's new album allows them the hit the radio, much like previ­ This is true not only with as a person that makes her a role Screechy guitar solos, electronic club-like perfect opportunity to win over the hearts of rock ous Keys singles like "Fallin," her photos but with music vid­ model for her generation. The bass beats, lurid noisy vocals, and an insane fans everywhere and further advance themselves off her debut album. eos and live performances. influence of her talent should number of guest appear;mces make this album with, arguably, the best album of the year. "No One" is a great intro­ Keys has not accepted the norm spread across the industry, and duction to the album, but that's that "beautiful" means showing help it to create some actual, it. Songs like "Superwoman" skin. Unlike artists like Britney valuable music. and "Lesson Learned" is where Spears that in every possible It is common .for an album the heart of the album is. "Su­ occasion is showing something, to consist of songs put together perwoman" is an inspirational from midriffs to underwear, to occupy space, and are con­ song that speaks to the empow­ Keys has never dropped to that sidered good if it has a hit sin­ erment of women, the inner standard. gle "As !Am" is an uncommon, power that Keys believes all Don't get me wrong, there valuable record. All the songs women have. is nothing wrong with showing are good, all the lyrics have "Lesson Learned" caught a little skin, but there is a limit meaning; it is as refreshing as my attention because it showed of tastefulness, and with most it is entertaining, and one of the . how creative Keys is and how artists today that limit has not best albums of 2007. TANNING Students tan for just Open 7 days a week! ·$25.00! BUFFALO NICKEL GOOD FOR ONE FREE HOUR OF GOT$20? Directly across from Any bed you choose. PLAY THE NEXT TIME YOU :rwo People • TWO Beers ssu. COME INTO &UFFALO &IWAltD6 TWO Hours of Pool Not valid wit h a ny other offer. Not valid with any other offer. M.,.t Show Stljdent ID One coupon per party per day. Walk To Us!! A GIFT FOR YOU! 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