Polarity

by Max Bemis

[alindstadtcorbeax]

Star Rating: 3.5 Stars!

I love Max Bemis. I really do. I see Say Anything every time they tour, especially if his wife, Sherri DuPree Bemis is with (Their song, Cemetery ft. Sherri is my hubby and my song- I even have a line of the lyrics tattooed on me). He’s hella talented... anyone who can write songs as fast as he does- QUALITY songs at that- (it’s like- honestly crazy how much and how fast he can write) amazes me.

I’m not sure how someone unfamiliar with his musical works and such would take this in? I feel like you need to check out his top songs on iTunes first if you aren’t familiar w his band lol. But ANYWAY.

This debut, was DECENT. I just didn’t like the constant mention of the hipster and indie culture that he resented and lived in and the atmosphere of irony and all that bc the very vibe he was making fun of he was also putting out, if that makes sense ?

Mental health wise, I am also bipolar, but depressive bipolar, so I have never had such an intense manic Episode as he has I’m sure, but I have had them. I wasn’t offended by the comics at all, and quite enjoyed the magnifying glass he used to make mania that much bigger. He also made it clear that the main character was on pretty heavy drugs a lot of the time which made the mania pretty wild. So... no problems w/ offensiveness or anything there.

Within all the crazy happenings, there was a very clear message, which I did appreciate, because I know how hard this must have been for max to express and... get out.

I do plan to read more of his comics- I want to find the one that clicks instead of one I just sorta like. I know I love his writing so, it’s out there!

Again, the only thing I didn’t like about the storyline was how cringeworthy the mention of Brooklyn hipster culture (or indie or emo or hippie kids) repeatedly had gotten. He was trying to convey that though he was a part of it, it actually was completely overrated and quite troubling- and that he wanted no part of it anymore.

BUT even though his hate for it is obvious and he feels that it is a negative representation of our generations’ culture... he instead almost glorified it at times?


I know his real life story best as any fan can, so I can understand why he feels how he feels... and what he probably was TRYING to convey... but for me it just didn’t come through completely. I hated that he HAD to constantly mention the scene. Maybe, though, that’s because not everyone has been a part of it in a way, or knows what it is? I don’t know.

I DO enjoy his writing and creativity;
(and could gush about it for hours, as well as his writing with his wife, Sherri :-D, ah, and Chris Conley- lead singer of Saves the Day)
(oh and I AM sorry if you know all that, just every time I ask someone if they know them I get a uhmmm I don’t think so? Lol)
I look forward to reading his stuff in the future :-).