So They Say is pretty much the epitome of everything I like and realize sucks about emo. Their songs adhere strictly to the paint by numbers formula, and I found myself only liking certain parts of each song, most notably the introductions. Emo intros are usually the best part of the song, for some reason they seem to offer the best opportunity for something original. Sadly with most also-ran Emo outfits the intros generally emolve into something dull and predictable. "Antidote for Irony" has a cool screeching guitar during the pre-chorus, and "Anxiety is Setting In" a nice creeping intro and awesome drumming patterns. Similarly "Good-Bye" and "In Essence We Are Falling" start off with interesting drum beats accompanying some arresting guitar work. In the middle and end of the the majority of these tracks, however, are the same formulaic emo trappings with only bits and pieces of likable originality - surrounded by obvious Emo filler that you can practically sing along with on your first listen. The only two songs that really stood out were "Over Exposed Photo," which sounded like something from Reggie and the Full Effect, and the ballad, "Act Like You're Listening, Till it's Your Turn to Talk," which had ongoing syncopated electro-drums that made it actually sound different from every other song on the album. I probably would have loved this album back in my high school days, but now it just sounds kinda bland to me. Don't get me wrong, it's a solid emo album, but other than some solid intro work, it just doesn't offer anything new or different.