By Katie Surkin
A lot of people have conflicting opinions on emo. A lot of people are wrong. But something we should all agree on is that, before you can form an opinion of any substance, you must study the classic literature. I made it my personal mission to identify the most influential, need-to-know early emo albums. If you’ve been looking to impress the girl with dyed hair in your philosophy class, or just want to expand your musical horizons, there’s no better place to start than here. Don’t worry, you can thank me later. What follows is the ultimate starter’s guide to becoming a manipulator:
American Football – Self Titled (LP 1)
If an album could be a warm blanket, it would be American Football’s 1999 classic LP 1. Made in just four days, it has become one of the scene’s most influential albums, especially in the emo revival of the 2010s. Focusing on themes of growing pains and lost love, Mike Kinsella and his bandmates created a unique melancholy that can’t be found anywhere else. LP 1 is the seminal “Midwest Emo” album, in which American Football blends a classic DIY emo foundation with influences of math rock and jazz. This album cements the use of brass instruments as a crucial tool in the arsenal of emo bands.
Pick one: Never Meant
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Texas Is The Reason – Do You Know Who You Are?
While Don’t You Know Who You Are? is a lesser known album from the scene, it’s arguably one of the most revolutionary. Born out of a desire to move away from the aggression of hardcore without abandoning its emotional intensity, TITR created an emotional space in post-hardcore. Their songs avoid theatrics, opting instead for subtle build-ups and intricate guitar interplay that create a quiet confidence and mystique that set them apart. This album is packed with references to JFK, which steeped the album in symbolism and emotional vulnerability.
View here for Blog’s full analysis of this album!
Pick one: Back And To The Left
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Sunny Day Real Estate – Diary
“I’m not emo, okay?” “Then why are you listening to Sunny Day Real Estate.”
Sunny Day Real Estate’s Diary is one of the most foundational albums in the genre, positioning itself at stark opposition to the thriving grunge scene. SDRE created a delicate balance of post-hardcore’s intensity with slower, groovier tempos (and of course, wailing, tortured vocals). Their lyrics are abstract and cryptic, in an almost Cocteau Twins-ian fashion, whose delivery builds emotion without detracting from the musical surges and swells throughout each song. Before you know it, you’ll be an outcast, sulking on the gym bleachers with an Alkaline Trio sticker on your shitty boombox.
Pick one: In Circles
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Tigers Jaw – Self Titled
Lovingly called “Pizza Album”, Tigers Jaw creates the perfect blend of emo longing, whiny vocals, intricate guitarwork, captivating basslines, and layered harmonies. If you’ve never listened to emo before, this might be the album that converts you. One of the things I love most about Tigers Jaw is their use of synth, which became more prominent with each album. They may not be breaking any boundaries, but they’ve created a perfect and unique sound that you can’t find anywhere else. Raw, reliable, catchy, fun, and heartwrenching, Tigers Jaw checks all the emo boxes.
Pick one: Between Your Band and the Other Band
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Lifetime – Self Titled
Practically none of these bands could have existed without Lifetime. Across hardcore, punk, and emo, Lifetime is consistently cited as their biggest inspiration. And yet, they never got the same recognition as their successors– but maybe that’s how they like it. Though their overall rhythm and energy leans heavily towards hardcore and punk, their heartfelt lyricism and layered harmonies are quintessential emo. In a way, they reunited three genres that are often pitted against each other, and nothing makes me more emotional than a classic tale of enemies-to-lovers.
Pick one: Just a Quiet Evening
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Cap’n Jazz – Analphabetapolothology
Cap’n Jazz’s Analphabetapolothology (say that five times fast) cultivates a perfect balance of carefree youth and emotional depth. Their guitar, bass, and vocals are purposefully and uniquely sloppy, conveying urgency to the listener; meanwhile, the drums restrain the chaos and provide a stable throughline. Their childish vocals are often comprised of illogical and ramble-y lyrics, with a particular fondness for word play. The album might seem half-assed or inaccessible at first, but when you let your pretentiousness fall away, you’ll become immersed in their emotions and understand the hidden depth of their work.
Pick one: Oh Messy Life
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The Get Up Kids – Something To Write Home About
Something to Write Home About was essential in defining the melodic emo-punk genre with synth heavy, extremely catchy heartbreak songs. The album is built around memorable, sticky hooks and jumpy synth lines, which became more central to their sound as they matured. These same signature traits can be traced back to their debut album, Four Minute Mile. Despite it being their debut album, it is arguably the most influential because of its showcase of a wide range of styles. Songs like “Better Half”, reflect early examples of what would be later called midwest emo through “twinkly” melancholic guitar layers, while songs like “Don’t Hate Me” highlight qualities of their later sound with a more aggressive twist.
Pick one: I’m A Loner Dottie, A Rebel … Pick two: Better Half
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Braid – Frame & Canvas
Frame & Canvas is one of emo’s most prized possessions. The raw, emotional songwriting is a perfect example of the midwest’s spin on emo/post-hardcore. Braid’s lyrics often feature calls-and responses, with a sharp contrast between their two vocalists: Bob Nanna’s clean, Chicagoan-steeped melodies and Chris Broach’s whiny, dissonant shouts. The dichotomy of these vocals bring an intricate and uniquely energetic layer to their music. Not to mention, every single song has a different, technical guitar riff that makes each song stand out. All of the tracks on the album are unique in their own way, fusing math-rock, hardcore, and pop influences. Compared to their previous releases, they really found their signature sound with this album.
Pick one: Never Will Come For Us
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I compiled all the “pick one’s” into a succinct Spotify playlist for you. Again, you’re welcome. Click here for the Ultimate (Abridged) Starter’s Guide to Emo playlist!
