Parents Guide to “Emo” Music – Understanding Your Teen’s Music

by: Ezra Ryan Roa @http://searchwarp.com

Some parents claim to not understand their teenager or the loud racket that blares from their stereo. For those parents who want to understand where your teens are coming from and why, just why, their son feels he should wear girl’s jeans and eyeliner, this list of “emo" albums is for you.

Emo music, also know as “Emotional" music, has been around for years but only in the last decade has it really made a dent in the popular music culture. In the last ten years, Emo music has branched out from its post-hardcore roots into the wide variety of genres it has to offer today.

Emo music mostly consist of bands who sing, or scream, about relationships, breakups and other tragic events in every young adult’s life. These vocal styling’s are usually backed by aggressive rock guitars and heavy drum beats, reminiscent of its post-hardcore background.
Emo music, since its beginning, has always spoken to the “younger crowd" of teenaged angst but has now evolved into a more expectable style of music for the “older crowd" to enjoy.
Thus, for someone who has no earthly clue about emo music, this list is for them. This is “The 10 Essential Emo CD Collection from 1996-2006."

10. The Postal Service - Give Up (2002)
The title alone screams “EMO!" The Postal Service is the side-project of Death Cab for Cutie front man, Ben Gibbard. Gibbard steps away from his indie roots to deliver a beautiful techno-emo album unlike anything people have ever heard. Most notable songs: “Such Great Heights," “Nothing Better," and “Clark Gable."

9. Taking Back Sunday - Tell All Your Friends (2002)
TBS took the idea of “dueling vocals" to a new level as they delivered a masterpiece of aggressive heartbreak songs to the masses. Their lyrics are witty and devilishly sinister as both Adam Lazzara and John Nolan sing about love, and love loss. Most notable songs: “The Blue Channel," “There’s no ‘I’ in Team," “You Know How I Do," and “Cute without the E (Cut from the Team)."

8. Ozma - Rock ‘n Roll Part 3 (2001)
Ozma took a step to the side of typical emo music by getting in touch with their younger side. Their music lets you know that it’s ok to reminisce about the good ‘ole days staying up late and playing Nintendo. Geeks unite in this classic! Most notable songs: “Natalie Portman," “Baseball," “Battlescars," and “In Search of 1988."

7. Jimmy Eat World - Clarity (2001)
This band from Arizona has hit the charts on many occasions with songs from the self titled album, but it was “Clarity" that rocketed these “Emo Heroes" to the top of young people’s hearts. “Clarity" is the perfect balance of love, loss, and hope. Most notable songs: “Lucky Denver Mint," “Your New Aesthetic," “Blister," and “Clarity."

6. Northstar - Pollyanna (2004)
Inventive, new, creative! These are all words that can describe all the songs from this Alabama based band’s second album. Nick Torres is, by far, the closest thing emo has to modern day poet. His lyrics and melodies crawl under your skin so you can’t ever get them out of your body. Face it, “Pollyanna" will become a part of you and your everyday life. Most notable songs: “For Members Only," “The Pornographer’s Daughter," “Two Zero Two," and “Rocket City."

5. The Get Up Kids - Four Minuet Mile (1997)
Though it is the rawest material these “Emo Kings" ever released, it’s also their best. Poorly recorded in ’97, these (at the time) young lads poured out their hearts to the world. They gave everything they had on this record as if all of them were going to die the next day and never record anything else. Their frustration and excitement about leaving their loved ones behind for the chance at success can be heard on all the tracks. By far, the best garage style emo record ever! Most notable songs: “Coming Clean," “Don’t Hate Me," “Better Half," and “Shorty."

4.Brand New - Deja Entendu (2003)
This album broke all the rule of music in general. It stared critics in the eyes and said, “We don’t care what you think!" These talented New Jersey boys left their pop-punk roots behind to record the most daring, sophisticated, and egotistical album the “Emo World" has ever seen. A must have for anyone who is tired of music following rules and guidelines. Most notable songs: “Sic Transit Gloria…Glory Fades," “Okay I Believe You, but My Tommy Gun Don’t," “The Quiet Things that No One Ever Knows," and “The Boy Who Blocked His Own Shot."

3. Saves The Day - I’m Sorry I’m Leaving (1998)
This acoustic E.P. is a small collection of some of emo music’s greatest songs ever written and recorded. It laid the foundation for future acts to see what real heartfelt acoustic should sound like. Songs about desire and romance; love loss and understanding; and songs about missing those who are closest to you. Beautifully written and extremely catchy, this album will be enjoyed by both girls and boys alike for years to come. Most notable songs: “I’m Sorry I’m Leaving," “Hold," “The Way His Collar Falls," and “Jesse and my Whetstone."

2. Dashboard Confessional - The Places You Have Come to Fear the Most (2001)
We have all heard Chris Carrabba’s “Vindicated" off the Spiderman 2 Soundtrack, but have you heard anything else from this brilliant man? If not, then please, please, pick up this album. No one can match the sounds of want and desire that pours form his vocals, even to the point of passionate screams cracking on the recording. What he brings to the table is real, pure emotion. Honestly, after hearing one of his records, you personally will want to go find who hurt this man (and inspired his music) and then hurt them for torturing him so bad. Most notable songs: “The Brilliant Dance," “Again I Go Unnoticed," “This Bitter Pill," “The Best Deceptions," and “Screaming Infidelities."

1. Weezer - Pinkerton (1996)
This is the record that brought emo music to where it is today. Without this masterpiece of carefully crafted greatness, emo music would not exist today. Weezer, the Godfathers of emo, stepped out of their “major label" box to craft a rollercoaster of emotions from love, regret, wanting, hating, thriving and any other powerful emotional word you can fit on this page. Let’s just say if it wasn’t for Weezer, your kids would be listening to show tunes on a constant basis. Weezer gave everyone in the music industry the understanding that you can be on a major label and still record music you truly believe in, not just what the record executives want you to hear. Most notable songs: “Tired of Sex," “Getchoo," “Across the Sea," “Pink Triangle," and “Butterfly."

Hopefully this can help you make a step towards understating the music your teen listens to. Showing an interest in their music will bring you closer together. And who knows, maybe one day they will invite you to a show!