I'll See You When We're Both Not So Emotional - The Classics: Part 2.

The Classics

• Mineral
• The Promise Ring
• Sunny Day Real Estate
• Texas is the Reason
• Thursday

Recommended Albums

 Mineral - EndSerenading (1998)

Mineral released only the two full-length albums, this and The Power of Failing, both of which you'd be wise to check out. They're of similar quality but I've chosen EndSerenading as this is my personal favorite of the two, but only marginally. This album is characterised by its softer approach.. Take the albums opener, for example. Lovelettertypewriter features barely any instrumentation at all. Just a ethereal guitar lead, Chris Simpson's beautiful voice and his sensitive lyrics. The album soon picks up but it doesn't quite have the same energy. However, it more than makes up for it with its melody, intelligent lyrics and wistful nature.

 

The Promise Ring -  Nothing Feels Good (1997)

Regarded as one of the pioneers of the second wave of emo music, this album represents where The Promise Ring really began to define themselves. Moving on from the debut, this album is quick to progress on its journey into pop territory. This was one of the first albums to really blend together pop punk and emo music and its influence is still felt today. As you'd probably expect, the music is extremely catchy and upbeat. The production is really clean and it has some truly terrific choruses exuding the ever present sense of sentimentality that their music always seemed to have.

 

Sunny Day Real Estate - Diary (1994)

Considered to be the defining album of the second wave of emo. Sunny Day Real Estate may just be my favorite emo band of all-time. When it comes to choosing a favorite LP in their discography, I'm spoiled for choice. Diary is undoubtedly the most influential but my ultimate favorite is probably the overlooked self-titled album. Diary is considered to have laid much of the foundations for the emo in the 1990's, alongside Weezer. The album made the genre accessible to new audiences who had previously had trouble getting into the genre. It features a neat mix of elements, from quieter arpeggiated sections to more dynamic, energetic ones. This album hints at all sorts of potential for the band and, in particular, their vocalist Jeremy Enigk, who is perhaps a little less distinctive on this effort than he is on their later albums. Regardless, it's a breathtaking effort for a debut.

Texas is the Reason - Do You Know Who We Are? (1996)

Another emo band whose career was short-lived. The title of the album is supposedly the last thing said by John Lennon before he died. There are a few key features to this album which make it what it is. The first being Garret Klahn's nasal vocals. Thankfully, the strength of his voice is such that the nasal qualities don't become overbearing with the mix of the instrumentation. He's actually quite a warm and inviting vocalist. The lyrics also go some way to strengthening his appeal as the front man. They express a discontent and loneliness that's pretty typical of the emo genre today.  Texas is the Reason never really had a niche. They weren't overly poppy, they weren't that hardcore, nor were they as technical as a number of the other bands around the same era but they were honest, passionate and good at what they did.

Thursday - Full Collapse (2001)

Thursday were one of the first bands to receive mainstream exposure. They charted at #178 on The Billboard 200 and had a couple of popular singles, including "Cross Out the Eyes". The albums success was born of the bands ability to create a well engineered sound, utilising rhythmic bass lines and captivating melodies which weren't too overpowering. What I like about this album is that it isn't afraid to push the boundaries and is rarely ever predictable. I think the variety of vocals on offer, which includes clean singing and understandable screams, makes a real difference to the album, as does the variation in pacing within the songs and the album in general. Fast, crunchy melodies are contrasted with slower sections to great effect.

I'll See You When We're Both Not So Emotional - The Classics: Part 1.

The Classics

• American Football
• Braid
• Cap'n Jazz
• The Get Up Kids
• Jimmy Eat World 

Recommended Albums

Luckily for us, this section is chock-a-block with top albums that have stood the test of time. By this stage of emo's development, the genre had begun to mature and diversify, developing a closer relationship to the cult fan base it had acquired during the early part of the 1990's.

American Football - American Football (1999)

Formed in 1997, split-up in 2000. American Football's career may have been short-lived but their impact was lasting and their influence undeniable. Alongside bands like Jawbreaker and Sunny Day Real Estate, a lot of modern emo acts have gone on to take a lot of influence from this monolithic album. I especially love this album for its youthfulness and Steve Lamos' incredibly melancholic use of the trumpet on tracks like "Summer Ends". Mike Kinsella (formerly of Cap'n Jazz), the bands lead vocalist and guitarist, has since gone on to establish himself as a solo artist with his band Owen.

 

Braid - Frame & Canvas (1998)

This album was released to critical acclaim and is considered a staple of the late 90's emo movement and rightly so. Although this album may lack the youthful energy of their previous album, this one more than makes up for it in its technical melodies which linger in the mind long after the record has run its course. Unfortunately, stresses over money and differences in opinion over which direction the band should take eventually led to their first break-up in 1999, only one year after the success of this album. I'd recommend listening to The Age of Octeen too.

 

Cap'n Jazz - Burritos, Inspiration Point, Fork Balloon Sports, Cards In The Spokes, Automatic Biographies, Kites, Kung Fu, Trophies, Banana Peels We've Slipped On and Egg Shells We've Tippy Toed Over (1994)

 Cap'n Jazz were such a talented band. Their energy is unrivaled and they have this charming youthfulness about their music which is, at times, abrasive - as shown on the very first song with its chaotic structure and agonised screamed vocals. If you hated school and the people around you when you were growing up, then this is probably the perfect record for you. It harks back to the days of gym class, secretly smoking and not giving a shit. This album is so full of emotion, it's difficult not to get wrapped up in it. Within the space of a 3-minute song, you'll feel every bit of frustration they're feeling, every ounce of discontent but, most of all, you'll be intoxicated by the exuberance and passion of the album.

The Get Up Kids - Something To Write Home About (1999)

Their debut, entitled Four Minute Mile, is actually my preferred choice of the two albums but this is their most well known effort and that's why I have chosen it. The first album had a DIY punk feel to it and is probably the less experimental album of the two. This album features keyboards, for example, and whilst that alienated a section of their fan base, it opened up the door to new fans. The essential features of their style are the same on both albums but the keyboards add an extra dimension to the shape of their music and the production is much more refined. Personally, I enjoy the gritty production of the debut but this makes they catchy pop punk hooks far more accessible.

 

Jimmy Eat World - Clarity (1999)

Jimmy Eat World begins and ends here, folks. The rest of their discography unfortunately fails to live up to the foundations that this album laid down. This album, with its dynamic instrumentation, is what drew critical and cult success for the band. It's also the album which would go on to have such a massive impact and influence within the emo genre for years to come. The strongest feature of this album is definitely Jim Adkins heartfelt approach as he provides by vocals and guitars. This album has a real mix of things to keep the listener happy. From ballads to orchestras, from fantastic hooks to the excellent drum work. A staple for any emo fans diet.