Emo+Music

=**Emo Music**= toc

Emo, short for "emotional", is a genre of music that initially emerged out of punk rock, although it is now used loosely to describe several different styles of rock music. In general, it is very melodic, poetic and raw. It combines soft elements with hard ones, and has the ability to reach many different audiences. “Emo” lyrics are quite possibly the element that makes “emo” what it is.

History
It seems hard to pin point where and when “emo” actually emerged. Many critics would say that all music, in the broad sense is emotional. But, it is believed that the term and genre rose out of D.C around 1984, when softer, more melodic punk rock began taking over the music scene. [|[1]] Bands such as Rites of Spring, who retained the hardcore punk sound but paralleled it with passionate vocals and personal lyrics. Further into the 80’s other bands such as Embrace, with emotional and self-questioning lyrics, influenced the scene. Also Moss Icon, with intricate melodies and loud/soft vocal and guitar dynamics. [|[2]]

After the mainstream success of Nu metal in the music industry in 1990s, the indie emo scene emerged. The music was slowly moving away from the chaotic elements of punk rock and rap and focusing more on the melodic. [|[3]] Bands such as Sunny Day Real Estate put forth an album in 1994, within the midst of the grunge period, and the band gained popularity so did the term “emo" as it is used today. [|[4]] Indie emo began to grow as the 90’s progressed and gained national attention in the United States. Several bands such as The Get Up Kids and Jimmy Eat World emerged and were quite successful. [|[5]] Weezer, a very well known band put out the album “Pinkerton” in 1996 and is widely considered as an important album, helping shape the mainstream emo movement. The late 1990’s saw a trend towards major-label emo acts. Emo gained mainstream attention as being the “new” trend to watch. From 2000 to the present, the term emo became broadly used within the mainstream to describe the genre of music. [|[6]] Jimmy Eat World was still coined emo, and bands such as Dashboard Confessional and Something Corporate, The Used, and Taking back Sunday, Alexisonfire were also labeled emo. This proves that the term is used to cover a broad range of music, although it too has been split into sub-genres such as screamo (characterized by the screaming vocals). It satisfies the mainstream need to label music, to find where it fits within current trends.

Influence on pop culture
Punk music went hand in hand with a certain style, as does hip-hop, and grunge and country for example, therefore it seems fit that emo also became a fashion statement. It is not un-common to see mainstream magazines with tips on how to dress “emo”. From argyle sweaters to Converse shoes, to thick-rimmed classes, scarves, and cutesy skirts, and guys wearing girl jeans, the emo style most definitely emerged as unique. Emo music was embraced by popular television shows such as The O.C, One Tree Hill, and Laguna Beach possibly because the music seemed to fit the teenage drama and emotion. New bands were introduced to a mass audience through show soundtracks.
 * Example of an article printed in a teen magazine about emo:**

**Band Lists**

 * I am aware of the issues regarding the classification of music, and that some of these artists may or not want to be labeled emo! But, maybe this list will introduce you to some new artists! Feel Free to Add More!

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 * Bright Eyes
 * The Used
 * Hawthorne Heights
 * Taking Back Sunday
 * Dashboard Confessional
 * Brand New
 * Fall Out Boy
 * The Ataris
 * Something Corporate
 * Jack’s Mannequin
 * Novice
 * Coheed and Cambria
 * The Get Up Kids
 * Moneen
 * Silverstein
 * The Juliana Theory
 * My Chemical Romance
 * Good Charlotte

[|[1]] Andy Radin: What the heck is Emo anyway? History. **http://www.fourfa.com/ [|[2]]** Andy Radin: What the heck is Emo anyway? History. http://www.fourfa.com/ [|[3]] Andy Radin: What the heck is Emo anyway? History. http://www.fourfa.com/ [|[4]] Emo (music) Wikipedia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emo_%28music%29 [|[5]] Emo (music) Wikipedia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emo_%28music%29 [|[6]] Emo (music) Wikipedia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emo_%28music%29 Image From: http://putaqueopariu.com.br/blog/uploaded_images/emo-779578.gif