Ahhh, yes, 2004: a year characterized by Bratz dolls, Shrek 2, The Da Vinci Code…and emo kids. It almost feels like yesterday, yet we’re talking about a time from two decades ago.
Let us rip that bandage off for you: 2004 is now as far away from today as 2044. Freaky, right?
So, why are we talking about 2004?
Well… 2004 was an important year for music, of course! It was an especially important year if you were an OG emo kid. After all, many of the subculture’s defining albums were released in the early-mid 2000’s. This includes artists who are still selling out tours and indoctrinating a whole new generation of emo kids to this day.
If you need a refresher on the bangers of yesterday, here are some of our favorite emo albums (from 2004) that are turning 20 this year. Oof.
Say Anything – …Is A Real Boy
Say Anything’s classic emo album, ….Is A Real Boy, was released by Doghouse Records on August 3, 2004. It was the band’s second studio album release. From it, you may remember bangers like the intense “Alive with the Glory of Love,” or the spicy “Wow, I Can Get Sexual Too.”
My Chemical Romance – Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge
Another sophomore album release, Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge by My Chemical Romance was released on June 8, 2004, via Reprise Records. This album’s release day may as well be commemorated as a certified emo holiday. After all, this album is home to several emo classics like “I’m Not Okay (I Promise),” “The Ghost of You,” and “Helena” (which has one of the most iconic music videos of all time).
The Used – In Love and Death
In Love and Death by The Used was released on September 28, 2004… also via Reprise Records. It is the last album featuring OG drummer, Branden Steineckert. In Love and Death is home to renowned emo tracks like “I Caught Fire” and “All That I’ve Got” (which also appeared on the Saints Row 2 soundtrack).
Green Day – American Idiot
Green Day’s American Idiot, a politically-charged concept album so iconic that it got its own musical rendition, came out on September 21, 2004. It was released by–you guessed it!–Reprise Records. American Idiot is Green Day’s seventh studio album and brought us some emo classics with huge main character energy, like “Boulevard of Broken Dreams,” and “Wake Me Up When September Ends.”
Looking for more great tunes to listen to? Check out our “MendoWerks Faves” playlist on Spotify!
Cover image (c) Alexas_Fotos via Pixabay.
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