Best pop-punk and emo albums of the early 2000s

2001

Saves The Day has put out many great albums, but in 2001, they put out the best one. Stay What You Are is an unskippable front-to-back album. The lyrics, although dark in a lot of them, are some great pieces of work. The album changed slightly from the more pop-punk, fast-paced style of songs and stepped back in some places. This album is the best of the year, with songs like "At Your Funeral" and "Freakish" on it.

This album has probably been blasted in the car while my friends and I yell it at the top of our lungs more than any other. Your Favorite Weapon by Brand New is the perfect album to do so. With "Jude Law and a Semester Abroad," "Seventy Times Seven," and Soco Amaretto Lime," I couldn't help but fall in love with this album.

Their best work, with the catchiest, angriest, most relatable songs. My favorite album by this band and a record that I'll always listen to. Although we don't stay 18 forever, this album will still hold all those feelings and memories of the times like we're still in them.

Fenix TX, is one of those bands that needed more love or attention. They are one of my favorite bands at that time. Lechuzza was the album for this year, and it's their best. The album opens with a track titled "Phoebe Cates," essentially an ode to Phoebe Cates, the actress known for her roles in Fast Times at Ridgemont High and Gremlins. I loved the style and record of this band. Some of my other favorite songs on here are "Threesome," "A Song For Everyone," and "Tearjerker." If this album slipped through your radar for some reason, give it a spin.

Almost everyone knows the band Yellowcard; even if they don't remember the band's name, they know "Ocean Avenue" enough to sing along. That one is sure to make the list in its year, but an overlooked one is One For The Kids. This record was incredible because this band thought, let's play pop punk, but let's do something crazy like add a violin player. It worked.

Yellowcard's sound can't be matched, and over their career, they've made so many incredible albums, but this one is fantastic as well and one of the best releases of 2001. "Sureshot," "Big Apple Heartbreak," and "October Nights" are some of my favorite ones off this album.