So much has changed over the last twenty-four years. The turn of the century ushered in a new world of technology and access never seen before. The world was changing, but so was the music world, with the end of the 90s sprouting a resurgence of boy bands and young pop stars like Christina Aguilera and Brittany Spears.
Other genres were finding their growth as well. Bands like Green Day and Blink would initiate a push of pop punk to the front of the stage. More bands would follow and see an opening in their music.
Another result is that this would start a golden age era with bands made of kids in their garages, basements, or wherever they finally had a place to go. Pop Punk would take the stage.
Best pop-punk and emo albums of the early 2000s
From the year 2000 til now, a large number of fantastic albums have been launched and continue to. Some you grew to love, some you loved and forgot about, and some may have missed your radar. Twenty-four years is a lot to cover here, so, here are the best pop punk and or emo-type albums from 2000 to 2004
2000
I have to start this one with my favorite of the year, the top of the five years, or all time, the Self-Titled Album by New Found Glory. This one is golden front to back. I remember hearing "Hit or Miss" for the first time, and I don't think I'll ever forget that. I bought this CD multiple times between wearing it out and the different editions they released. It's the top album of the year, for sure.
Perhaps I Suppose by Rufio is the most underrated album of the year. Their sound is like nothing else, and the way they burst into our limewire downloads was so fresh. This album from Rufio is not only the best they ever did, although the other albums were great too, but one of those pivotal albums for a generation of bands coming up. Many influences are drawn from the Rufio style by bands even today.
Green Day deserves a lot of credit for most of the bands throughout this list. They were a big inspiration, and their first few albums changed the game. I no longer pay much attention to this band; their style grew out of me. Warning isn't the best release from this band, but it was pretty underrated compared to the previous releases. It started a slight change, and I still really enjoy this record. It's one of my favorite albums and one of the best albums to release in 2000.
The music Chris Carrabba is responsible for is a mountain of hits and incredible bands, and his own greatest hits are on top of that. Dashboard Confessional was a massive movement in the way of acoustic songs, lyricism, and songwriting; just one guy and a guitar would pave the way for some of the future solo, emo-type bands and artists that would come along. Swiss Army Romance is one of those great pieces of art that not only holds up to this day, but the album changed many lives and helped many people open up and get through their breakups.
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.
2002
My grandma asked what I wanted for my birthday in 2002, and there was only one answer for 14-year-old Keith. That was New Found Glory's new album, Sticks and Stones. This is that album that has more nostalgia than any other. I was so excited about this; I only had a few complete CDs, most of which consisted of borrowing from my older brother or some mixes with some of my favorite songs, but having this CD was my most prized possession.
This set New Found Glory on a rocket, MTV, radio, and other places NFG could now be found. The iconic opening riff to "My Friends Over You" or the "Head on Collision guitar line hits like nothing else for me. In a year full of great ones, this is the best album to release in 2002.
These are the year's Drive Thru Records owned what seemed like the world for me, but they definitely owned my CD case and my stereo. One of the rostered bands, The Starting Line, released their debut album, Say It Like You Mean It. I love the long punk beat intros of just rocking out, like "The Saddest Girl Story," and The Starting Line does it just as good, if not better than anyone else.
This release matched up perfectly with my life. It felt like all the songs of breakup and just being a mess; that was me then, and musically, I loved the album, but lyrically, I felt it and experienced it. This album would have taken the top spot in 2002 if it weren't for NFG.
Although not a full-length album, the EP From The Depth of Dreams by Senses Fail makes the cut. One day, I heard the song "Free Fall Without A Parachute" while riding around with a friend who had a sampler or mix CD. That song kicked in, and I was just awed. I had to figure out who it was and get this CD.
I found this release later, and I would have this six-song EP on repeat. I couldn't get enough, and from that moment, it became one of my top bands, and that still hasn't changed 22 years later. They would go on to release eight full-length albums after this release, but 2002 gets this one.
Allister had some of the catchiest guitar leads, and the two different vocalists had amazing harmonies that created front-to-back catchy sing-along hooks in their album Last Stop Suburbia. This CD came with one of those enhanced CDs that would play video if you put it on the computer. It also had pictures from their concerts, a lot of bonus material that I watched repeatedly, and printed posters to cover my wall. This album was amazing.
Songs notable off this one are "Somewhere On Fullerton," "Westbound," and "Flypaper." If you missed this one back in the day, it's not too late. Give this one a check.
2003
Yellowcard has to take the top spot this year with their iconic album Ocean Avenue. "Way Away" is the first track of this album, and after the lead intro, the whole band comes in, including the violin, and sets the tone right off for the album. "Ocean Avenue" and "Only One" are a few popular tracks from the album. This one didn't sneak by too many in its day, but if you missed this release, drop what you're doing and listen to it.
Some bands start in one area and end up in a different one; some never venture too far off the land. Fall Out Boy is the first type of band. In 2003, they released a masterpiece album, Take This To Your Grave. This album was perfect, and although I'm so happy for their success and they couldn't care less about my thoughts here, I wish they'd make something similar to this again. "Chicago Is So Two Years Ago" is my top track, but the album is filled with clever lyrics, Patrick Stump's beautiful vocals, and excellent pop-punk style music.
These guys were local legends for those of us into music spending our teen years just an hour or so outside of St. Louis. Story Of The Year couldn't stop writing ridiculously great songs for their album Page Avenue. "Until the Day I Die," "Anthem of Our Dying Day," and "Sidewalks" are just a few great tracks from this record. It's hard to believe this came out 21 years ago, but it's one of those records that still feels so fresh when listening. It's a top album in a top year for albums.
The Movielife again made the list, this time with their album Forty Hour Train Back To Penn. I love this band, Long Island Hard Core. These years were neat for me, with getting the pop punk, bright type of sound, but having a band like The Movielife that I fell in love with. They brought a rougher edge for me. From the guitars to Vinnie's harsher vocals than I was used to, this album and band opened up a bit for me and my musical spectrum. Some great songs off this album are "Jamestown," "Kelly's Song," and "Hey."
2004
Catalyst by New Found Glory came out in 2004, so it's tough to be another album on this list because that top spot is hard to take over this one. Every NFG album ranks at the top, but this one is close to the band's all-time top. "All Downhill From Here", "I Don't Wanna Know", "Truth of My Youth", and "At Least I'm Known for Something" are just a few of this album's hard-hitting sing-along, catchy, incredible songs. This was the summer soundtrack of 04 for me. Windows down, this CD cranked up so loud. I love this band, and this album was the best of 04.
I loved the first album, Tell All Your Friends by Taking Back Sunday, but this is the best record they ever made, Where You Want to Be. I was upset when I heard John Nolan was out, and a new guy was there. I was wrong because I didn't go into this album expecting to like it much. The way Fred and Adam dual on this record is impressive. Some of their best songs come from this one: "A Decade Under The Influence," "This Photograph Is Proof (I Know You Know), and "…Slowdance On The Inside," are just a few.
The Get Up Kids had already released three albums and had been a band for almost a decade before dropping The Guilt Show. This one brought more pop and production to the songs that had not been there for these guys. I had already known the band, and Something To Write Home About was a constant in the rotation before this one, but this one just felt catchier. "The One You Want" was the first song I heard off this one, and I loved it. Other great ones are "Sympathy," "How Long Is Too Long," and the album opener "Man of Conviction. If this one slipped by, give it a go.
Let It Enfold You is one of my favorite poems by Charles Bukowski and one of my favorite albums of the early 2000s. Senses Fail followed up their first EP with their debut album, Let It Enfold You. This built on my deep love for this band, and when I craved more, they delivered. Songs like "Tie Her Down," Buried a Lie," Choke On This," "Bite to Break Skin," and "Let it Enfold You" are the title track.
It is another part of the soundtrack for this year for me. Not only did I find this record to be one of my favorites, but it also came with a DVD that I watched live performances and saw the band's personalities, which left me enjoying this band even more.