Hawthorne Heights - If Only You Were Lonely

[basketcase_006]

Hawthorne Heights - you either love 'em of hate 'em, and with this release they have a chance to reclaim any fans that put them in the 'generic screamo' pile on their last one.

I'll be honest, when 'The Silence In Black and White' was released, I fell in love with the mix of harmonies, piercing screams and technical instrumental work, but I could never shake the feeling that it had all been done before. All it takes is looking at any Hawthorne Heights forum to see how mixed the opinion of the band is. Like I said, people love them and people hate them. In my opinion, their sophomore album will change all that.

From the first track, 'This Is Who We Are', HH manage to show growth without altering their formula too much. The screams (which are one of the things HH haters love to pick on) are still there, but seem to have been dulled down a lot for this album. The focus seems to be on songwriting instead of trying to fit a certain mold. 'This Is Who We Are' is catchy as hell. It'll be emblazed in your mind after one or two listens. I found myself wanting to listen to it more and more.

After the first track, I was optimistic for the rest of the album. 'If Only You Were Lonely' is a grower. After one or two listens it becomes something you'll want to revisit over and over. It's all I've been listening to since I got the advance. Another notable song is track 5, 'Saying Sorry' - much like track 1 its really memorable, full of catchy hooks and a driving beat.

Vocal wise, JT has certainly matured in style, exploring his range more than he did on the last album, whilst retaining that trademark HH sound. Lyrically, HH may let themselves down. They were victims of bad press last year because of the topics of their songs ("Cut my wrists and black my eyes") - song titles on this release include 'We Are So Last Year' and 'Where Can I Stab Myself In The Ears'. The album may have benefited from some less generic emo-core style names, but I ask you not to be put ogg by the titles. The production on the album is much better than their last outing. There are plenty of effects on the music, clear sound and original ideas.

Every song on this album is enjoyable. Simple as that. I didn't skip any of the tracks, I just got hooked by every one. And I'm sure you will too. The choice of putting the ballad of the album, 'December', at the end of the album was a good one. The song actually reminds me of a post-summer Beach Boys tune, with a little of The Beatles thrown in for good measure, its weird but cool, and very unlike HH.

I'm pretty sure I'm gonna get flamed to hell for this review, but I urge people to forget their preconceptions of this band and give this CD a listen - I think it'll be worth your time. If you don't believe me, give 'This Is Who We Are' or 'Saying Sorry' a listen.

Overall, the album is a solid sophomore effort. The band has matured musically, and reduced the amount of screaming - one of the last album's faults. They have taken their music in a new direction, and appear to have taken listener's views into account in crafting a CD which should appeal to a larger audience. So, grab a copy on February 28th 2006, and gain new insight into this talented group of guys. Give them something that all emo bands sing about - a second chance - you won't regret it.

PS. I challenge anyone who says 'Dead in the Water' doesn't sound like the old-school Spiderman theme tune. Enjoy.

Standout Tracks: 'This Is Who We Are', 'Saying Sorry', 'Language Lessons (5 Words or Less)'

Rob Taylor

[chcougar1]

I agree with most of what you say. Every song is enjoyable, I dont skip any songs. I am not sure what they changed on this album but I like it. I hated the first album except for "the Transition."

I'd say the lyrics are still kind of corny, but I think they work for the album

Standout tracks: This is who we are, Language Lessons, Light Sleeper

[Absolute Mest]

they made another one? wow. it better be not be cliche and disappointing like The Silence in Black and White

[a speedo model]

the music was an improvement from their last one, but the lyrics are still lame and the vocals are just awful.

[theredline]

they made another one? wow. it better be not be cliche and disappointing like The Silence in Black and White

This coming from a person with Mest in their name....

[codyxburnsxred]

I fell in love with these guys when they first came out. They are great at what they are doing, who cares if it sounds like so many other bands, it's so hard to be original anymore, and you can't expect bands to be original. Being original is unoriginal these days. But this cd definitely will change a lot of opinions of people. From what I;ve head from this cd , its great, I can't wait to hear more.


Where have you guys gotten it so far?

[VexRed0903]

it better be not be cliche and disappointing like The Silence in Black and White

Did you actually read the review?

[shetpisfock]

fuck this noise.

[Sureshot182]

I fell in love with these guys when they first came out. They are great at what they are doing, who cares if it sounds like so many other bands, it's so hard to be original anymore, and you can't expect bands to be original. Being original is unoriginal these days. But this cd definitely will change a lot of opinions of people. From what I;ve head from this cd , its great, I can't wait to hear more.


Where have you guys gotten it so far?
your bold font it the stupidest thing i have ever read. i'm not trying to be negative, and you are right if your main goal as a band or artist is to be "unique" then you have a problem. but making groundbreaking music is not a bad thing...sufjan stevens is better than hawthorne heights for example.

[NFG4ever]

I agree , everyband tries to be " different" these days. I like what Hawthorne did for this record, they didn't go chance completly so they could please everyone , they did what they wanted to do a

[level4loser]

technical guitar work?

technical? they dont even play their instruments on the recording, most of it was done by studio musicians (the first album) so fuck that band. horrid live too.

technical? have you ever listened to dream theater?

[FrancesdaMute]

technical guitar work?

technical? they dont even play their instruments on the recording, most of it was done by studio musicians (the first album) so fuck that band. horrid live too.

technical? have you ever listened to dream theater?

dream theater would be pissed you even mentioned their name with reference to muscianship, in a review for hh.

[BrokenWindow]

I think this cd will cease all the shit-talking this band gets. It is a very good record with several great songs (Language Lessons, Saying Sorry)

[MonkeyBars]

technical guitar work?

technical? they dont even play their instruments on the recording, most of it was done by studio musicians (the first album) so fuck that band. horrid live too.

technical? have you ever listened to dream theater?

Because Band A's guitar work is "more technical" than Band B's means that Band B's guitar work isn't technical? By that measure, there is only one band in existence that has technical guitar work.

Think about it.

[donkeylips]

whatever. the music on this album is not original, it's not creative, and it's not technical. it's full of songs engineered to sell a billion copies. and it probably will. for music that completely lacks creativity, it will do exactly what it's supposed to. you think their last album had been done before? this album has been done before a hundred times over, just not with the name "hawthorne heights" on it.

that being said, the production IS much better, and the songs are more complete. i'm simply saying that nothing on this album is new, creative, or original. i don't think this will change anyone's opinion of the band...noone that hated TSIBAW is suddenly going to love this album. i don't like either albums, but i respect that HH is just in this to make some dough, not make interesting music. anyone that thinks this album is original or creative needs to listen to some more music. oh yeah, the closing ballad "december" is one of the cheesiest, worst songs i've ever heard.

[EvilButters]

Hm, I think you have convinced me to give these guys an actual listen. I heard bits and pieces of their single from their last album at Target(I work there) and it just sounded like every other band out there. Also, with all th negative reviews the band was getting on this site, I figured I shouldn't give them a shot. What I had heard of that single also had some of the worst lyrics I'd ever heard. I've heard a lot of good things about this album and your review is just the icing on the cake. So I hope it lives up to the hype and I hope that I just stumbled across another band that I like.

[Bruycker]

I don't like hawthorne heights but i'll give it a shot , and why should music be hard? if it sounds good it's ok for me

[sundaysetsashes]

when does this come out. i thought it wasnt for a while and if a user reviewed it wouldnt tate come under fire for promoting the review?

[brutusUbastard]

listened to it, and it's still no good. It's refined hh screamo, which means JT whines slightly less and the other guy screams lightly less. I guess for HH though that is a vast improvement.

It's still bad.

[apex]

I respect your opinion but I can't take it seriously considering you fell in love with part of their first cd.

[airik625]

hawthorne heights better music? i believe anything is better than that first shitty album if you can call it an albu. but i might give the new one a chance...might

[pandasrus]

The chorus from this album's second track, We Are So Last Year, is:

i just wanted you to know
i think about you every night
when i fall asleep
you are in my dreams
and just like in a movie
the one you want to see
with a happy ending

I hate to break it to you guys, but this sounds exactly like a Britney Spears song.

[EvilButters]

I hate to break it to you guys, but this sounds exactly like a Britney Spears song.

Um...I don't know enough about Britney Spears or her music to say something like this. And wasn't it already mentioned that the lyrics were lame to begin with? I still need to check out this album, so I can decide whether this is worth defending or not...

[BELIEVEINDERRIK]

i like hh, what music is original these days? That actually sells alot of records...... none.. its called genre and just because hh is under a certain genre, doesnt mean they are copying anything, becuase if they are, then every other screamo band is copying each other

[apex]

i like hh, what music is original these days? That actually sells alot of records...... none.. its called genre and just because hh is under a certain genre, doesnt mean they are copying anything, becuase if they are, then every other screamo band is copying each other

completely wrong

[MonkeyBars]

completely wrong

How can you say completely wrong and not support that claim? Talk about hopping on the bandwagon.

[pfleck]

technical guitar work?

technical? they dont even play their instruments on the recording, most of it was done by studio musicians (the first album) so fuck that band. horrid live too.

technical? have you ever listened to dream theater?


studio musicians? man thats some bullshit. I know the people they recorded the first album with. Its actually a few people ive recorded with before. I can tell you for a fact they played there instruments. now im not saying there technical or anything....just that they can play there own shit.

[Bury Your Head]

studio musicians? man thats some bullshit. I know the people they recorded the first album with. Its actually a few people ive recorded with before. I can tell you for a fact they played there instruments. now im not saying there technical or anything....just that they can play there own shit.

thank god or i was really gonna fucking hate them.

regardless they still suck dick
my sister whos in 7th grade could write the same shit
prolly better
there are 3 guitarists and they all play the riffs that remind me of some mr. delonge could play by himself if he was shitface
the singer looks creepy followed by a even creepier voice
and the drummer does double pedals in like one song
and when i was at warped i heard 14 year olds wearing atreyu shirts
saying how "fucking rad" the drummer is

god.
someone
kill
me
quickly.















speaking of which how bout that new thrice?

[zackwhitee]

everybody do me a favor, i bought this band scenes from a movies cd on tour, i happened to liek them a whole lot and i recently heard one of the songs off the new hawthorne heights cd, the beginning of the song completely rips off scenes from a movies 'you make this an art' intro. do not support this band, they steal smaller bands music

[drivingthru]

Same crappy screaming.

[DSCN1854]

I heard "This Is Who We Are". Are they trying to rip off Trapt this time around?

[dewdropmagic]

Everybody is entitled to their own opinion...

And my opinion on Hawthorne Heights is...

...they are absolutely hideous

So sue me :\

[kata_rokkar]

forgetful crap.

this band doesn't deserve respect at all. this isn't original. i don't know where anyone gets at saying that. seriously. this is music for the hot topic/myspace geeks. go write an angry blog you whinners.

[Brraaad]

This coming from a person with Mest in their name....

haha here here

[osunfg]

i thought section 8, code 4 of the AP.net bylaws prohibited positive reviews of either hawthorne heights or senses fail. better check yourself before you wreck yourself. i dont care what people say, this albums catchy as hell and wont get out of my head. and i dont hate it!!!!!!

[ATFEH587]

i suppose you could create music better than HH then considering your post. this album is better than their previous, and hawthorne heights strives for uniqueness just like other bands are at the moment. maybe if you listen to this album more closely and actually pay attention this time, you'll find that the lyrics are better than your assumptions. by the way, saves the day music is just as creative as HH.

[Stereo Therapy]

ok ill admit i havent heard this cd. but i will say this. im almost positive that half of you praising the album hated the first one. well you rode that trend out to the end. you found a new one, one i like to call "the anti-anti-hawthorne heights movements." now you people are like "all you people just hate them b/c its cool to hate them," well fuck you. i hate hawthorne heights' music, i hate being able to predict every note, and i hate fucking shitty lyrics. all you people who say that are just giving credibility to a band who doesnt deserve it.

P.S. their first album was catchy too everyone. overdone chord progressions dont make a good album.

[Stereo Mike]

:p

[ArTkY_]

This album is actually a litle decent, alright? It's not something I'd listen to all the time, but if I'm in the mood for it I might listen to it. It is miles better than their old album. I used to be an adamant hater of HH, but not because everyone else hated them, I actually gave them a few chances.

The rating is WAY too high.

6.5-7/10

[matddors]

Light Sleeper is one of the best songs I've heard all year.

[TheUntitled]

whatever. the music on this album is not original, it's not creative, and it's not technical. it's full of songs engineered to sell a billion copies. and it probably will. for music that completely lacks creativity, it will do exactly what it's supposed to. you think their last album had been done before? this album has been done before a hundred times over, just not with the name "hawthorne heights" on it.

that being said, the production IS much better, and the songs are more complete. i'm simply saying that nothing on this album is new, creative, or original. i don't think this will change anyone's opinion of the band...noone that hated TSIBAW is suddenly going to love this album. i don't like either albums, but i respect that HH is just in this to make some dough, not make interesting music. anyone that thinks this album is original or creative needs to listen to some more music. oh yeah, the closing ballad "december" is one of the cheesiest, worst songs i've ever heard.

Amen Reverend

[oldwirehands]

I fell in love with these guys when they first came out. They are great at what they are doing, who cares if it sounds like so many other bands, it's so hard to be original anymore, and you can't expect bands to be original. Being original is unoriginal these days. But this cd definitely will change a lot of opinions of people. From what I;ve head from this cd , its great, I can't wait to hear more.


Where have you guys gotten it so far?

You're so far off its disgusting. Music has been around for ages. Have you ever heard of the Gregorian Chant? To say its hard to be original is bullshit. Fucking bullshit. Read about the Classical and Romantic era of music. We're in desperate need of another Romantic era. Too many people following 'rules' and trends.

[jaks15]

TSIBAW wasn't the best album I ever heard, however, alot of HH's stuck with me. With, If Only You Were Lonely, I think many HH fans will be very pleased, and those who are not fans could have their opinions changed. I think it's a great album, most definitely worth a try.





Minimal screaming.. I'm a fan of that.

[ADDisfunforme]

i wont waste my time seeing if this CD is any good, just for the sole fact their first one was so bad

[livethesounds]

i think people like to bash HH just to fit in with everybody else. Everybody i know used to be all over this band and out of nowhere they all hate them...why? apparently cause everybody else is doing it. your all fucking sheep. Im buying the album the stuff ive heard so far is pretty damn good.

[Talib Scottie]

The music bored me the one time I listened to it. They do nothing impressive at all, the screams still sound horrible, even though luckily there is less of it and the lyrics are still terrible.

[preppyak]

they made another one? wow. it better be not be cliche and disappointing like The Silence in Black and White

it is cliche and disappointing, I promise you that. The music is slightly better, but I think the lyrics as a whole got worse. And they still attempt to scream. The productions is better at least.

I think this cd will cease all the shit-talking this band gets. It is a very good record with several great songs (Language Lessons, Saying Sorry)
no, no it won't. The song Decembers alone makes it a horrible album. There is 1 song I can listen to the whole way through, and its the first song. Their lyrics are horrendous, i dobut they even try anymore. Relying on rehashed cliches is not the way to cease all the hating of their albums. Everything they improved, they somehow managed to bring down by making something else suck more. For example, in comparison to TSIBAW:

Less Screaming = good Cover Art = Bad
Better Production = good Even Worse lyrics = Bad

[preppyak]

i like hh, what music is original these days? That actually sells alot of records...... none.. its called genre and just because hh is under a certain genre, doesnt mean they are copying anything, becuase if they are, then every other screamo band is copying each other

Except they are trying to revive a genre that actually died before they released The Silence In Black And White, and they certaintly aren't helping it by using every cliche it encompassed as the backbone of their music. Their "screaming" doesn't add intensity, it just takes away from their music. His muddled clusterfuck of attempts are laughable at best

And the lyric "Three broken hearts from a broken home" I mean, come on, how can you attempt to defend that.

Light Sleeper is one of the best songs I've heard all year.
I could have enjoyed that song if they didn't scream "I fall". I mean, it just hurts the ears. I like the way the song is instrumented and I actually don't mind the lyrics, but the screams destroy it.

[EvilButters]

I tried listening to this album and didn't care for it at all. I didn't really pay attention to the lyrics and I was doing other things at the time but no songs really stuck out to me. It all just kind of blended together. It just seemed like another mediocre release from another mediocre band.

[lucky_krystle]

i dont know why i even opened this thread...

[lassise]

i like hawthorne heights, but this CD is just an extension of the silence in black in white. nothing is different... at all. once i am more familiar with each song i will not be able to tell the difference between the old cd and this one. if you liked hawthorne heights before this will give you more songs to listen to. if you didnt like them before, this won't change your opinion.

level4loser - where do you get that their first CD was studio musicians? Do you seriously think that a band that was putting out their debut with hardly any money backing them was paying studio musicians to play their music that isnt even hard to play? i think you're full of shit personally, and youre just trying to bash the band because you don't like them.

[David Bendeth]

I always found it virtually impossible to like a band I always disliked. My pride factor alone was not not able to discern the truth becaus of my closed minded attitude. If I could highly reccomend to all hh NON beleivers my suggestion is to hit the cut button hard and go back to what you feel comfortable with. It will so much easier speaking about the band that make you feel comfortable. Listening with jaded ears always is a losing propostion. Rather than waste your energy burning the band into the ground why dont people just preach about what they do like, whick on this sight for me is usually some of the worst crap I have ever heard in my life. void of melody, taste and production....I just hit the killswitch on that garbage everytime, works for me.and saves mindless comments. Face it most of your bands cant play or write or sing...truth. and the hype machine turns.

[Emopunkthrice]

http://s32.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=3C13WAU418X652QIPY7OKCWKL X

[Snapcase]

Honestly I think this new cd kinda blows compared to their first. This album sounds like everything else that's been done before, and it's almost boring....any people already fans of Hawthorne Heights might agree?? The last album had so much energy, there is practically no screaming. Bands get ruined goin' through the mainstream. BUT...all you losers on an "absolute punk" site that like emo, this may be the cd for you. Cause thats what HH sounds like now. whoever said that HH had studio musicians play all their songs is an idiot by the way.

[Emopunkthrice]

Honestly I think this new cd kinda blows compared to their first. This album sounds like everything else that's been done before, and it's almost boring....any people already fans of Hawthorne Heights might agree?? The last album had so much energy, there is practically no screaming. Bands get ruined goin' through the mainstream. BUT...all you losers on an "absolute punk" site that like emo, this may be the cd for you. Cause thats what HH sounds like now. whoever said that HH had studio musicians play all their songs is an idiot by the way.
you do know emo stands for emotive hardcore...

[TimeAsIdeology]

THERE WAS NO TECHNICAL INSTRUMENTAL WORK YOU MORON, THIS IS HAWTHORNE HEIGHTS.

You want technical instrumental work, listen to Ed Gein, Dillinger Escape Plan, or Ion Dissonance. This band didn't inject anything even remotely technical. Get real. Terrific, they left out the screaming, so now the awful, awful, awful singer will have more time to do his thing. That's just what they needed, that tone deaf bastard wailing away.

You people must not have ears, this is fucking ridiculous.

[codyxburnsxred]

I say its hard to be original, because, well, it is. Write a riff on guitar, adn tell me that no band has played it, that no other person has already written it. How can you be original with such limitations? And bands, they say I like this genre, lets play it. NOT ORIGINAL. Play what you like, what you feel, what comes out of the guitar, the drumms, the bass, your voice.

[BlackSheepBoy]

The reviewers on this site are very forgiving. Come on now, Hawthorne Heights throwing up 8's and 9's across the board? Give me a break.

[updownleftright]

you do know emo stands for emotive hardcore...i was always told it was just 'emotional' music. yours sounds much better though.

[omegaX]

everybody do me a favor, i bought this band scenes from a movies cd on tour, i happened to liek them a whole lot and i recently heard one of the songs off the new hawthorne heights cd, the beginning of the song completely rips off scenes from a movies 'you make this an art' intro. do not support this band, they steal smaller bands music

Its a much better album than the last one (that's not saying much), and its worth a few car rides to listen to. Its catchy.

But this kid is absolutely right. HH's "Dead in the Water" has riffs that are stolen from Scenes from a movie's "you make this an art".

Funny coincidence? I'll leave that up to you. http://www.myspace.com/scenesfromamovie

[Emopunkthrice]

i was always told it was just 'emotional' music. yours sounds much better though.
yeah It died it the 90's so I'm sad, but I do try to bring it back

[Emopunkthrice]

THERE WAS NO TECHNICAL INSTRUMENTAL WORK YOU MORON, THIS IS HAWTHORNE HEIGHTS.

You want technical instrumental work, listen to Ed Gein, Dillinger Escape Plan, or Ion Dissonance. This band didn't inject anything even remotely technical. Get real. Terrific, they left out the screaming, so now the awful, awful, awful singer will have more time to do his thing. That's just what they needed, that tone deaf bastard wailing away.

You people must not have ears, this is fucking ridiculous.
Ed Gein, I think I love you, ed gein pwns

[preppyak]

The reviewers on this site are very forgiving. Come on now, Hawthorne Heights throwing up 8's and 9's across the board? Give me a break.
Please recognize that this guy is not a staff member on AP, just someone with really bad hearing. I mean, do you think their is an chance absolutepunk even reviews this, especially when one of the songs is named because of the bashing the group took here (Where do I stab Myself In The Ears)

[pdlawry]

it's actually emotional hardcore. and its a stupid term

[TimeAsIdeology]

it's actually emotional hardcore. and its a stupid term

Says the kid with a Simple Plan avatar.

[Emopunkthrice]

Says the kid with a Simple Plan avatar.
you pwned him, if scene points were still here, you'd be my god

[Emopunkthrice]

it's actually emotional hardcore. and its a stupid term
you're to young to understand music.

[1000shadesofred]

This coming from a person with Mest in their name....

hahaha ... PS this album is just a repeat of silence in black and white... dull, never changing, lyrically childish music... sorry, i tried to like this album, i really did...but i cant

[PopPunkKid]

This coming from a person with Mest in their name....

Old Mest > any emo/screamo band ever imo.

[joeshmoe909]

Please recognize that this guy is not a staff member on AP, just someone with really bad hearing. I mean, do you think their is an chance absolutepunk even reviews this, especially when one of the songs is named because of the bashing the group took here (Where do I stab Myself In The Ears)

Thank you! When I saw "song titles on this release include 'We Are So Last Year' and 'Where Can I Stab Myself In The Ears'. The album may have benefited from some less generic emo-core style names" I was just like ummm that was just a name from here that they found so hillarious they put on the album.

[Tony Pascarella]

I'm going to be reviewing this album shortly.

[Emopunkthrice]

it's actually emotional hardcore. and its a stupid term


What is it?: EMO

EMO is short form for EMOtive hardcore.

It often contains screaming and clean vocals in the mixture.

bands that ARE emo: Ampere, Circle Takes The Square, Saetia, Hot Cross, Kite Flying Society, etc.

Whats isn`t it? Pop-punk bands and Hardcore are NOT emo! "Emo" hasn`t to do with how the emotional the music is, because all music has emotion put into it...and no matter how whiny the lyrics are that doesn`t make the band an emo band.

bands that ARE NOT emo: The Used, My Chemical Romance, Atreyu, Alexisonfire, Dashboard Confessional, etc.


pee ess - screamo IS NOT a genre, that is emotive hardcore which is what EMO actually is.

"Emo" is not short for "Emotional." "Emo" does not mean Taking Back Sunday and Dashboard Confessional, despite what MTV has lead you to believe in the last few years. "Emo" is not sidebangs, tight pants, and male vocalists who sing like little girls about their failed relationships. "Emo" is not the use of diluted, meaningless metaphors and similes such as "My arms are like pinecones," and most definitely is not the rampant use of words such as "autumn," "heart," "knife," "bleeding," "leaves," and "razorblade."

I just thought I'd clear that up after all of these "definitions" in which I have encountered an unbelievable amount of people who try to pass off their blatantly false pretenses as fact, and are slowly infecting others with their high-horse, holier-than-thou bullshit. Because honestly, with your ridiculous definitions, Beethoven, George Gershwin, and Britney Spears are/was "emo bands."

Now, onto the real definition.

In the early 90s there was a movement in the hardcore genre that came to be known as "Emotive Hardcore," spearheaded by Rites Of Spring. Harder-core-than-thou kids, who swore by Dischord Records a la Minor Threat, actually coined the term "Emo" as something of a put-down for the kids who really liked Rites Of Spring, Indian Summer and this new wave of "Emotive" Hardcore bands. That's right, "Emo" was once not something kids called themselves. The field exploded outwards from there - Level-Plane Records has always been the most famous Emo label. Acts like Yaphet Kotto, I Hate Myself, Saetia, Hot Cross, A Day In Black And White, Funeral Diner, I Would Set Myself On Fire For You, You And I, and hosts of others came in the next decade. Most emo bands have since broken up, but there's still the occasional hold-out (again, the majority of Level-Plane Records' roster has been a procession of emo acts). Like most DIY hardcore/punk of the time, a majority found its way onto vinyl and not much else. Some people consider bands like Fugazi, and later Sunny Day Real Estate, a progression of emo, but personally, I don't quite follow that philosophy.

Often, more recently, this gets intertwined with post-hardcore, and understandably so - that's nothing to make an issue of, since well shit, at least it's close.

Since the late 90s, though, bands have been emerging in the vein of Taking Back Sunday, Dashboard Confessional, and the thousands of their clones. As far as I can tell, some lazy journalist somewhere, writing an article about them, decided "Well, fuck, no one knows what emo is anyways, so I'll call these bands "emo" - sounds more appealing than bubblegum pop rock..." and the spiral continued downwards into the current amalgomation of bands MTV has told everyone is "emo."
Somehow, people decided that "emo" meant "emotional," which is obviously bull****, as 99% of bands make music to illicit emotion, which would make "emotional" a completely all-encompassing genre from classical to opera to pop to rap.