[Music] What is Emo?

[karohemd]

When puddingcat asked on Saturday, all davywavy and I could come up with was "The music raggedhalo listens to". While true, this obviously doesn't describe what kind of music it actually is.

I'd say, a variety of bouncy, punk-related guitar music.

Update: Wikipedia has this to say.

Does anyone have a better definition?

Comments

[davywavy.livejournal.com]

I did a dictionary.com seach for 'Emo', and the definition it came back with was this

[vulgarcriminal.livejournal.com]

Erm, I'd say wanna be punk is pretty acurate. Or perhaps 'wanna be The Smiths' but never quite making it... ;D

Emo

[raggedyman.livejournal.com]

Full name: Emo-core
A style of punk that grew in the mid 80's out of the US hardcore scene, having a lyrical emphasis on more personal, expressive, and emotional rather than the politics/aggression. Also had a high degree of traditional musicallity to it bringing in elements of prog rock.
Initially dismissed by the assorted scenes acceptence was found from the genres adherence to the traditional 'DIY' and 'No selling out' ethics of punk. Arguably it most highly influential band was Fugazi, a group founded by ex members of Minor Threat which brought in elements of the Straight Edge scene. Some contempory bands in this genre would be AFI, Alkaline Trio, and Shai-Hulud. Due to the genre picking up interest after the end of the 'nu metal' craze in the radio play / 'pop' markets contempory bands are often accused of being 'pop-punk', especially by the fans of more extreme Punk. Beyond its own genre its influence can be found in the current post nu-metal 'emo-metal' of such bands as 'Funeral For A Friend' and 'Drive Like You Stole It' and in the main stream rock works of Nickleback and Puddle Of Mud.

[raggedhalo.livejournal.com]

Emo's short for "emotional punk" -- it was initially a step away from the mindless brutality of the NYC hardcore scene of the mid 80s. Over time, it's evolved and adapted; in some incarnations it's like grunge, in others like indie rock. "Emotional hardcore" (the emocore Andy mentions above) is a lot like modern hardcore, but with more personal lyrics and more melodic vocals, often encompassing several vocalists.

Aw, hell, just look at http://www.fourfa.com. They explain it more comprehensively, though they neglect the more modern angle, which is basically a sub-genre of punk spanning from pop-punk through to hardcore.