Here are 11 underrated emo albums from the early 2000s that you absolutely need on vinyl.
And this isn’t a bunch of albums by emo bands you’ve never heard of, either. There are a ton of albums from established emo bands that deserve more credit.
A debut album from a band such as My Chemical Romance often get forgotten when it is followed by two stellar releases that every emo fan seems to hold close to their hearts.
READ MORE: 11 Essential Early 2000s Emo Albums Everyone Needs on Vinyl
The era saw several emo bands gobbled up by big record labels, only to be dropped after a short time on their roster. Bands such as Saves The Day suffered this fate, but ended up putting out some great albums that may have been missed without the push from a major label.
Here is a look at some underrated emo albums that might have slipped past you in the early 2000s.
Armor For Sleep, What to Do When You Are Dead (2005)
Key tracks: “Car Underwater,” “The Truth About Heaven,” “Remember to Feel Real”
From Autumn To Ashes, Abandon Your Friends (2005)
Vagrant Records
Key tracks: “Sugar Wolf,” “Where Do You Draw The Line,” “Placentapede”
The Get Up Kids, Guilt Show (2004)
Vagrant Records
Key tracks: “How Long is Too Long,” “Man of Conviction,” “The One You Want”
Jets to Brazil, Perfecting Loneliness (2002)
Jade Tree Records
Key tracks: “You’re the One I Want,” “Cat Heaven,” “Perfecting Loneliness”
Jimmy Eat World, Chase the Light (2007)
Key tracks: “Let it Happen,” “Big Casino,” “Always Be”
Matchbook Romance, Stories and Alibis (2003)
Epitaph Records
Key tracks: “Promise,” “My Eyes Burn,” “The Greatest Fall of All Time”
My Chemical Romance, I Brought You My Bullets, You Brought Me Your Love (2002)
Eyeball Records
Key tracks: “Honey This Mirror Isn’t Big Enough for the Two of Us,” “Vampires Will Never Hurt You,” “Demolition Lovers”
The Promise Ring, Wood/Water (2002)
Key tracks: “Stop Playing Guitar,” “Size of Your Life,” “Become One Anything One Time”
Rainer Maria, A Better Version of Me (2001)
Polyvinyl Records
Key tracks: “Artificial Light,” “Thought I Was,” “Hell and High Water”
Saves The Day, Sound the Alarm (2006)
Vagrant Records
Key tracks: “Head for the Hills,” “The End,” “Diseased”
Taking Back Sunday, Where You Want to Be (2004)
Vagrant Records
Key tracks: “A Decade Under the Influence,” “This Photograph Is Proof (I Know You Know).” “Set Phasers To Stun”
Many of these acts gained widespread attention after they were featured on the Vans Warped Tour. Some of them, including Jimmy Eat World, are even set to return to the traveling festival in 2026.
Here is a look back at what the Warped Tour has looked like over the past few years, along with classic images of some of your favorite emo and punk bands.
30 Photos From 30 Years of the Vans Warped Tour
Looking back at photos of the Vans Warped Tour in celebration of its 30th anniversary!
The tour plans to celebrate its 30th anniversary with shows in Washington, D.C.; Long Beach, California and Orlando in 2025.
Gallery Credit: Rob Carroll