By Lucy Gilbert

20 years ago, emo was at its pop culture peak and YouTube had just launched. Here are the three albums I think defined the year.

A Fever You Can’t Sweat Out – Panic! At The Disco

Released in September 2005, this is the album that spawned the legendary I Write Sins Not Tragedies. It was the debut of Las Vegas band Panic! At The Disco. At the time the band consisted of vocalist Brendon Urie, drummer Spencer Smith, bassist Brent Wilson and guitarist Ryan Ross. The album most notably features Ross’ impressive songwriting and lyrics paired with Urie’s unique vocals.

The album stood out from the crowd, and while it can’t be pinned down as belonging to just one genre, its catchy pop-punk sounds and dramatic lyrics and vocals made it a staple in the emo scene. Released through Decaydance (now DCD2) at the height of emo, it slotted in perfectly with releases like My Chemical Romance’s Three Cheers For Sweet Revenge and Fall Out Boy’s From Under The Cork Tree in a scene full of heavy eyeliner and red and black colour schemes. Critically, the album has been certified platinum four times in the US. 20 years on it’s still a quintessential emo album.

From Under The Cork Tree – Fall Out Boy

Following up their Autumn-coded pop-punk debut, on May 3rd 2005 Fall Out Boy released From Under The Cork Tree. With heavier emo themes than their previous record, this album showed just what the Chicago group was capable of. Interestingly, this record cycle featured a performance on Top Of The Pops. The song featured was Sugar We’re Goin’ Down, the first single from the album. Despite debuting at 93 on the Billboard, the single would eventually reach its peak at number eight. Critically, Sugar We’re Goin Down is often considered a genre-shaping song for emo. The following single, Dance Dance would peak at number nine. Once the album released Rolling Stone rated it a 3/5, but later named it number nine on the top 40 emo albums of all time.

All We Know Is Falling – Paramore

Another amazing debut album, although Paramore aren’t exactly well known for All We Know Is Falling. After all, 2007’s Riot! spawned hit single Misery Business. Paramore’s infectious pop-punk debut was released on July 26th, 2005, to a relatively good critic reaction. Alternative Press rated it a 4/5. It provides a good jumping-off point for the band we know today. It’s a happy, summery pop-punk album that led to the incredible Riot! In the wake of All We Know Is Falling, Paramore would play the Vans Warped Tour 2006, adding them to the long list of emo and pop-punk artists who found their footing on Warped Tour. All We Know Is Falling may not be a stand-out in Paramore’s discography, but it’s a solid album that set the scene for the future of the band.

2005 was the year that emo thrived. My Chemical Romance, All American Rejects and Funeral For A Friend were among the names on Reading Festival’s main stage that year. So, it makes sense that the albums most associated with 2005 are pillars of emo music.

The Top Albums from 2005