No, I didn’t listen to this album the day it came out. I listened to it much later.
It came out in March 2002 and I think I heard about it only in 2003.
From the first song where they repeat that they won’t stand for hazy eyes anymore was refreshing in the shoe-gazing emo scenario. The second song on the album, “Cute without the E” was their most popular one. It had a certain energy about it, like a modern day “Smells like Teen Spirit”. However the crowning glory of the album is a song called “You’re so last summer” which has what many call greatest emo lyrics every written (“If you could slit my throat, with my one last gasping breath I’d apologise for bleeding on your shirt”).
It’s been 10 years since that album came out. I’ve quoted those lyrics on blogs, in articles and IRL as well. Comparisons to Brand New’s Deja Entendu notwithstanding, Tell All Your Friends is a seminal piece. I’m biased because I’m a fan and more so because this was the album which got me into them and subsequently into other acts like Atreyu, Brand New etc. The credit of it also goes to the girl I was dating then. But well, this album still survives. it has the right hooks, crushing drums all with a certain melody - probably one of the last complete albums, not just a bunch of singles put together.
It’s 2012 and my bucket list consists of seeing Brand New, Blink 182 and Taking Back Sunday live. TBS are headlining Vans Warped Tour this year, so this should be my chance.
Oh and by the way, Happy 10th anniversary to Tell All Your Friends. You helped me through different times. Thanks for the music!
