In Defense Of Emo? (Featuring Alexandra Smyth)

In a recent column for Square Zeros' ongoing In Defense Of series, Brooklyn-based writer and poet Alexandra Smyth wrote a thoughtful argument on behalf of Dashboard Confessional, wherein she challenged us to look upon one of emo-pop's poster children with a little more sympathy. Alexandra's piece excited such debate on social media that we decided to bring her on the podcast to elaborate on what she appreciates about Dashboard's music and to reflect on the legacy of the genre most of us call emo. If you were a teenager at any point between 1998 and 2005, you don't want to miss this one. (Pictured: Emo Alexandra Smyth, circa 2002. This podcast opens with two non-emo songs: "Striking Distance" by Faux Ferocious, and "Slug Shake Armageddon" by The Mad Doctors.)