Everybody Hurts

<p>What is emo? For starters it's a form of melodic confessional or EMOtional punk rock. But emo is more than a genre of music-it's the defining counterculture movement of the '00s. EVERYBODY HURTS is a reference book for emo tracing its angsty roots all the way from Shakespeare to Holden Caufield to today's most popular bands. </p><p> There's nothing new about that perfect chocolate and peanut butter combination--teenagers and angst. What is new is that emo is the first cultural movement born on the internet. With the development of early social networking sites like Make Out Club (whose mission is to unite like-minded nerds loners indie rockers record collectors video gamers hardcore kids and artists through friendship music and sometimes even love) outcast teens had a place to find each other and share their pain their opinions and above all their music-which wasn't available for sale at the local record store.</p><p> Authors Leslie Simon and Trevor Kelley lead the reader through the world of emo including its ideology music and fashion as well as its influences on film television and literature. With a healthy dose of snark and sarcasm EVERYBODY HURTS uses diagrams illustrations timelines and step-by-step instructions to help the reader successfully achieve the ultimate emo lifestyle. Or alternately teach him to spot an emo kid across the mall in order to mock him mercilessly.</p>