Say The Quiet Part Out Loud: A Book on 2000s Emo Vol. 1

by William Ramsey

From Dashboard Confessional, Thursday, and Jimmy Eat World to My Chemical Romance, Paramore, and Fall Out Boy, Say The Quiet Part Out Loud is an ebook chronicling the rise, fall, and rise again of a genre of music that was both vilified and celebrated. This is part 1 of 3, telling the exciting and crazy story of 2000s emo.

Genres: Nonfiction, Music, Pop Culture

147 pages, Paperback

Published March 20, 2023

About the author

Attorney, Author and Researcher William Ramsey is a graduate of the University of California, Berkeley with a degree in History. Mr. Ramsey also has a J.D. and is a member of the State Bar of California.

Reviews

[Jessica · Rating 1 out of 5]

I stumbled upon this on TikTok and was drawn in by the nostalgia. This is an extremely short lil “book” that feels more like a collection of essays or a series of long Tumblr posts (which it probably was at some point). I was disappointed that the juicy parts were really vague and only had one or two quotes for each thing. I feel like this is a great draft for something that could be really intriguing in time. I look forward to better histories of emo in the future 😊 All of that being said, this was still entertaining enough and I zipped right through it and did learn a few things I didn’t know before. I actually enjoy the authors bit of quips about their own life…maybe an introduction with info about their own life and history with the genre would be interesting.

[Haylee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This made my emo heart so fucking happy and nostalgic. I’m not sure what everyone else was expecting, but it really hit for me. I genuinely teared up at certain parts just simply reliving my adolescence for a short moment through this series of feel-good memories and familiar emotions. It's like revisiting a time when everything felt so raw and real, yet comforting in its own way. Whether or not I “already knew” these things, it was still a very fun read. That was kinda the point, I think. I also really applaud the author for being so vulnerable and recounting their experience being a POC in the emo scene back in the day.
LOVED. <3 [rawr.]

[Steph · Rating 2 out of 5]

Yikes, I feel bad marking this so low but I was so disappointed. I followed the author on TikTok and decided to try out his book as I liked his content. However, there's' literally nothing new in it. It's basically his TikToks in written format.

If you've been in the emo scene for a period of time you're probably aware of everything he talks about. I thought he would go into more detail, but the book barely scratches the surface of the emo subculture and it's more than a little dissappointing.

[Natt · Rating 4 out of 5]

The one and two star reviews are so dramatic. Lol. If you considered yourself “emo” and still listen to your emo playlist everyday in 2024, this is a really fun and nostalgic read. I was/am deep in emo culture and still learned a few things. 🫡🖤

[Janissa Coleman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I felt like I was having an little nerdy Yap sesh the whole time it was great

[Joshua Fitzgerald · Rating 2 out of 5]

Obviously, I love the subject matter. I’ll read any book about this specific musical snapshot in time. The “emo” culture is something I identify with, which generates great personal interest. This is the only reason two stars were awarded to this “book.”

In fact, I’m not sure I would call this a book at all. It’s extremely short and each chapter glosses over a dozen or so emo bands from the late 90s to mid 2000s. I use the word “glosses” very deliberately. As someone who self-describes as “emo” I found myself confused about all the stuff the author left out. There is a TON of info not included in this “history book.” For example, Paramore is a band discussed, which makes a ton of sense. This band has a rich and oftentimes dramatic history. The author speaks briefly about their first album (AWKIF), briefly about their second album (Riot!), and discusses their third album (BNE) a little bit longer. If I didn’t know any better, as a reader I would think both Farros and Jeremy Davis are still in the band and I would have no idea who Taylor York is. I wouldn’t know Paramore and Fall Out Boy actually toured together for the Monumentour. I realize the snapshot is supposed to be caught within a time period, but in my opinion, this lack of additional information is a problem for a book claiming to be a historical record. I realize I’m a big Paramore fan, which could lead to bias, but this is an example of a larger problem within the book I think.

This book feels like a rush job in every sense. Every chapter lacks adequate depth, and it is rife with spelling and grammatical errors. For instance, I believe the author meant to write the word, “wrists,” but unfortunately typed the word, “risks.” I try to overlook these types of minor errors in books, especially if it’s an author who is small and/or self-publishing. However, there were far too many to ignore.

After finishing the book, I found myself wondering what the point of this endeavor was? The author only briefly discusses the impact of this genre/subculture had on them personally. It doesn’t touch on the overall impact in general very much at all. The rest of the book feels like a haphazard collection of Wikipedia articles about various emo bands. It’s frustrating to be honest. It almost feels exploitative.

If this “book” were a free publication available online, then there would be no issue. However, the cost is $15 per paperback copy. For reference, one of the “Silo” series books, which contain 400+ pages, costs LESS than this barely over 100 pages, double spaced, Times New Roman “book.”

I’d like to think this author isn’t in it just for the potential payout, but their work doesn’t suggest I should give them the benefit of the doubt. This book shouldn’t have been published or sold as it is currently. It needs a lot of work. The author needs to find a voice and a perspective beyond simply being a fan of emo music. They need to figure out what their thesis is. Then, once they figure that out, they need to support that thesis clearly and adequately throughout. Writing 101 in other words.

I would not recommend this book. I wouldn’t even define this as a book. As an emo myself, I’m very disappointed.

1/5

[Nicole · Rating 1 out of 5]

Man I really wanted to love this book. But it feels like a very long winded Wikipedia entry.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Honestly, this was just fun to read. This is all (in my opinion) pretty well known stuff if you follow this type of music genre or any of the bands mentioned. Super quick read. The writing was a little iffy but overall I still enjoyed it. 4 stars because I love this genre of music and loved reading about it!

[Goth Radio Hour · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent brief history of the third wave of emo music. I love that Ramsey's love of the music comes through in his words. You can feel his love, and as someone who also loves this music it was a joy to read. I deeply appreciate the love Gym Class Heroes get in this book, they are too often overlooked for their contribution to the scene.
I am excited to read the second volume!

[Whitney · Rating 1 out of 5]

And remember kids: the next time somebody tells you “people wouldn’t publish books without editors,” oh yes they would.

[Jocelyn Schartiger · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would give this book 2.5 stars. Unfortunately, I wanted to like it SO much more than I did. It was a nice little antidote of emo history but it lacked any real content analysis or in depth research. I've seen a couple other reviews that liken this to a long Tumblr post and I couldn't agree more. It's definitely a fun little blurb for lovers of emo music with a lot of opinions and a couple typos.

[Erin DeClue · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a joy to read. So much nostalgia. I actually shrieked out loud when I got to the chapter on TBS. There were even some bands mentioned that I either don't like or am not that familiar with, and this book helped give me a better appreciation for their influence on Emo culture. I also learned a thing or two from this book which is always a plus.

[Jasmin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good stuff

Really enjoyed reading this. The authors enthusiasm for the genre only made the reading experience that much more enjoyable. This brought so much nostalgia. Would definitely recommend to fans of the genre.

[Jenny Ramey · Rating 5 out of 5]

my childhood summed up into part one

thank you for putting so much thought into the bands that shaped me into what i am today. they got me through pretty tough times and remembering the history of them puts a smile on my face. can’t wait to read part 2!

[Katherine ʚїɞ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book for free, as the author was having a deal via Amazon Kindle. With that said, all of my opinions are still my own.

As someone who has spent the last few hundred years dedicated to emo music, this was a very fun and quick read. I loved revisiting some older bands and seeing how they all connected. If you’re new to emo culture and looking to learn a little more, totally check this book out.

Unfortunately a few things made it a tad less enjoyable for me. There were a few tid bits about Panic! and FOB which were wrong… which is disappointing. I consider myself an emo historian and I know those two bands especially like the back of my hand. There were also a few grammatical errors. It wasn’t enough to catch the eye of an average reader since they still read normally, but as someone who’s favorite hobby is grammar practices, it caught my eye. There was also an instance of “Brenden Urie” as opposed to “Brendon Urie.” That annoyed me a hair.

Overall the book left me wanting more. There was great information about the formation of each band and where they are today, but not much about the middle. The author didn’t mention MCR’s final album, Danger Days, or anything after The Black Parade. I am not quite sure why, since the breakup of Panic! was mentioned in the book. I would’ve loved some insight on the MCR reunion tour, their announcement on getting back together, essentially I just wanted more.

With all of that being said, I will be checking out volume two when it comes out. This was a super cute and fun refresher about a genre I love very much.

[Laura Coppolo · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one made my little emo millennial heart so happy. Reading it felt like cracking open an old high school notebook and finding a burned CD tucked inside. Every page took me back to a time when my AIM away message had meaning.

I was that girl with the burned CDs, deep side part and bangs, band tee, studded belt, and Converse. Taking Back Sunday and Brand New will forever be my favorite bands, and as a Jersey girl, I loved the nods to Thursday and the local scene that honestly raised a whole generation of us.

This read like a love letter to a genre that still echoes in our ears (and our hearts, honestly) I do wish it had gone deeper, more layers and more detail. There wasn’t anything remarkable that I didn’t know already, but a nice little reminder of that time. It’s a VERY quick read, and I definitely wanted more.

It brought me right back to MySpace profiles, AIM statuses, and screaming out lyrics in sweaty venues while feeling everything too much.

And now…I’m a mom raising a new generation of tiny humans emo kids who belt out “Cute Without the E” and “The Quiet Things That No One Ever Knows” in the backseat like they were there for the original heartbreak. It’s full circle in the most beautiful way.

This book reminded me why it all mattered, why I fell in love with that music in the first place, and why I never really grew out of it.

So yeah… emo wasn’t just a phase.
It was a coping mechanism.
A lifeline.
And it still slaps 🖤

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 (3.5 STARS)

[Meredith Molloy · Rating 3 out of 5]

🎧: Say The Quiet Part Out Loud: A Book on 2000s Emo Vol. 1 by William Ramsey
⭐️: 3/5

2000s era emo music nostalgia alert. Did anyone else have this pop up on their TikTok algorithm, or is it just me because I'm still listening to the same emo/pop punk playlists that I did in the early aughts?

An overall fun and quick listen where I learned a few tidbits I didn't previously know about some of the bands profiles - Fall Out Boy, Panic! At The Disco, Taking Back Sunday, and Paramore. It does feel more so like a collection of essays, with personal anecdotes thrown in, rather than an oral history of emo music. (Which makes me think, is there a comprehensive oral history of 2000s emo? If not, can someone write that in full soon, please?)

Note: This uses an AI narrator, which I understand to get this self-published work out to a broader audience, but it was definitely a wonky listening experience at moments.

[Punky Broomster · Rating 3 out of 5]

My FYP was really FYPing with this one. Ramsey explores all things early era emo. He covers the major bands that essentially built the foundation of emo music. Not only did he discuss the rise and, sometimes, fall of these iconic bands, he also discuss their impacts to the genre. Being a self published historical novella, this really hit some major key points of early 2000s emo. The downside, it really only scratches the surface. As an elder emo, nearly everything discussed in this book is well known. It’s a great recap and I love that all the info is in one place, but a quick google search or simply just being present at the time, like myself, didn’t make the book feel groundbreaking. It also desperately needs an editor but that’s okay. I enjoyed the book! Don’t get me wrong, it was a fun ride. Just wish it was a little deeper and better structured writing wise. 3.5 out of 5 ⭐️

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

Look, is this book in DESPARATE need of an editor? Yeah, for sure. It's a self published book, get over it. As someone who graduated high school in New Jersey in 2002 and college outside of Albany, NY (where I had a weekend radio show) in 2006, this is a nostolgic quick read. I have and still, to some degree, listened to all the bands mentioned (heavily). So 20 year old me felt vindicated in some weird way.

I hope the author finds some success with his tik tok and can afford a professional editor for any additional books (or a rerelease of this one). I also wish each chapter was fleshed out more, each felt very short and light on detail/information.

But still, you get what you (should) expect.

[Trace Wiley · Rating 3 out of 5]

The information is really good, if a little short on the stories. I'd love for more details if that's at all possible.

The biggest issue I have is the formatting. The lines are too far apart, and there isn't always clear indentation between paragraphs.


Fix the formatting, and the book will be not only an easier read but possibly much shorter. Shorter isn't necessarily a bad thing, as it may encourage the author to flesh out the history of the movement in one piece. Maybe he'll do that later, I don't know


The authors' obviously deep love of the genre is evident throughout the book and lends a depth to it that may otherwise have made the work far more shallow.


It's still a good work, I just want more of it.

[elise ❋ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. This was a quick and enjoyable read that gave me a little more insight on a handful of bands that shaped my musical taste and passion. I finished the book loving most of the bands a little more while disliking one that I never truly connected with in the first place (Brand New).

I think one of the best parts about this book is the the fact that you can connect with the author as you read. It felt like a conversation with a friend who you could talk about music for hours with. It’s also a nostalgic read that will have you putting on your headphones and listening to each band during/after their respective chapter.

[Kelsey · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am being very generous with 3 stars as I do see potential with this author’s voice, but this book was honestly a massive disappointment. The strongest parts of this book are when he offers his unique perspective of the scene. The parts that give rushed, incomplete histories that can be easily found on Wikipedia drag the book down HARD. Most of the people reading something like this already know 90% of the information given. I’d love to hear more about the author’s experiences within the scene itself.

[Becs · Rating 4 out of 5]

*Be aware of TW: suicide/mentions of suicide, mentions of drug use, and one mention of homophobic name calling.*

Discovered this fun little trip down nostalgia lane via tikok and to support someone with a very well-rounded thoughts and ideals. This recount of the 2000 emo era displayed just that. It was fun recalling the days of some of my favorite bands and how they came to be. Though most of the stories I did already know. Looking forward to vol.2

[Jon Steben · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book could have been a blog post or article in a larger publication. The writing made it hard to follow, with the author switching between a narrative and personal commentary with no clear strategy with how and when he switched. The content was good and well-researched, but the entire structure and writing style left a lot to be desired. In short, I like the subject, but I wanted to like the book more than I did.

[Todd · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty interesting overview of the 2000s emo scene, a little bit surface level, though. It reads like the script for a YouTube video at points too

The printing is pretty rough, and it could've used an editor. The line spacing is massive, and seems to be increased to make the book longer. There are also random blank spaces in the book, as if it were the end of a chapter, but it will be the middle of a paragraph

Still an enjoyable read, and I'll probably read volume 2

[schaft · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's a fun, quick read full of spelling and grammar mistakes. Ramsey wrote this like he was writing LiveJournal posts about every band - but in an old web browser, like Internet Explorer, without spell check. He doesn't write about much that anyone who grew up in the era, listening to this music, doesn't already know. If you're new to this style of emo music, this could be a good read for you. I'd recommend "Sellout" over this, though.

[Bella Mallow · Rating 4 out of 5]

Someone described this book as a “collection of blogs,” and I have to agree. This book is incredibly DIY, which at times feels like a fitting homage to the subject matter. That said, it does contain several editing errors that could have been avoided. It’s a fun and super quick read. It’s nostalgic and filled with fun facts about your favorite bands. I don’t regret supporting this author and I enjoyed my time reading this book.

[Ashley · Rating 2 out of 5]

I saw this TikTok and thought I check it out. I wasn't fully into the emo scene but it was big part of my high school years. This was a good look into bands from that era, but really it didn't explore much to give me a sense of what 2000s emo was. Most chapters are about huge bands from the era but it doesn't explore them as much as I wish.

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

The formatting of this book is a nightmare. Not sure if I got a weird copy, but the spacing was too large and unnecessary. Also needed another proofread. However, I did learn some new things about some of my favorite bands. I was disappointed the MCR chapter didn't address their break up. Hopefully that's in future books.

[D ChaCha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read like I was reading a school essay. Not a bad thing, just, it is what it is. The author has a passion and that’s great, he really needs an editor. There were several grammatical errors. Overall it was okay. If you grew up listening to emo and immersing yourself in it, you probably already are familiar with what’s in the book.