The Hated - Collected Works (1985-1989)

Genre: Emo
Website: n/a
For Fans Of: Moss Icon, Rites of Spring, R.E.M.

Okay, let's get one thing straight.

The Hated are cooler than you.

Now that that's out of the way, you're prepared to listen to one of the first, and most original emo bands. The Hated do not sound stereotypically emo, although their early material definitely has a clear punk edge. The Hated took what was great about the "Revolution Summer" DC bands and added an alt rock element that is equal parts latter-day Husker Du and early R.E.M. The vocals are strained and heartfelt, the lyrics socially conscious, and the music driving, catchy and mesmerizing. Simply put, this is the coolest thing you could have been listening to in the 80s, and still is today.

The Hated are a classic example of a criminally overlooked band that influenced so many artists. Listening closely, you can hear the seeds of what would become the first wave of popular emo (Sunny Day Real Estate, etc). Although SDRE probably weren't hip enough to have even heard the Hated. These guys are an emo-roots band that managed to be extremely progressive with the sound of the scene.

The collection I have posted here contains every song they have ever done. These are not vinyl rips. This music comes straight from the master tapes. I have no idea who put this online, but I love them. This will probably never be officially released, but Stormy over at Blogged and Quartered came up with some great album artwork/tracklistings.

The Hated Collection Vol. 1
The Hated Collection Vol. 2
The Hated Collection Vol. 3