The whole idea/concept/fashion/lifestyle (or whatever) that is the modern-day emo will forever confound most of us.
Now, don't get me wrong, I used to like some of the early-90's artists who were essentially the progenitors of this drivel (i.e Jawbreaker and Superchunk), but enough is enough!
The fact is, kids, music--yes, all types--generally conjures up EMOtions. And all kinds of emotions too, not just I-really-want-to-make-out-with-my-85-lb.-boi-toi-in-an-H&M-so-badly-LOL emotions, but emotions like despair and happiness, and despair-laced happiness.
Anyway, since the whole term is misleading (it's far from the "emotional" brand of late-80's and early-90's indie/"punk" music that it originally was used to coin) let's just call it quits, ok? There is no more emo. It doesn't exist. The bands who label themselves as "emo" bands today, will not be remembered for anything. I can help you find good music if you would like. Yes, even music you can cry to!
Also, let's be honest. There cannot be a genre of "music" that claims ownership of emotions, or the ability to express them. I'm not sure I care if this is what emo is trying to do (its [followers?] uh, "emos" generally lead one to believe this) but, ironically, music now attached to EMO is so run-of-the-mill and mall-brat whiny that the emotions it does now evoke aren't really worth having. It seems to me that the daily traumas of most "emos" could generally be fixed by a good dye job and a pair of Lohan-inspired whoredog sunglasses.
Now, I do realize, Ricky, that you now have a conundrum on your hands. You've just purchased your black-and-yellow cravat (or whatever) and some really tight jeans, and got your hair dyed black and cut all jagged-like...how can you not be emo now!?
I suppose you could just stop looking for an identity in fleeting fashion trends and mystifying uh, (musical?) miscellaneous trends.