Jimmy Eat World

If I were a high school principal on graduation day, I'd cut the commencement address and just play this record at top volume, because Jimmy Eat World taps into the hormone-fueled roller coaster of emo that 17-year-olds are riding way more successfully than some boring congressman. With earnest laments on first love, first drug addiction, even first election, Futures speaks to someone on the precipice of something huge, when every moment is imbued with epic symbolism and meaning. OK, so it's a little clichéd at times (emo lyric alert: "I can't help it baby, this is who I am/ I'm sorry, but I can't just go turn off how I feel"). Still, Futures is a damn good power-pop record with a handful of songs ("Pain," "Just Tonight," the title track) that'll stick to your brain sure as toilet paper to the school nerd's shoe. Adolescent themes aside, there's enough edge and tight songwriting to lure the jaded, and even a cameo by indie goddess Liz Phair ("Work") to sate the hipsters.