Dear Diary, My Teen Angst Has a Bodycount

Dear Diary, My Teen Angst Has a Bodycount is the debut studio album by American post-hardcore band From First to Last. It was released on June 28, 2004, through Epitaph Records.

Background

The title was taken from a monologue in the film Heathers, in which Winona Ryder's character is writing in her diary. Production was handled by Lee Dyess and the band themselves. The album was remastered by Beau Burchell from Saosin, however, it is not indicated on the personnel, possibly due to a contemporary feud between the band. The album is also notable for being one of the earliest projects featuring singer and multi-instrumentalist Sonny Moore.

Music and lyrics

Dear Diary... is considered to be a "scene album" by some publications, such as Alternative Press. The genres are post-hardcore, emo and screamo. The album also incorporates elements of heavy metal, such as double kick drumming. Vocalist Sonny Moore incorporates screaming. Some of the material has drawn comparisons to blink-182. The track "Kiss Me, I'm Contagious" incorporates dual vocals. The track "Emily" is an acoustic ballad. The album's "emo lyrics" explore themes such as heartbreak, angst, self-pity and anger.

Critical reception

The album received generally mixed reviews from music critics. It reached number 12 and 21 on the Billboard Heatseekers Albums and Independent Albums chart. It spawned two singles: "Ride the Wings of Pestilence" and "Note to Self". The hidden track features contributing vocals from American rapper Major League Playa. "Populace in Two" was included in the soundtrack for the video game Burnout 3: Takedown.
It was released on the iTunes store for download on July 26, 2005.
Loudwire named "Note to Self" the best emo track of 2005.

Personnel

;From First to Last

Sonny Moore – lead vocals, additional guitar, programming
Matt Good – co-lead vocals, lead guitar, keyboard, background vocals
Travis Richter – rhythm guitar, unclean vocals, background vocals
Jon Weisberg – bass, unclean vocals
Derek Bloom – drums, percussion

;Additional musicians

Major League Playa – vocals

;Production

Lee Dyess – production, mixing
Beau Burchell – mastering, mixing
Brian Gardner – mastering
Nick Pritchard – album design
Adam Krause – photography
Cody Nierstadt – design