Lingua Franca (album)

Lingua Franca is the debut studio album by American indie rock band The Get Up Kids, released in 1997 on Doghouse Records. The album is considered a seminal work in the emo genre, though the band themselves have often distanced themselves from the label.

The album features a mix of fast-paced, energetic songs with introspective and emotional lyrics, characteristic of the burgeoning emo scene of the late 1990s. Key themes explored in the album include relationships, identity, and the struggles of growing up.

While not a commercial blockbuster upon its initial release, Lingua Franca gained a dedicated following and helped solidify The Get Up Kids' position as a leading band in the emo and indie rock scenes. It is recognized for its influence on subsequent generations of musicians and remains a critically acclaimed album within the genre. The album's title, "Lingua Franca," refers to a common language used for communication between people who speak different native languages, potentially alluding to the band's aim to connect with listeners through their music across diverse backgrounds and experiences.