Quite possibly one of the most influential records ever released, being the beginning of emocore and going on to inspire many bands such as My Chemical Romance, Cap’n Jazz, and Sunny Day Real Estate.

The members of Rites of Spring (in true Dischord Records fashion) traded out fast and heavy traditional Hardcore for a slightly slower sound, and more introspective lyrics, this shows wonderfully in tracks like "For Want Of", "Drink Deep", and "Hain's Point". The writing is raw and emotional while Picciottos vocals still have a sort of hardcore flair, with plenty of screaming and shouting all over the record (something that would become a staple of Emo as time went on).