| Designing a Nervous Breakdown | ||||
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | January 25, 2000 | |||
| Recorded | July 1999 | |||
| Studio | Kingsize Soundlabs, Chicago, Illinois | |||
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| Length | 39:59 | |||
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| Producer | David Trumfio | |||
| The Anniversary chronology | ||||
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Designing a Nervous Breakdown is the debut studio album by the American rock band the Anniversary, released on January 25, 2000, through Vagrant and Heroes & Villains Records. After finalizing their line-up and changing their name, the band self-released a three-track demo tape in 1998. The following year, they signed to Vagrant imprint Heroes & Villains Records at the insistence of the Get Up Kids bassist Rob Pope. In July 1999, the Anniversary recorded their debut with producer David Trumfio at Kingsize Soundlabs in Chicago, Illinois. Designing a Nervous Breakdown has been described as an emo, indie rock and synth-pop release, drawing comparison to Devo, the Rentals and Sonic Youth.
Designing a Nervous Breakdown was met with generally positive reviews from music critics. Preceded by a split-single with the Get Up Kids, the album was promoted with West and East Coast tours of the United States with Love as Laughter, Hot Rod Circuit and Piebald. They then embarked on European and US tours with the Get Up Kids and labelmates Koufax. Designing a Nervous Breakdown has appeared on various best-of emo album lists by A.Side TV, LA Weekly and Treblezine; it has since influenced acts such as the All-American Rejects and Hellogoodbye.