CORPORATE LINE: The Black Parade, My Chemical Romance’s follow-up to its 2004 platinum major-label debut Three Cheers For Sweet Revenge, “is way more dramatic, way more theatrical, completely over the top, borderline psychotic,” says Gerard Way. “It’s the most pure, intense thing we’ve ever been involved in.” Producer by Rob Cavallo (Green Day), the album is a celebration of lvoe and death and darkness. Join The Black Parade. The Limited Edition special packaging features an 11-11/16″ x 5-13/16″, long skinny box with hinged lid, wrapped in black velveteen material, with a debossed design on the top. The 64-page bound paperback book inside the box is modeled after a Victorian-style photo album, and contains Gerard’s drawings, making-of-the-album notes, and more.
THE GOOD:
“The End” – If this isn’t welcome to the ‘70s with a big glob of Bowie makeup and glam then what is it? It’s a welcome return of a band that isn’t afraid to step out on the edge and rock in a big way.
“The Sharpest Lives” – Sure this might be full of nonsensical teenage drama dressed to look like it came off Queen’s greatest hits, but MCR knows how to dress a song like an anthem—and the more you hear it the more you start to believe its true.
“Welcome to the Black Parade” – Way sings about being the “savior of the broken, the beaten, and the damned” and he just might be one of the few to save us from the death of rock ‘n’ roll.
“Mama” – Way makes a rock ‘n’ roll opera that would make Freddy Mercury smile.
“Cancer” – A touching song about dealing with death—even if its fake its still one of the more beautiful songs.
“Teenagers” – A funny, quirky rock song that will make rock fans reminisce about Ziggy, Mott the Hoople, and T. Rex. This just might be the best song on the album simply because you can’t help but sing along much like the classic “All The Young Dudes”.
THE AVERAGE:
“Dead!” – It’s too easy to be convinced by the hooky punk rock that this is really a better song than it is. MCR can do better than this and they have—the proof all around them.
“I Don’t Love You” – This sure beats the wimpy rock ballads that usually get tossed in to fill space.
THE BAD:
Nothing.
FRANKLY: My Chemical Romance wants to welcome us to The Black Parade and we should be thankful that someone is still making entertaining rock. The Black Parade is slim on filler and heavy on rock anthems. Fans of My Chemical Romance won’t be surprised to find songs that are larger than life and just as quirky. The Black Parade is by one of the best rock albums of the year.
+ Rae Gun
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.