What happens when you give one of the most dramatic rock groups hundreds of thousands of dollars, arguably the best rock producer, and the freedom to write about whatever they want? My Chemical Romance’s “The Black Parade,” that’s what. MCR has always aimed to be outlandish, bizarre, and over the top, and on their latest release, they not only hit the bull’s-eye, but go straight through it. Not everyone is a fan of MCR, but they are one of rock’s hottest draws and have been for the past few years. This album will probably alienate the band from the mainstream even more, but it shouldn’t. The amount of emotion, intensity, and sincerity should turn any music-lover around, but we all know that it never works out that way.
MCR has always taken plays from other bands’ playbooks, and they continue to do so on “The Black Parade.” For instance, they recruited Grammy-nominated Green Day producer, Rob Cavallo. They already had learned a thing or two about stage presence and live shows from Green Day, but the mix levels and instrument tones sound hauntingly similar. This reminds me of the old adage “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” because Green Day has had one of the best selling rock albums of the past decade in “American Idiot,” and you can’t blame MCR for following suit in their productions.
The album itself is a departure from their previous two releases. Lead singer, Gerard Way, actually sounds younger, even though he’s around thirty years old. This also marks the first studio appearance from drummer, Bob Bryar, who should be a familiar face because he toured with the band and appeared in all the videos supporting MCR’s last album, “Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge.”
He, by the way, absolutely rocks on this album, and I plan on his becoming a household name amongst the inspiring rock drummers of the future. Guitarists Ray Toro and Frank Iero shine on the album with memorable, melodic riffs and abrasive soloing.
The pocket is kept in place with bassist, Mikey Way, who actually gets to stand-out a little bit on a couple of tracks.
The songs on the new album are just as energetic as always, but they have a little more depth and meaning, if you can imagine that. Tackling death and loss as themes once again, they also added more depression, along with substance abuse and terminal illness. On one track, they even pay homage to their biggest fan base, on the bluesy “Teenagers.”
Apart from their hit-single by the same name of the album, other stand-out tracks include the punk inspired “Dead!,” the almost 80’s-ballad “I Don’t Love You,” and the almost epic “Disenchanted.”
If you’re a fan of good songwriting that isn’t afraid to go outside the box and even become clich at the same time, then you should definitely pick up the highly energetic and catchy “The Black Parade,” by My Chemical Romance, even if you have to put on black eye makeup and pretend that you’re a fourteen-year-old girl.