DROPS: My Chemical Romance
On its previous two albums, My Chemical Romance's ambitions have outstripped their execution - a good band striving for greatness by walking the line between bombast and grandeur.
That doesn't really change on "The Black Parade" (Warner Bros.), since My Chem's reach expands exponentially the more proficient its grasp gets. But, man, have they gotten better at taking risks.
The leadoff single, "Welcome to the Black Parade," promises the world in just over five minutes - a call-to-arms to become "the savior of the broken, the beaten and the damned," a demonstration of how punk-pop can be an effective venue for ideas beyond broken hearts, and the centerpiece of a concept album about death and dying. And, despite the odds, it delivers on every point.
What makes "The Black Parade" such a thrill is that it swings for the fences like that on every track. Sometimes they strike out - on the crazy "Mama," which features a cameo from Liza Minnelli. But, most of the time they connect, in a variety of styles, no less.
"Dead!" bounces manically from Queen-like bluster to stylish punk-pop. "Teenagers" is a grandiose grind, built on testosterone and T. Rex-styled guitars. "I Don't Love You" opens like Coldplay's "Yellow," before turning into an anthem like Green Day's "Wake Me When September Ends." (Producer Rob Cavallo, who worked on Green Day's "American Idiot," helps My Chemical Romance build a concept album that's just as good.)
"The Black Parade" is fearless and outrageous, yet melodic enough to hook even the most casual listener. It sets the bar incredibly high for any band looking to be the next leader of the punk-pop/emo scene. ("The Black Parade," in stores today; Grade: A)
More on THE A-LIST
Listen to "Welcome to the Black Parade" here
E-mail
Facebook
Digg
Delicious
Comments (31)
hey u are my favorite band i love ur music i like Goast of you and the black parade
tyson
i love this band, i am a huge fan! the music and lyrics are catchy and i can't wait to see you live! i was surfing the web one day hoping to find a My Chemical Romance concert near me and i was sad when i found out they weren't coming near my area so i couldn't see all of you :'( i was truley devostated. i was just wondering if you have any spare time after your tour you wouldn't mind coming to Boston so i can finely hear you guys live, because i admire your music that you create and the message that you give to all of you fans out there! sincerely,
Laura
P.S.i hope you will consider performing in Boston soon Gerard, Ray, Bob, Mikey, and Frank :)
hiya i would love to get 3 backstage passes 4 me mate's b.day she would love it and were are goin watching them next month on the 24th march 2007 we would die to go back stage we would love it sooo much lots of love there biggest fan.
I was wondering how can i get backstage passes to the my chem show in san antonio texas on april 16 at the at&t center. i would really love to meet them they are my favorite band of all time. please can someone help me you can contact me at blinkie619@yahoo.com please take consideration and email the information.
i wont 3 backstage passes to my chemical romance in Nashville TENN
i have been trying to get backstage passses for like 2 years straight. and i would die if i got them. i lovvvvvvvvvvvvve mcrx4390706
I LOVE MCR,THEY SAVE MY LIFE!!!!!!
mcr rocks I love themm
hehehe i love this band
i realy want backstage passes for mcr next time they come to manchester i cnt explain howmuch i love this band they are truly amazin. i was wondering if you can get them for the download festival??
Yeah... it would be totally, completely, and utterly amazing if I could get backstage passes to My Chemical Romance on April the 16th... they've been my favorite band since I can remember... [for about 4 years I would say now.] And I absolutely love their music... their character... and just how they're all such all around great guys. Keep rockin' and inspiring. Love you guys!! Can't wait to see ya'll in concert again!! Woot! Woot!
~Wendy
hi, my name is Jessica and i would die to get 2 or 3 backstage passes for my chemical romance. I would do anything just to get 2 or 3 backstage passes. I LOVE MCR SOO MUCH. they saved my life and i would like to show them my gratitude.
I want backstage passes for MCR on May 3rd at Glens Falls Civic Center....please tell me how to get them!!!!!!!
MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE IS F-IN AWESOME
Heyy!
I'm going to a MCR concert August 11, in tampa. It's at the Ford Amphitheatre, a Projekt Revolution tour...Could you guys maybe show me a way to get some meet & greet backstage passes for that date? I LOVE THEM! Been with them since Bullets, and I would KILL to meet them...Please somebody, help me!
hey im fourteen and yeah that makes me a lil kid i guess but hey i just love the music and most of my friends do to . wow. my parents are finally going to let me come see all of you on september first in tinley parl illiois yeahaahahh/. i know being this age people autamaticly assume that we are imature and thats probably true but i really wanted to know it there is any way me and my best friend can see the band in person.. possably backstage or something. gerard i literaly dreamed about you haha yeah funney i know. i wanted to cry when i woke up : (. but yes any information please let me know
lots of love
Hey,
you guys are an awesome band. In fact..you're my boyfriends favorite. His birthday is comeing up soon and i'm trying to find a way to get back stage passes for him to meet you at projekt revolution, it would make him the happiest guy.
Hi, I'm going to projekt revolution on august 24, in mansfield ma and i was wondering if i could please have two backstage passes. Thank you! NK!
So do the backstage pass requests really work on here? If so, I'd love nothing more than to get a backstage pass for the Projekt Revolution tour in Selma on August 3rd. This band's timing has been impecable in my life--releasing "Three Cheers" (and Helena) just after I'd lost my grandfather and stopping in San Antonio on "The Black Parade" tour on the very day of the VA Tech shooting (I'm originally from Virginia and had a lot of friends there). I've written them many a time to let them know just what they mean in my life, but you never know if those letters will reach them. It would mean the world to get to tell them myself, in person.
My Chemical romance is an amazing band i dont know how i would be able to live if they werent a band. They saved my life and they mean the world to me. They are my life. I have been To lots of there shows, but i never can come across getting backstage passes, and i would do anything for them, i need to meet them, the next show that they are coming to is on August 26 at the dodge music center, and i need to meet them.... all i need are back stage passes.
No, no, no! The name of the blog is Backstage Pass, they don't give out backstage passes here!
does anyone have any information on backstage passes for projekt revolution on august 10th sound advice west palm beach? my email is guyaneseprincess579@yahoo.com plz email if u do!
OH MY GOSH My ChEmIcAl RoMaNcE is the best band ever i love them so much i would kill to have 2 back stage passes i would probably faint!!! you guys totally rock plus you guys would be the first concert i ever went 2!!! and i want to remember that my chemcial romance was the first concert i went to for the rest of my life!!
I'm going to the Projekt Revolution show in NJ on Aug. 25th. Im taking my boyfriend for his b-day... and he (and i) is a HUGE FAN! I would love to know how to get some backstage passes!?!?!
UMMM HIIIIIIIIIII I love UR band and I just wanted to say I LOVE YOU!!!
mcr r the best band to ever walk this planet cnt w8 2 go n c then in nov any1 else going or gone 2 c then coz i want 2 know wat they sell
Heyy!! Its Megann and i just wanted to say i love those guys! My Chem is so honest and really people can relate to them and their music. They are just INCREDIBLE if i had only one word to explain them!! I just wanted to know how i could be able to get about 2 or 3 backstage passes. I love them lotss!! i miss them already and they arent even off tour yet. cant wait till their new album. And it would be my first concert ever i havent seen them live before...ever. I'm kind of a new fan but i love them a lot anyways. =] i cant think of a better band than them. okayy, so now im done my speech. ahaa.
ello its katie I just wanted to say MychemicalRomance is the Most AWSOMEEST BAND EVER.......! and my ChemicalRomance is my Fav band and im gowing to one of their concerts tomorrow its the first time iv ever bin to one of their concerts so im like so Happy right now u have no idea. and if i get to like meet them in person i will so faint right now. Lots love katie...!
its so overwhelming to meet people who feel the exact same way as me. I have been completely mesmorised by Gerard way since i was seven years old and to this day my feelings havent died a bit. in fact, theve got much much stronger! im finally able to go to one of mcr's concerts! i was going to go the one in sheffield in november but they sold out- i was devestated. i am determined to get a ticket(front row!) for there 2009 tour. i dont think they've officially announced the dates or anything yet though have they?to get a backstage pass, well thats what i live for. thats the reason why i am here on this planet. to be told i couldnt ever get one would destroy, compeletely. that is no joke, i might die. but they dont sell them, do they? so you have to win them on the radio. does anyone know which station? pleaseeeeee? or i could stand outside there tourbus but theres still no guarantee if i did. please help me. please!
My nephew is a HUGE fan of My Chemical Romance and also the Projekt Revolution bands (and a cool musician himself tho only 14). I am his "godmother" but I would definitely be more like a "fairy godmother" if I could get a couple backstage passes for him to the West Palm Beach [Cruzan Amphitheatre] venue. Help me, Obi Wan Kinobe--you're my only hope!
i love my mcr song. i like disenchanted. thats the best. thanks mcr thanks gerald. emo