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THE REVIEW
After a first raw and unripe album from semi-unknowns and the worldwide success of Three Cheers For Sweet Revenge, My Chemical Romance returns with The Black Parade. While the previous work seemed like a product of post-adolescent artistic maturity, this LP clearly aims to garner as much consensus as possible rather than focusing on the quality of the product. The sound, in fact, undergoes a transformation: from paranoid dark-punk to pop-rock. It's a good idea to have a common theme in all the tracks: death.
It begins with The End, the classic "opening song," followed by three tracks reminiscent of an '80s rock band where the guitarist is heavily involved and there's great attention to choruses made for screaming. As you continue listening, among the best are the excellent single Welcome to the Black Parade, a triumphant punk-rock march similar to an anthem, and Teenagers with its original and catchy sound. The worst can be heard in Cancer, Disenchanted, and I Don't Love You, which wouldn't look out of place on a Backstreet Boys album, the latter also accompanied by a video worthy of the worst boy bands. Also noteworthy are Mama, which resembles a Rocky Horror soundtrack, House of Wolves, and Famous Last Words, which vainly attempt to bring the band back to their punk dimension.
The Black Parade is the classic example of commercialization caused by MTV and mass media, transforming a band aiming to make music into cover personalities. Despite everything, the album is listenable and achieves its aim, though it makes alternative rock lovers cringe. The hope is that this change is just an obligatory step for a young band and that in their musical journey, they abandon the urge to appear on 13-year-olds' bedroom posters, managing to remain celebrities without having to conform to current trends.
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Summary by Bot
The Black Parade by My Chemical Romance marks a clear shift from dark punk to pop-rock with a unifying death theme. While the album delivers strong anthems like "Welcome to the Black Parade" and "Teenagers," some tracks feel overly commercialized and lose the band's original punk edge. The review suggests the album aims for mass appeal, making alternative rock fans uncomfortable, yet remains listenable and successful.Tracklist Lyrics Videos
My Chemical Romance
My Chemical Romance is an American rock band from New Jersey, led by vocalist Gerard Way. They rose to mainstream prominence in the 2000s, are closely associated with emo and alternative rock culture, and are especially known for the concept album The Black Parade.17 Reviews
Other reviews
By Francis1
"Already the single 'Welcome To The Black Parade'... redeemed me from the doubt of having characterized MCR as a kind of boy band for 'alternative' girls."
"'Cancer' is one of the most touching songs I’ve ever heard... I’m not ashamed to say I cried listening to it, and I think it’s impossible to remain indifferent to it."
By Birbabirba
"The best track is 'Welcome to the Black Parade', truly splendid and a perfectly chosen single."
"'Teenagers'; I listen to it continuously lately and never get tired, it gives me an incredible boost!"
By ascensions86
The album’s title faithfully reflects the songs, as it seems like you’re really witnessing a gigantic parade in which the band members perform with great pomp and absolutely out of the ordinary, accompanied by darkness and death.
You don’t only feel the constant presence of death but also its opposite, life, imposed through the voice of singer Gerard Way, noisy, sad, but also strong and melodic.
By lovelorn
"'Welcome To The Black Parade' is the best track on the album: a continuous crescendo, emphatic from the piano note-based intro to the energetic and singable chorus."
"A decidedly varied and well-played album... enjoyable to listen to, including several pleasant moments."
By Fede89
"Many people who consider emo garbage... surely know only two things about it: the band’s name and the music videos."
"Critics have considered The Black Parade an album of generational impact like Nevermind and American Idiot were. History repeats..."
