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Rating: The main problem with bands like My Chemical Romance, similar to other bands, is that they are targeted by hordes of teenagers ready to celebrate the first band that comes along. This mimicking provokes the dislikes and hatred of many towards the band. And here, one can only fully agree since seeing the fans they have and the image, the American band wouldn't deserve the slightest interest, but since we're here to judge the music offered primarily, let's focus on this aspect leaving other issues aside, as it would be foolish to judge only by appearance.
Reviewing this "Three Cheers For Sweet Revenge" today is certainly not like doing it as soon as it was released five years ago, since the band then certainly didn't have the visibility and fame (deserved or not) they have now, and here we reconnect to the previous discussion. Musically speaking, this is the second CD of the group following the first "I Brought You Bullets, You Brought Me Love" and preceding the live album "Life On The Murder Scene" and the much-discussed "The Black Parade" with which they practically changed genre by approaching rock. Note how all three works are very different from one another, especially there is a chasm between the first two and the last. While the first mixed speed with dark-gothic elements and incursions into emo-core (with a sound similar to AFI) with songs sometimes marked by a distinct introspective touch, this one streamlines the formula but unlike its predecessor, is a more intense and powerful album in terms of execution speed. In practical terms, the longer and sometimes darker songs that characterized the first album disappear, leaving space only for emotionally-driven hardcore.
Let it be clear that the term hardcore can have a thousand nuances, but here it mainly indicates a rhythmic section with medium-high tempos, while the vocals refer to bands like Silverstein and Funeral For A Friend, with the alternation of Gerard Way's predominantly clean singing to the screaming, a characteristic element of the new emocore. It is perhaps precisely Silverstein the band with which one can find the most points of contact with Way and his associates, at least for this record. Although the MCR stand out for a style definitely more mellow in tones and vocalizations compared to the Canadian counterparts.
The songs are engaging and able to captivate the listener, among the most beautiful are "I'm not okay (I promise)" and "Thank you for the venom," which are also the two singles. Both are fast and characterized by excellent guitar solos. Also very beautiful is the ballad with emo hues (but here we reach a level of expressiveness and genuineness far superior to the simple pop-rock ballads of the successor) "The ghost of you," very melancholic and featuring in the bridge an alternate solo and screams. A truly exceptional song, not only the best of the album but perhaps the most beautiful ever of the New Jersey group.
To songs that, however, we can say are catchy, pieces with a more aggressive matrix that increase the rhythms are complemented. Among these, stand out the concise "Give em' hell kid!" and the particular "You know what they do to guys" which gradually builds up rhythm after a gentle intro, concluding with a thrilling final scream. Emo-core influences are felt instead in "Hang em' high," the most violent song of the batch characterized by occasionally emphasized screaming reminiscent of Silverstein. The piece features Bert McCraken from The Used. However, these pieces are contrasted with others considerably more melodic like the opener "Helena," in my opinion, the only weak point of the platter, "To the end" and a relaxing, at least to a certain extent, "Cemetery drive." The only track that manages to recall the debut album is "The jetset life is gonna kill you" with an organ intro and more decadent and dark atmospheres.
But the true gem of the album is to be found in the track that closes the platter, namely "I never told you what do for a living" which shows who the real My Chemical Romance are. A piece steeped in suffering and hope, cleverly alternating speed and slower arpeggios in line with the choruses, concluding splendidly with a series of lacerating and continuous screams. Finally, there is a bonus track "Bury me in black," also driven by a good dose of nastiness.
"Three Cheers For Sweet Revenge" has a very strong emotional impact that manages to provoke significant sensations and feelings, shaking like few others. An album certainly with a slightly more challenging impact than its successor but that manages to be listened to and fully convinces the intertwining between the various sounds. Additionally, the combo with this work manages to do better than similar bands like Funeral For A Friend, The Used, and Aiden.
An added value to all is given by the splendid voice of Gerard Way, one of the most beautiful of the genre, able to perfectly juggle the various vocal registers and nuances. To this, the good performance of the Iero-Toro duo on guitars is added, churning out riffs at will and surpassing themselves in solos.
This full-length crowns the group as a reality, managing to produce one of the best albums in the emocore field in recent years. Undoubtedly a little gem in its genre. Ultimately, an excellent album that I recommend listening to for removing some prejudice against this band and getting to know its origins.
Tracklist Lyrics and Videos
01 Helena (03:22)
Long ago
Just like the hearse you died to get in again
We are so far from you
Burning on just like a match you strike to incinerate
The lives of everyone you know
And what's the worst you take(worst you take)
From every heart you break (heart you break)
And like a blade you stain (blade you stain)
Well I've been holding on tonight
[Chorus]
What's the worst that I could say?
Things are better if I stay
So long and goodnight
So long not goodnight
Came a time
When every star fall brought you to tears again
We are the very hurt you sold
And what's the worst you take(worst you take)
From every heart you break (heart you break)
And like a blade you stain (blade you stain)
Well I've been holding on tonight
[Chorus]
What's the worst that I could say?
Things are better if I stay
So long and goodnight
So long not goodnight
And if you carry on this way
Things are better if I stay
So long and goodnight
So long not goodnight
Can you hear me?
Are you near me?
Can we pretend to leave and then
We'll meet again, when both our cars collide
[Chorus]
What's the worst that I can say?
Things are better if I stay
So long and goodnight
So long not goodnight
And if you carry on this way
Things are better if I stay
So long and goodnight
So long not goodnight
03 To the End (02:59)
He calls the mansion not a house but a tomb
He's always choking from the stench and the fume
The wedding party all collapsed in the room
So send my resignation to the bride and the groom
Let's go down
This elevator only goes up to ten.
He's not around, he's always looking at men
Down by the pool he doesn't have many friends
As they are
Face down and bloated, snap a shot with the lens
If you marry me
Would you bury me?
Would you carry me to the end?
Say goodbye to the vows you take
And say goodbye to the life you make
And say goodbye to the hearts you break
And all the cyanide you drank
She keeps a picture of the body she lends
Got nasty blisters from the money she spends
She's got a life of her own and it shows by the Benz she drives at 90 by the Barbies and Kens
If you ever say never too late
I'll forget all the diamonds you ate
Lost in coma and covered in cake
Increase the medication
Share the vows at the wake
(Kiss the bride)
If you marry me
Would you bury me?
Would you carry me to the end?
Say goodbye to the vows you take
And say goodbye to the life you make
And say goodbye to the hearts you break
And all the cyanide you drank
So say goodbye to the last parade
And walk away from the choice you've made
And say goodnight to the hearts you break
And all the cyanide you drank
Say goodbye to the vows you take
And say goodbye to the life you make
And say goodbye to the hearts you break
And all the cyanide you drank
Say goodbye to the last parade
And walk away from the choice you've made
And say goodnight to the hearts you break
And all the cyanide you drank
To the last parade
And the parties fade
And the choice you make
To the end
05 I'm Not Okay (I Promise) (03:06)
Words that only appear in the video clip
Ray Toro: You like D&D, Audrey Hepburn, Fangoria, Harry Houdini and croquet, you can't swim, you can't dance and you don't know karate. Face it, you're never going to make it.
Gerard Way: I don't want to make it. I just want...
End of words that only appear in the video clip
Well if you wanted honesty that's all you had to say
I never want to let you down or have you go
It's better off this way
For all the dirty looks
The photographs your boyfriend took
Remember when you broke your foot from jumping out the second floor
I'm not okay
I'm not okay
I'm not okay
You wear me out
What will it take to show you that it's not the life it seems
(I'm not okay)
I've told you time and time again, you sing the words but don't know
(I'm not okay)
What it means
To be a joke and look
Another line without a hook
I held you close as we both shook
For the last time--take a good hard look
I'm not okay
I'm not okay
I'm not okay
You wear me out
Forget about the dirty looks
The photographs your boyfriend took
You said you'd read me like a book
But the pages all are torn and frayed
I'm okay
I'm okay
I'm okay
Now I'm okay
Now
But you really need to listen to me
Because I'm telling you the truth
I mean this
I'm okay
Trust me
I'm not okay
I'm not okay
Well, I'm not okay
I'm not o-fucking-kay
I'm not okay
I'm not okay
(Okay)
06 The Ghost of You (03:23)
I never said I'd lie in wait forever
If I did we'd be together
I can't always just forget her
But she could try
At the end of the world or the last thing I see
You are never coming home
Never coming home
Could I?
Should I?
And all the things that you never ever told me
And all the smiles that are ever ever
Ever
Get the feeling
That you're never
All alone and I remember now
At the top of my lungs in my arms
She dies
She dies
At the end of the world or the last thing I see
You are never coming home
Never coming home
Could I?
Should I?
And all the things that you never ever told me
And all the smiles that are ever gonna haunt me
Never coming home
Never coming home
Could I?
Should I?
And all the wounds that are ever gonna scar me
For all the ghosts that are never gonna catch me
If I fall
If I fall down
At the end of the world or the last thing I see
You are never coming home
Never coming home
Never coming home
Never coming home
And all the things that you never ever told me
And all the smiles that are ever gonna haunt me
Never coming home
Never coming home
Could I?
Should I?
And all the wounds that are ever gonna scar me
For all the ghosts that are never gonna...
09 Thank You for the Venom (03:41)
Sister, I'm not much a poet but a criminal
And you never had a chance
Love it or leave it, you can't understand
A pretty face but you do so carry on
And on and on
I wouldn't front the scene if you paid me
I'm just the way that the doctor made me
On and on and on and on
Love is the red of the rose on your coffin door
What's life like bleeding on the floor?
The floor, the floor
You'll never make me leave
I wear this on my sleeve
Give me a reason to believe
So gimme all your poison
And gimme all your pills
And gimme all your hopeless hearts and make me ill
You're running after something that you'll never kill
If this is what you want
Then fire at will
Preach all you want but who's gonna save me?
I keep a gun on the book that you gave me
Hallelujah, lock and load
Black is the kiss, the touch of the serpent son
It ain't the mark or the scar that makes you run
And run and run and run
You'll never make me leave
I wear this on my sleeve
Give me your reason to believe
So gimme all your poison
And gimme all your pills
And gimme all your hopeless hearts and make me ill
You're running after something that you'll never kill
If this is what you want
Then fire at will
You'll never make me leave
I wear this on my sleeve
You wanna follow something
Give me a better cause to lead
Just give me what I need
Give me a reason to believe
So gimme all your poison
And gimme all your pills
And gimme all your hopeless hearts and make me ill
You're running after something that you'll never kill
If this is what you want
Then fire at will
So gimme all your poison
(Fire at will)
And gimme all your pills
And gimme all your hopeless hearts and make me ill
(Fire at will)
You're running after something that you'll never kill
(Fire at will)
If this is what you want
(Fire at will)
Then fire at will
10 Hang 'Em High (02:47)
Wait until it fades to black
Ride into the sunset
Would I lie to you?
Well I've got something to say
Grab your six-gun from your back
Throttle the ignition
Would I die for you?
Well here's your answer in spades
Shotgun sinners, wild-eyed jokers
Got you in my sights
Gun it while I'm holding on
After all is said and done
Climb out from the pine box
Well I'm asking you
Cause she's got nothing to say
The angels just cut out her tongue
Call her Black Mariah
Would I lie to you?
That girl's not right in the brain
Mass convulsions
Strike the choir
By the grace of God
Gun it while I'm holding on
But, don't stop
If I fall
And don't look back
Oh baby don't stop
Bury me and fade to black
She won't stop me, put it down
She won't stop me, put it down
She won't stop me, put it down
So get your gun and meet me by the door
She won't stop me, put it down
She won't stop me, put it down
She won't stop me, put it down
So get your gun and meet me by the door
She won't stop me, put it down
She won't stop me, put it down
She won't stop me, put it down
So get your gun and meet me by the door
She won't stop me, put it down
She won't stop me, put it down
She won't stop me, put it down
So baby
Don't stop
If I fall
And don't look back
Oh baby don't stop
Bury me and fade to black
Don't stop
If I fall
And don't look back
Oh baby don't stop
Bury me and fade to black
12 Cemetery Drive (03:06)
This night
Walk the dead
In a solitary style and crash the cemetery gates
In the dress your husband hates
Way down
Mark the grave
Where the searchlights find us drinking by the mausoleum door
And they found you on the bathroom floor
I miss you
I miss you so far
And the collision of your kiss that made it so hard
Back home
Off the run
Singing songs that make you slit your wrists
It isn't that much fun
Staring down a loaded gun
So I won't stop dying
Won't stop lying
If you want I'll keep on crying
Did you get what you deserve?
Is this what you always want me for?
I miss you
I miss you so far
And the collision of your kiss that made it so hard
Way down (x8)
I miss you
I miss you so far
And the collision of your kiss that made it so hard
And well I miss you
And well I miss you so far
And the collision of your kiss that made it so hard
That made it so hard
Way down (x9)
13 I Never Told You What I Do for a Living (03:50)
Stay out of the light
Or the photograph that I gave you
You could say a prayer if you need to
But just get in line and I'll grieve you
Can I meet you?
Alone
Another night and I'll see you
Oh, another night and I'll be you
Some other way to continue
To hide my face
Another knife in my hands
A stain that never comes off the sheets
Clean me off
I'm so dirty, babe
The kind of dirty where the water never cleans off the clothes
I keep a book of the names and those
Only go so far
'Til you bury them
So deep and down we go
Touched by angels though
I fall out of grace
I did it all so maybe
I'd live this every day
Another knife in my hands
A stain that never comes off the sheets
Clean me off
I'm so dirty, babe
It ain't the money and it sure as hell ain't just for the fame
It's for the bodies I claim and those
Only go so far
'Til you bury them
So deep and down we go
Down
And down we go
And down we go
And down we go
And we all fall down
I tried
I tried
And we'll all dance alone to the tune of your death
We'll love again
We'll laugh again
And it's better off this way
And never again
And never again
They gave us two shots to the back of the head
And we're all dead now
Well never again
And never again
They gave us two shots to the back of the head
And we're all dead now
I tried
One more night
One more night
Well I'm laughing, crying, laughing
I tried
Well I tried
Well I tried
'Cause I tried
But I lied
I, I tried
I tried
I tried
And we'll love again
We'll laugh again.
We'll cry again and we'll dance again
And it's better off this way
So much better off this way
I can't clean the blood off the sheets in my bed
Never again
And never again
They gave us two shots to the back of the head
And we're all dead now
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