Not Your Average Macys Parade
Six months ago, a new mysterious band called The Black Parade launched a one page website that contained only their name scrawled in white, silhouettes of the five members, and a few echoing piano notes. Rumors spread and eventually the secret of My Chemical Romance’s third album alter ego The Black Parade was revealed.Like a grim Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Heart’s Club Band, MCR now dress in Prussian inspired military outfits instead of their former bulletproof vest costumes. While epic marching band anthem “Welcome to the Black Parade” has garnered comparisons abound to Green Day and Queen, The Black Parade is still lyrically 100 percent My Chemical Romance. On “Teenagers,” newly blond lead singer Gerard Way sneers about high school alienation similar to songs from Three Cheers For Sweet Revenge, but this time around he commands attention like the leader of an army of angry misfits.
The difference between the albums is that the instrumentation have evolved to become more powerful, allowing guitarists Frank Iero and Ray Toro a chance to show off a harder, almost metal sound on tracks such as “This Is How I Disappear” and “Famous Last Words.” Drummer Bob Bryar’s jazzy beat and Mikey Way’s pounding bassline provide a driving force, especially on the standout track “House of Wolves.” The added element of staccato piano amplifies the emotional context of The Black Parade and helps make “Cancer” a somber, serious ballad. Switching styles once again, “Mama” may very well be the long lost punk-polka song from “Cabaret,” with even Liza Minnelli making an unsuspected brief appearance.
Some cynics may still mock and label, but My Chemical Romance has proven they’re more than a fad band. Dark, personal, and somehow uplifting in its despair, The Black Parade is one to join in.
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