The same dark chemists that swung their arms high to "Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge" two years ago are on the march again, but this time under a different name.
Fans of the cult membership rock group may remember them as My Chemical Romance, but in correlation with their new concept record of the same title, they're now known as "The Black Parade."
The Black Parade is the same emo-rock group that exploded into teenage hearts with depressing tales of life, teen-angst and the unspoken darkness that comes with it. The only difference with their third album is a larger budget, a bigger sound and much less cocaine.
Acting as The Black Parade, the five members have adopted new identities. The album's concept is centered mainly on loss and being "another cog in the murder machine," with a side serving of war themes and the same darkness that MCR is famous for. At times, their album comes eerily close to resembling Pink Floyd's "The Wall," both lyrically and instrumentally.
"The End" is the opening track to the tragic affair, which uses much orchestration, piano and big band sound that immediately sets it apart from MCR's previous accomplishments. The track also feels much like "The Wall's" opening track, "In the Flesh," with its voluptuous crescendo.
By the second track "Dead!," the emo-chemists begin to sound familiar again. The song explodes with crunchy, chugging guitars over a thick drum beat. Front man/vampire Gerard Way starts hot-doggin' his newly-found voice now that he has set the blow aside.
Having sharpened their musical sword, "Welcome to the Black Parade" is the first single to represent their new sound. Showing off the orchestration, piano, crisp sound and clean vocals, MCR is stronger and more capable then ever.
"Mama" is a cynical track that pops into action with an offbeat guitar, accompanied by a cantina-styled piano sound, making for a very catchy track. By the second verse Way sounds a bit like Roger Waters during "The Trial" in Pink Floyd's "The Wall."
As the album spins it continues to get better and better. In "Teenagers," Way comically sings about how the teenagers scare the public with their radical actions and how society is out to change them. This is a poppy, sing-along-type of a song that will certainly reach single status on the radio.
While MCR is known for the upbeat, pumping composition of songs, "The Black Parade" includes a few more slow numbers than "Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge."
Using acoustic guitars backed with the orchestration of a big band and Way's boy-like voice, the slow tracks are just as well written and powerful as any other track on the album.
The packing for "The Black Parade" does great justice for the music within. The album comes sleeved in a paper wrapping donning MCR's new logo and the marching skeleton bandleader. The insert opens up to reveal mind-blowing artwork and all the song lyrics with a very large, foldout photo of members of "The Black Parade."
Their fresh efforts are nothing short of their work in "Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge." In fact, it is very possible that "The Black Parade" could surpass the success of the previous album by far.
This album is smarter, stronger and much more accessible to a wider variety of listeners and it certainly will not let down any of My Chemical Romance's cult fans. "The Black Parade" marches into stores this Tuesday.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
