Okay, what I’m about to say actually fits within my character, especially since I voted these boys’ last album one of the best of the year it came out, but a lot of you may have a whiplash reaction. Don’t. Listen for one second.
The new My Chemical Romance disc, The Black Parade, is really, really good. It’s also what Chinese Democracy wishes it sounded like since lead singer Gerard Way seems to be channeling Axl Rose and Buckcherry’s Josh Todd in equal amounts throughout the album. The band backs him with a weird amalgamation of Queen, Guns N’ Roses, Cheap Trick and, well, more Queen. It’s been said that the band is inscrutable by a certain demographic over a certain age, but I submit they are only inscrutable by folks who have forgotten the confusion and overreaching drama that accompanies the adolescent years. And make no mistake about it, the teenage wasteland is MCR’s target audience. However I think there’s enough honest and compelling emotion in the songs to appeal to just about anyone with an open mind.
No, it’s not emo in the classic sense, but neither is it quite emo in the newer version hijacked from previous punk bands wearing their hearts on the sleeves. MCR is most assuredly a commercial beast by now, but at least the product they’re pushing seems grounded in an actual attempt at connection rather than simply rehashing old tropes in order to exploit the kids that need them most.
Here’s a sample of what teen angst sounds like today, bereft of any concern for the critical mass at large. No, it’s not this generation’s Nirvana, but that makes it no less delicious.
MP3: My Chemical Romance “Teenagers”
MP3: Download them at Hype Machine
Good call. I tried really hard to hate this band, but as a guy who A) survived being a teenager B) doesn’t view rising from the indie scene as a death sentence C) has on more than one occasion participated in poor, drunken re-enactments of the famous Bohemian Rhapsody scene from Wayne’s World, I’ve determined that it can’t be done.
Just because the Hot Topic set digs this band shouldn’t make it a taboo for real fans of real music.
Nice work.
Gimme a break- the lyrics are fucking terrible! I have a copy of this record too and it’s complete studio crap. I’m not a music snob, but this band is really a waste of time. Come on now- especiallyyyyyy “Teenagers”- strike a violent pose?! You’re embarrassing yourself.
I was muttering the other day that all these not-emo bands have more in common with hair metal than any other genre.
You’re right it’s not emo. It’s shit.
The great thing about this post? It already answers the haters.
Like I said, “It’s been said that the band is inscrutable by a certain demographic over a certain age, but I submit they are only inscrutable by folks who have forgotten the confusion and overreaching drama that accompanies the adolescent years. And make no mistake about it, the teenage wasteland is MCR’s target audience.”
Duh.
But hey, it’s totally okay to hate it too!
Are you kidding? Who cares if it’s emo or not? Who cares if the ‘Hot Topic scene’ likes it? I love it! It’s the best c.d. that’s been released for a while, and I’m nearly obsessed with it. I liked MCR’s last c.d. okay, but this is GREAT. It’s definitely not shit. (And the lyrics aren’t terrible. Teenagers is really important in today’s world. If you are intelligent enough to realize what they’re talking about…)
Wow. You know what. Anyone who doesnt like any one of your songs, or think this band is gay, cant except that everything MCR sings has a meaning. Its not emo! OMFG. Like really get over your selves. If you think you have the right to label somoeone, get a life. You can’t label anyone without yourslef getting labeled, how bout whoever calls MCR emo, is a fucking loser, a stupid prep or jock. PREPS NEED TO LEAVE GOOD BANDS ALONE!
ok umm MCR is OK i mean i hate the Black Parade and i definitley agree with some of you about their lyrics, i mean they mean absolutley nothing. But their old stuff man it was deep, but now people think they are all that because they like My Chemical Romance by shopping @ hot topic and pretending to slit their wrists and acting emo, i mean they have no idea what emo is about. They are just trying to show off and bragn god i hate that, but hey i know that there are other people who enjoy listening to MCR and don’t make such a fuss about it..