My Chemical Romance
“The Black Parade”
Reprise

New Jersey darlings My Chemical Romance are back with their third record, a totally over-the-top rock masterpiece. Old school fans are going to bitch and whine that the band has completely absolved itself from the screamo sound that made them famous. However, it’s hard to argue that the band hasn’t been begging for this type of production since the closing notes of their five and a half minute opus, “Vampires,” back in 2002.

The band pours the high-octane fuel on the flames with traditional MCR rockers like “This Is How I Disappear” and “House of Wolves.” Singer Gerard Way’s non-traditional punk voice helps separate him from the pack. He’s got Jack White’s snarl with a bit of Billy Corgan’s scream.

Things get a little loopy with tracks like “Dead,” which have a slight punk rock cabaret feel, and “Cancer,” a full on piano ballad that’s just raw enough to not sound like an Evanescence tune. A lot of people are calling this a punk opera in the vein of “American Idiot,” but unlike Green Day’s call to arms, “The Black Parade” has a cohesive flow that runs through every song. Is there a theme? Yeah, I guess darkness is a theme, but has MCR ever been bright and cheery?

Doesn’t Rock l Kinda Rocks l Rocks l Really Rocks