My Chemical Romance - I Brought You My Bullets, You Brought Me Your Love
Released: July 23, 2002 (Eyeball)
Band:
Frank Iero: Guitar
Mikey Way: Bass
Gerard Way: Vocals
Ray Toro: Lead Guitar
Matt Pelissier: Drums
Band Info:
After recording their debut album in 10 days on the independant indie label, Eyeball, MCR knew they had something great on their hands. Almost non-stop touring from the release, and thousands of fans later, they step into the studio to create a topper for this kick-a
ss album. Personally I think the debut album isn't always the best from any band, but in this case I go against my usual ways. This is their masterpiece, if they can come up with something similar but more advanced musically they will have me hooked again. Now let's "drive on to the end with you" and start this gO
d da
mned review!
Review:
Positives
The guitar work, it is strong throughout the album.
The drumming is tight and unpredictable, great seeing as most bands repeat the same drum beats.
The lyrics are highly addictive, not in the poppy sense where some guy sits in a room thinking up the most cliche and rhyming crap immaginable.
Romance:
Starts out with static, then it turns into a classical/spanish riff. The static hum remains throughout the track, and ends the way it started...static. Love the guitar work, it is beautifully played. I wasn't expecting this kind of playing.
Honey, This Mirror Isn't Big Enough For The Two Of Us:
This song is one that I find myself putting on the repeat function for. The guitar is a total draw, the drums roll in with the snare, and the second guitar plays some chords, then it slides and everything jumps in together. The vocals! oh, the vocals are magnificent. Both the way they are sung and the lyrics floored me. The moods change from fast, angry to slow and anxious.
Fits the name perfectly long and complex!
Vampires Will Never Hurt You:
My first impression of this song was: "This is going to be a slow crappy song." Once again MCR you had me guessing, then you showed me the light. After the slide as in the previous song, they bring out some heavy music. The lyrics on this song point to the subject being a vampire, telling you what to do to him if "the sun comes up." The guitar is catchy (not poppy).
Cool lyrics, cool music, period.
Our Lady of Sorrows:
This was the first song I heard of MCR, it is not my favorite but I do love it. The vocals are it gets louder then he eventually screams the last word or two in the line. The chorus is the best part, just find the lyrics for it. The guitar and vocals follow the same sound in the verses and the last verse/outro. You can tell at this point that the bass basically follows the guitar parts.
It makes me happy, despite having Sorrow in the name.
Headfirst For Halos:
The intro is stunning, and Slash-like. I can almost play it, but not with the style and flare that Ray can. After :45 it builds up quickly and then the silence is broken with a yell from Gerard. This is my favorite song on the album. It sounds so happy throughout, but the lyrics are the darkest on the CD: "and I think I'll blow my brains against the ceiling,And as the fragments of my skull begin to fall, Fall on your tongue like pixie dust. Just think happy thoughts, and we'll fly home..." The guitar is great throughout, the drumming is the best on the album, the bass also. This is MCR at their best.
Happy on the outside, dark and serious inside.
Demolition Lovers:
This song is the powerful song, not musically heavy, but emotionally heavy. The lyrics are a tad cliche but what the heck, nothing else on the album is. The vocals make it seem as though he really means it, he sounds tired and desperate. At 1:43 it kicks off getting even better. The guitar is the most noticeable thing other than the vocals. Ray shows his skills on here, as does Gerard and Matt on drums. At one point it sounds as though the song is over, don't be fooled. The best part is about to come up, Matt utilizes the bass and the ride cymbal in conjunction with the snare very well here. The guitars fade back in for the last effort of the album.
6:06 isn't enough.
Negatives
Early Sunsets Over Monroeville:
This song is not up to par with the rest of the album. The vocals sound as though he was forced to sing while crying. The lyrics are cliche throughout most of the song, but some lines are pretty well written. After about 3:05 I can't stand it and skip the rest.
If cliche lyrics and forced anal rape singing are what you like, then here's your ballad.
The bass doesn't come through that well on just about every track.
The part after "I know you don't work here anymore." on the track Cubicles, where they repeat,"Sometimes I think I'll die alone, sometimes I think I'll die alone." It gets old...and fast.
Conclusion/Rating:
This album is a more raw MCR than is shown on their new album, Three Cheers For Sweet Revenge. For fans of the first Used CD and pounding guitar riffs, this is the album for you. If you prefer the new Used CD or the new one from MCR, this may be a shock to you. The guitars are hard and original and the drums are really heavy on the snare. The vocals are presented very well, and lyrics are non-cliche on most all the tracks.
3.5/5 or 7/10
