Review Summary: A great record with a long shelf life.
My Chemical Romance. A band so divisive in the world of rock music. Sure, call them “Emo”, call them “whiney”, call them “A great band”, call them “Queen wannabes”. But whatever you call them, said there is no denying the talent and dedication for their craft. Looking to top the success of their previous album, Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge, The Black Parade was looking to be the next “rock opera” after Green Day’s American Idiot. What was eventually produced is in my honest opinion one of the best records of the 2000s.
Hate me all you want, but ever single track on this album has something different to offer. As soon as it starts, you are hooked. Opening track “The End” establishes the mood and everything that is to come with its opening lyric ‘Come one, come all to this tragic affair…’
The next few tracks are fast and heavy, and are reminiscent of their previous music. Mid-album epic “Welcome to the Black Parade” became one of the breakout singles of 2006 and the band’s signature song.
For how fast and punk-rock oriented the first half of this record is, the second half switches things up dramatically, with piano-and-acoustic driven power ballads populating it. Tracks such as “Disenchanted”, “Cancer”, and “I Don’t Love You” show a tender and emotional side, while musically heavier ones like “Sleep” and the bizarre “Mama” keep the variety going.
As the record closes, you are treated to an arena-rock anthem in “Famous Last Words”, one of the standout tracks and best songs in the band’s twelve-year catalogue.
With rarely any dull moments and the constant ability to surprise you with different styles, The Black Parade stands out among a series of lackluster concept albums in the mid-2000s. The replay value is very high, with me sometimes still going back to experience gems like “Disenchanted” and “Famous Last Words” once gain.
Again, hate me for liking them, but the truth is that I’m not ashamed to admit my preferences.
