My Chemical Romance

Related Content

• 7 of Music's Most Beautiful Mustaches to Inspire Your Mustache Movember Growth
  November 10, 2011
• Five Guys That Should Be in Queen Instead of Adam Lambert
  February 10, 2012
• The Ten Best Posthumous Albums
  July 6, 2011
• Matt Johnson of Matt & Kim Talks SB 1070, Fighting Kim, and Getting Naked in Times Square
  September 28, 2011
• Is Eric Nally's Theory on Musicians as Mythical Creatures Valid?
  October 29, 2010

More About

• My Chemical Romance
• Gerard Way
• Liza Minnelli
• Freddie Mercury
• Celebrity News

Like this Story?

Sign up for the Music Newsletter: Keep your thumb on the local music scene with music features, additional online music listings and show picks. We'll also send special ticket offers and music promotions available only to our Music Newsletter subscribers.

Privacy Policy Cancel Continue

Don't be fooled by "Welcome to the Black Parade," the first — and rather lengthy — single off My Chemical Romance's third disc. The entirety of The Black Parade, although obviously ambitious in its influences and concept, doesn't ape Freddie Mercury. In fact, most of the record just sounds like a more grown-up MCR that can be enjoyed by its fans — and its fans' parents. "Mama" is the rousing standout, fully showcasing singer Gerard Way's perfected angsty howl and making surprisingly brilliant use of guest vocalist Liza Minnelli. Many of the record's slower tracks lack the enthusiasm of the single, although moping teenagers will enjoy the album's ballad-heavy edge. But MCR is consistently on point every note of the way. Way's lyrical witticism is particularly strong on "Teenagers," in which he cleverly relates to his entire fan base by yelping about what it's like to be at odds with the world. Sure, it might be a little too early in MCR's career for a high-reaching concept record, but The Black Paradeshoots for the stars and nearly reaches them.