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Review Summary: MCR fans be hesitant, this album might be alien to you Gerard Way, the frontman of a generation of screaming emo teens. After the split of MCR, said teens rolled around in tears, having lost the light that guided them through the terrors and hardships of high school. But then, Gerard announced his solo album, there was hope. But alas, what we got was nothing like MCR in the slightest. Gerard Way has come out of the shadows with a catchy, experimental, and largely enjoyable solo album.
Hesitant Alien, as noted before, is nothing like MCR. Gerard has taken a very controversial britpop route, throwing out screaming guitars for chunky synths and heavy distortion. If anything, Hesitant Alien sounds more like a Bowie album than anything. Whilst this may let hardcore MCR fans down, the album is far from awful. Yes, there are some low points on the album, but these are few and far between. Of course we have the easy listening radio singles, No Shows and Action Cat, and then we have the more diverse britpop tracks, such as Zero Zero or Bureau.
The truly outstanding songs on the album, are not the singles, but rather the tracks inbetween. Zero Zero is by far a highlight of the album. It has strong guitar distortion, and a drum beat that it is almost impossible not to headbang to. Mr Ways vocal work on Zero Zero is something to behold, being somewhat reminiscent of the vocals on Bowies Jean Genie. No Shows, whilst being one of the more cliched songs, is still a pleasure to listen to. With Gerards soothing distorted voice, medium beat and bizarre lyrics, No Shows is no doubt going to be the track fans will remember from the album.
How It's Going To Be and Bureau are the two low points of the album. Bureau lacks originality, and is in general a boring track to listen to. The telephone buzzing at the end of the track rather than being inventive, is annoying. How It's Going To Be is a terribly cliched indie pop song, that could easily have been written by the likes of The Pierces.
All in all, Hesitant Alien is a great album. It has memorable tracks, and breaks away from MCR's sound. MCR fans should definitely check it out, but should be wary that this album sounds more like Bowie than My Chem. Go into it with an open mind. It will still be worth it to hear Gerards beautiful voice once more. As for everyone else, same thing. Check out Hesitant Alien, you won't be disappointed!
SIDE NOTE: I highly recommend this album in the vinyl format. It gives it so much more character, and really adds to the whole 80's vibe of the album. Trust me, I have it on vinyl, and it sounds fantastic
| other reviews of this album |
Nathaniel (3.5)
The bastard child of Morrisey, Bowie, Pulp, and The Smiths is actually...good?...
DyingAtheist (4)
Much to the chagrin of most MCR fans, Gerard Way has grown up - and crafted a fantastic album to boo...
YosemiteHam (4)
Does anyone have the guts to shut me up?...
Futures (4.5)
A surprising release from an unlikely character....
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"MCR fans will probably struggle to get anything out of this, but for anyone else, a highly recommended listen" - might be honest, but not the best way to end this... you're assuming people that tend to enjoy MCR will find this to be way over their head, but consider who might read this - MCR fans, probably. Consider how many longtime MCR that were practically crying over their break up... odds are they're gonna want to check this out, so to tell them 'don't bother' in a mildly insulting way isn't the smartest way to conclude this. Given your 3.5 rating, it would make sense to invite old fans to embrace his new direction, not push them away
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I know, but it's flawed. He's saying "it is drastically different than MCR", sure, but at the same time assuming that it's not worth their time given that fact, which is kinda dumb.
| | | Album Rating: 5.0
I see what Johnny means, I'll edit it. I'm not trying to push MCR fans away, I'm just trying to make it clear that this album is drastically different to anything MCR has done
| | | Album Rating: 5.0
Edited, hopefully I worded it better this time :P
| | | Album Rating: 4.5
well i think that goes without saying
| | | Album Rating: 4.0
Huge improvement over your previous reviews-great job! There are a few grammatically awkward statements here and there, but overall it flows very well. Pos
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summary should have a semicolon
| | | Album Rating: 4.0
good review. Drugstore Perfume is so good
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
Gerard Way, the frontman of a generation of screaming emo teens
neg
| | | Album Rating: 5.0
Thankyou for the feedback! trackbytrack, that was meant to be a joke, I am one of those screaming emo teens
| | | Album Rating: 3.6
While 2 or 3 tracks on 'Hesitant Alien' have a Black Parade'ish feel, the debut solo LP from former My Chemical Romance front-man Gerard Way is a definite departure from his past work. Influences abound on this brave & rather creative album, whose cover art is unabashedly an homage to David Bowie. 90s alternative, post-punk, britpop, glam & even shoegaze pops up on this guitar-driven record, much of it through fuzzy distortion courtesy of producer Doug McKean. The pleasing thing is that most of its 11 tracks are deceptively catchy & melodic, if not always memorable. Recommended Tracks: Brother, Action Cat, Maya the Psychic & Millions.
| | | Album Rating: 4.0
Not to be too nitpicky, but "Gerard Way, the frontman of a generation of screaming emo teens" should be "Gerard Way: the frontman of a generation of screaming emo teens"
I know that's not a huge gripe, but it is mainly because it's killing my OCD.
This album is a lot better than I thought it would be.
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From a grammatical standpoint, no, this review, is, not well, written.
| | | Album Rating: 3.0
Awkward review honestly, but I'm having a bit of a hard time getting into this more. No idea why, I think the production style's rubbing me the wrong way.
| | | Album Rating: 4.0 | Sound Off
Bonus track, Television All The Time, is probably my favorite of all of these. I really can't wait to hear a follow up, this album holds up even better with time.
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sounds like fun.
| | | Album Rating: 4.0 | Sound Off
Action Cat is the jam.
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