Based in New Jersey, My Chemical Romance is an alternative rock band that has been compared to Thursday , to a lesser degree, and Cursive,but those arent the only influential ones; fans have made connections which include the Smiths, the Cure, and the Misfits . Lead vocalist, Gerard Way has even stated that Iron Maiden, the popular british metal group was a large influence into the style of the band.
My Chemical Romance seems to teeter on a thin line, on each side there are punk, metal, pop, indie, and rock trying to get their hands on this awesome band. The band is situated in between all of the main rock genres, an they play it off damn well. Their albums feature short, pop melodies(such as Cubicles or Give em Hell Kid), but still put in dramatic,power songs (such as "VampiresWill Never Hurt You") . Each song presents an intriguing message and sound. Im personally not one to purchase an album, but MCR albums are no doubt a good deal. The songs are all individually unique and full of a new energy that can be compared to setting off an A-bomb inside of a shoe box. My Chemical Romance is all-in-all, a band seething with potential, and charisma. They have started a revolution in the music industry, a super genre if you will, and that super genre, my freinds, is called My Chemical Romance.
MCR came out of the gates in an abrupt start. The actual band members were merely high school aquaintences that occasionally hung out. no one had even thought of making a band, they were scattered all over new england just trying to make a living. Gerard Way, who at the time was drawing comucs in his mother's basement, gave Matt Pelissier a call. One thing lead to another and they wrote the song "Skylines And Turnstiles", (which is on this album) and they thought it came out nicely. Soon after, they brought Ray Toro into the picture and spent the next several months brainstorming and trying different things out. Mike way(Gerard's brother) liked what he saw and wanted in. He was to play bass even though he had little past experience but learned to play well practically overnight. This was almost a catalyst, things started speeding up and before they knew it, they were recording this very album with Eyeball Records, they also recruited Frank Iero to fill out their sound. Somehow, they managed to write and record all of the songs in a two week span.
The album I Brought You My Bullets, You Brought Me Your Love was released in July of 2003 and it was an instant success. The band was awestruck by their popularity and set off on a year long voyage in their van to tour with the big bands of the time. MCR's sound appealed to nearly evryone, and their popularity sky-rocketed. My Chemical Romance is a band that wants to be listened to, and you better or their music will eventually grab you by the throat and they will not be ignored.
My Chemical Romance is:
Gerard Way-Vocals
Ray Toro-Guitar
Mikey Way-Bass
Frank Iero-Guitar
Matt Pelissier-Drums*
Romance (1:02)
Although Romance isnt a MCR original, it was clever to use it as the intro. Romance is actually an old guitar diddy, the only differences to the original is that it has some radio static in the background. Still a nice little song though, but i cant really give it a rating. ?/?
Honey, This Mirror Isnt Big Enough For The Both Of Us (3:51)
This song starts out with with Frank and Ray exchanging some great riffs, and great drumwork which all last throughout the song. Gerard picks a perfect clash of anger and depression in his vocals intertwined with the instrumentals, this song just works dandy. It certainly wakes you up after Romance. 4/5
Vampires Will Never Hurt You (5:25)
Even some of the reviewers didnt know this. The song is not about VAMPIRES! The slow drum beats at the beginning followed with smooth bass and guitar is certainly not a give away to the songs arrangement. The chorus really makes you feel like your listening to a vampire caught at dawn, but like i said, the song has nothing to do with Dracula. The lyrics point to that, which fascinates me that they had such clever wordplay in this song, not to mention Gerard goes from lullaby to insane asylum-worthy vocals. Basically, it's all about lost love and such. VWNHY is a definite headturner, and a classic. These silk chords and drum beats lead you into a chaos of pounding drums, and screaming guitars. 5/5
Drowning Lessons (4:18)
Way more poppier then the first songs, Drowning lessons is an acceptable song, but cant compete with its predecessors. It has poppy guitars in higher then normal octaves with the same melody mostly the whole song. The drums are pretty cliche sounding, and the vocals should have a wider range, but the lyrics are cleverly arranged, the entire song is real great, but it was a ba decision to have it after two awesome songs. 3.5/5
Our Lady Of Sorrows (2:05)
A very impressive song for its length, hardcore guitar riffs and impeccable drums that just push everything else. Fast paced instrumentals and vocals keep make this song a stand out track, it just sounds different. The melancholy words in Drowning Lessons are more then made-up for in this piece in every way, in that scream your head off kinda way. Sweet headbanging music. 4/5
Headfirst For halos (3:28)
Sit down kids, this song is about suicide! no really it sounds happy and fresh, but the moral is just dont kill yourselves kids. Marilyn Manson must be fuming.The first fourth of this song starts out with some great sounding drums and guitar, the kind of music you bring home to mom. But really the guitar sounds power ballad, and the drums help out a lot. 50 seconds into the song your met with a professional scream and those clean shaved sounds you once knew have ceased to exist. now you've got a whole new sound, a rather bada$$, thumping frenzy of clapping, and pop. So far so good. 4/5
Skylines and Turnstiles (3:28)
This song sticks out like a sore thumb to me. the song sounds awkward, and Gerard doesnt sound like himself, he sounds more like a boy in the midst of major puberty problems. The pop-punkyness is decent and the song is met with okay bass and guitar, with better drums. It just didnt satisfy me, stand out song is not the term for this song, 3/5
Early Sunsets Over Monroeville (5:05)
I dont know why not many people like this song. It has acoustic and electric parts, and the vocals make for a great story, with a lengthy intro. They really sound emotional, like a plead. Interesting fact, but this song is base on the original Dawn of the Dead movie, which is also very good. Its not obvious, but yes, this animated song is a spin-off of a zombie flick. I have to say its a song you might not enjoythe first time, but it has all the pieces of a epic song, and certainly adds a variety in the song content. 3.5/5
This Is The Best Day Ever (2:12)
This could be... better? This little rock diddy is the low point of this album, nothing about it is above decent, and sadly, as you could probably notice, this album slowly chugs downhill.Best Day Ever my a$$... 2/5
Cubicles (3:48)
Odd thing to sing about, work and love? It doesnt matter, this song is filled with what the last few songs lacked, juice. Yes juice, you know, juice. Anyway, the pounding of the drums slides into high hats and a collage of rhythms. Gerard talks about dying alone, poor boy, that doesnt mean his voice is affected the least bit. real powerhouse work with the guitar, but the bass is practically unheard of, i mean at an abnormal level of course. the song doesnt really have the transitions we heard at the beginning of the album, but it does keep a steady flow, and its just melts in your mouth. 4.25/5
Demolition Lovers (6:06)
Longest song on the album, and quite the ending too. It slowly changes its pace, volume, and general direction. its comparible to Vampires Will Never Hurt You, except fot it has its spurts of pop rhythm, possibly punk.Once again the drums are electrifying and push the song along with screaming choruses. Its a headbutt of sweet, pleasant dreams, to what i call an adrenaline rush of supreme sound. The song includes an immaculate guitar solo that lasts just long enough for the rest of the band to pull out all the stops for the grand finale. Ray has a hand in the vocals, towards the latter of the song, and by golly i couldnt have asked for a better ending song. 4.5/5
Pros
+jamming vocals
+clever, meaningful lyrics
+the actual arrangement and beats of the music is just so different and animated, your blood is replaced by the pulsing rhythm of the music
+the drums on this album are like whoa
Cons
- people that arent fans of the band might not enjoy the lesser songs on the album.
- its not really the band's fault, but Skylines and Turnstiles sounds weird, not the song but the recording process.
- the songs should have been in a different order, the track listing makes the songs less enjoyable.
Now we reach the conclusion of this groundbreaking album. It has its highs ,with its share of lows. I have to give this album an 85%, but as a debut album that was partially recorded in a basement, it would most definitely be a 99% in my book. I hope you enjoyed my review as it was my first of hopefully many.
*the MCR line-up has recently changed, i dont know who or what was changed, but ill get that info to you soon. I heard somewhere that the new drum guy is named Bob. (Im serious)
