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Post by 88keys on Apr 26, 2015 5:54:06 GMT
Ok after a lot of inner debate, this is my CD of the week!
One of my teenage obsessions was the band My Chemical Romance, and this is their greatest album The Black Parade.
Now, before you judge them, just give the album a listen, ok? I think, as ELO fans, most of us appreciate great melodies and this album has beautiful melodies GALORE! I even think that Jeff Lynne would appreciate some of the songs and production here.
Tracks The End Dead This Is How I Disappear The Sharpest Lives Welcome To The Black Parade I Don't Love You House Of Wolves Cancer Mama Sleep Teenagers Disenchanted Famous Last Words Blood
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Post by Chippa on Apr 26, 2015 15:17:12 GMT
The ex girlfriend was huge into "My Chem"(as she called them). I'll have to give this album another listen, and yes, the band did have a way with a catchy melody.
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Post by Chippa on Apr 26, 2015 20:47:52 GMT
The End – Almost like Dylan meets Pink Floyd’s “In The Flesh?”. The abrupt ending made me think something was glitchy with the video…heh.
Dead – If “Mr. Blue Sky” was a pop-punk song.
This Is How I Disappear- Has a slight early 80’s feel, with some Foo Fighters thrown in for good measure. Love the badass guitar work, here.
The Sharpest Lives – Kind of a techno vibe going on with certain elements of this song. Another anthemic fist pumper.
Welcome To The Black Parade – I think Freddy Mercury would have loved this one! Pure glam rock bombast with gorgeous Beatlesque overtones. Pretty amazing stuff.
I Don't Love You – Has a bit of a Coldplay thing going on. Another great melody, although the vocals are a bit over the top. Great “classic rock” style ballad.
House Of Wolves – Jazzy drumming kicks off this gem. Really manic, almost breathless, feel to this track. More ear candy.
Cancer – Jeez, what an emotional song. Parts of the melody have some Lynne-like qualities, for sure. A really good song, if a bit short.
Mama- A bit of a “borrow” from The Doors’ “Alabama Song”. Pretty clever, actually.
Sleep- There’s that 80’s feel, again. Good opening moments, but then doesn’t do much.
Teenagers- Teenagers scare the living shit out of me, too..for the most part…hah. Some really clever lyrics, with a basic rock & roll feel. Catchy stuff.
Disenchanted- Reminds me of an old Motley Crue-style power ballad. Good lyrics, though. I can see why this band kinda struck a chord with teens who may have felt like they were outsiders.
Famous Last Words- Another anthem. Not bad, but a bit too much like a couple of the other songs on the album.
Blood – Very cute little Beatlesque closing track. Probably could have been on Abbey Road.
Overall, I really liked the majority of this album. “Welcome to the Black Parade” is definitely the standout track, here. Very strong 8/10.
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Post by unomusette on Apr 26, 2015 21:40:18 GMT
Been meaning to listen to this for ages, so thanks for making it compulsory 88keys Off to the south of France tomorrow until Saturday so the review might be a bit late, but it will appear eventually I promise
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Post by jrmugz on Apr 26, 2015 22:24:02 GMT
Totally new band for me, 88. Looking forward to checking them out and aim to have a review by mid-week or so!
Jim
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Post by Deleted on Apr 27, 2015 7:06:20 GMT
I've heard the name for a few years, but never really delved into the music.
The biggest thing I'm taking away from this album is how much it sounds like Alice Cooper, 90's Aerosmith, Styx, Queen, Guns and Roses, and even some ELO.
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Post by queenofthehours on Apr 27, 2015 20:21:59 GMT
I know the band name but I don't think I know the music. Looking forward to finding out more.
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Post by jrmugz on Apr 30, 2015 21:19:18 GMT
OK, here is my review of My Chemical Romance's "The Black Parade" CD 01. "The End" - My immediate impression is that these guys are way too dramatic. 02. "Dead" - A for enthusiasm; still working out the other grades. :-\ 03. "This Is How I Disappear" - Very good and passionate song. Reminds me of the beginning of the first Lord of the Rings movie. 04. "The Sharpest Lives" - Look dumbasses, sex and drugs is not the answer otherwise you still wouldn't be so miserable. That's what the lyrics make me want to say to them. 05. "Welcome To The Black Parade" - No idea what the songs about, but very cool and inspirational! 06. "I Don't Love You" - Great song, just all that drama in the lyrics and singing all the time. Needs a major chill pill. Could see him at the pop machine: Should I get a Coke or a Pepsi, aahhh, I better kill myself from this torture of the decision. Ahhhhhh!!! 07. "House Of Wolves" - Sweet's "Ballroom Blitz" meets The Police. 08. "Cancer" - Authentic take on a dark topic. Pretty good. 09. "Mama" - Sounds like something the Talking Heads would come up with. Pretty good. 10. "Sleep" - Seems like a morbid song about suicide? I always wondered if songs like this encourage suicide, or actually give empthay to those contemplating it to help them not do it? 11. "Teenagers" - Reminds me of some of the Twisted Sister videos with Needlemeyer was his name? 12. "Disenchanted" - Run of the mill song for them, wish it would have stayed acoustic. 13. "Famous Last Words" - Pretty good. 14. "Blood" - Sounds like an Alice Cooper novelty song like "Some Folks" on "Welcome to My Nightmare". Seems like a sick joke, though, to be honest I believe I'm drinking Jesus' actual blood at mass every Sunday, but at least its in the form of wine. Very cool band whose songs would sound much better doing instrumental, IMHO. In fact I enjoyed playing the instrumental versions of some of these as I was reviewing the album on youtube, I Don't Love You" sounded particularly well as an instrumental to me. Star Rating: 4.1 out of 5 Prime Cuts: "Cancer", "Disenchanted", "Famous Last Words", "House of Wolves", "Welcome To The Black Parade" Bottom Line: A little too dramatic for my style, but I have to admit I was never bored, and there is something to be said for singing with a lot of passion. Thanks for the pick 88, always cool to check out a new band! Have you marked down for a couple months from now, and will remind you as it approaches! Jim
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Post by 88keys on May 3, 2015 3:32:44 GMT
I probably should have mentioned that The Black Parade is a concept album, but I guess it doesn't matter lol.
It's interesting to see perspective from people who aren't really fans of the band or album.
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Post by unomusette on May 4, 2015 21:09:11 GMT
Sorry I'm late, I've actually been looking forward to giving this a listen, it's a bit of a classic from what I can make out. Here goes: The End - Great rousing opening and I love the passionate vocals. If it can be oversold it's for me! Cheeky sudden ending. Dead - Immediately it reminds me of I Want You To Want Me by Cheap Trick, this is not a bad thing at all. Superior American pop rock with a great beat to bop to. They do love their surprise finishes, don't they? This Is How I Disappear - Straight into this without a chance to get your breath back, this is my kind of album More of a straightforward rocker than Dead but still satisfyingly shouty and raucous. The Sharpest Lives - Plenty of power here, liking the choir effect backing vocals somewhere in the middle. Nothing outstanding compared to what's gone before but OK by me. Welcome To The Black Parade - Builds up nicely with lots of layers. I can imagine all the fists in the air at gigs. I'm a sucker for a song that starts off slowly and speeds up so this is a winner. Only just sneaks inside the "goes on for too long" line though. I Don't Love You - Plods along a bit, not one of the best for me. House Of Wolves - Back to bopping speed, can't help but enjoy this one. Again it reminds me of Cheap Trick, I think it's the cheery rhythm. Cancer - Serious subject, sadly one that young people seem to be dealing with more and more often these days. Beatles/ELO sound makes it even more moving. Mama - Quirky little track as it kicks off, then the European folk sound morphs into their more usual guitar blare,then back again. Interesting. Like a tame version of System of a Down. Sleep - Putting their heart and soul into it but it doesn't stand out for me. I do like the creepy tannoy vocals here and there though. Teenagers - Teen anthem! Infectious classic rock type tune, I can imagine legions of bolshy fourteen-year olds howling along and feeling like they're grown up. Bless. We've all done that sort of thing. Disenchanted - Another also-ran for me. First one to go on too long as well. Famous Last Words - Nodding along to this one, nice strings and overblown crescendos. Ah! The return of the sudden ending! Just in time. Blood - Chirpy Cockney outro, I like a band that isn't too up itself to do a jokey track like this. Puts me in mind of My Marge from Message From The Country Having only heard of My Chemical Romance from afar I had the impression they were very gloomy and emo, but actually they're pretty lively and loud. It's the speedier songs that appeal most to me but I can see why they're so popular with youngsters who have more advanced muscial tastes than the usual chart pap. If I had kids who were into this I'd be pretty chuffed. Thanks for giving me the push to listen, 88keys, I'd give it a solid 8 out of 10.
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Post by 88keys on May 4, 2015 23:17:38 GMT
That's awesome!! I'm glad you liked it, for the most part.
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Post by queenofthehours on May 22, 2015 15:31:15 GMT
1. The End – At the opening I thought this song would sound different but then the acoustic guitar started. I’m not keen on the singing but I like the melody. Then the drums start and then the piano starts! Does this song have a bit of everything?
2. Dead – Better. Nice and bouncy even if I can’t hear the words. Is it strange I’m hearing ‘Mr Blue Sky-ness’? Another song with bits of everything – brass? Is that a trumpet in there? The drumming reminds me a little of the Rocky Horror soundtrack.
3. This Is How I Disappear – Nice drumming. The song keeps up the momentum. Very loud.
4. The Sharpest Lives – Not my favourite track but at least it keeps up the momentum of the album.
5. Welcome To The Black Parade – Again great drums. Reminds me a little of punk. Is this punk? Or metal?
6. Don't Love You – Reminded me a little of Snow Patrol. Very nice. 7. House Of Wolves – More interesting drums.
8. Cancer – Nice piano. Reminds me of a song from a musical for some reason. I don’t know if this is a good thing. And yet..it reminds me again of ELO!
9. Mama - Jaunty
10. Sleep – Again reminds me of Snow Patrol. Not a bad tune.
11. Teenagers – Guitar reminds me of early 70s. Does this band wear a lot of make-up? I’m hearing glam here. T Rex.
12. Disenchanted – Some nice acoustic guitar here. More Snow Patrolly than ever!
13 Famous Last Words – Another good track.
14. Blood - Jaunty
I enjoyed this album more than I expected to and it sounded less heavy than I expected it too. I never thought I'd hear some ELO in it!
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