The Black Parade [PA] by My Chemical Romance (CD, Dec-2007, Reprise)

This quality recording is the finest piece of work to come out by any artist in nearly 35 years. Conceptually, My Chemical Romance’s “The Black Parade” is heavily influenced by the revered “St. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band”, arguably the greatest rock album of all time, from the album cover and story line to the concept and quality of the song structures. This is not to say that the songs here replicate those of the former, but rather that the concept of change is a universal one, which MCR has grasped effortlessly.

The Beatles became St. Pepper’s Band in order to put to rest the notion of conforming to standards and expectations. The album cover, while eye popping, bright and colorful, ironically is stationed at graveside, burying what was the notion of the Beatles. Here, MCR has become the Black Parade with the Band in full parade gear, replicating the Beatles. While the cover is far more somber than it’s predecessor, it is riotously joyful in the depicted pandemonium of life’s march to the grave, the ultimate transcendence.

The comparison does not end here though. The Beatles musical masterpiece is a concept album that is also rock's ultimate declaration of change. Here MCR also considers change; the process of death and the inevitability of dying. The music is clearly influenced by the likes of Queen and Pink Floyd, but the inspired use of Bowie’s “Five Years” on the opening song warns that the situation is terminal. Further, the line “here’s my resignation, I’ll serve it in drag” could easily reference the earliest of Bowie’s album covers.

The way the opening song “The End” seamlessly runs directly into “The Dead” is pure Abbey Road. Welcome To the Black Parade is an amalgam of St. Peppers Lonely Heart’s Club Band and “A Day in the Life”. A “Brian May” guitar runs throughout, and the Dark Side of the Moon is clearly present as well. To truly enjoy your first listen to the album requires a reading of the haunting lyrics to grasp the full impact of this tremendous effort. A repeated listening will take place in your head as the music and lyrics will not dislodge once experienced. This is truly one of the greatest albums of all time. What they will do to follow this up, one but can imagine.

This CD ROCKS!!!! MCR has a great heavy metal sound, classic dark lyrics and even some beautiful ballads. The lead singer has a fabulous voice and the rest of the band is simply great. My daughter fell in love with them so when I found the CD so inexpensively at Christmas time, I jumped on it!!! My two favorite songs are I Don't Love YOU (a sensual rocking ballad) and Welcome to the Black Parade--a good head banger style jam!!! I love this CD and will eventually get it pried loose from my girls hands loong enough to listen to it for a few weeks at a time!!!!! LOL

The EBay seller was simply fantastic. I came down with pneumonia immediately after Christmas and had to be hospitalized. I had no computer access. This seller held this CD for me even tho' he could have resold for lack of payment. I paid as soon as I could get out of the Hospital and explained why I was late. He was awesomely nice and understanding. You don't find people like that very often anymore.

All I can really add is that "The Black Parade" is a fantastic vidoe that will bring a smile to your face!!! It is uberly COOL !!!!!!!!!!!

I can't stop listening to this CD. By now, everyone's probably heard "Welcome to the Black Parade", but that is only the beginning. "Dead!" "This is How I Disappear" "The Sharpest Lives" "I Don't Love You" "Mama" or "Teenagers" could be the next single. Not to say that any of the other songs on the CD aren't good, because there isn't a weak song at all. Pick up this CD, you will not regret it.

Love the old familiar songs, welcome to the black parade, teenagers, and famous last words. Hope to learn the others as well. Decided to buy this cd because I had first seen the music video for welcome to the black parade a few years ago and always wanted it just never thought to get it and when I started shoping around on ebay for cds I decided why not

This album is quite different compared to their previous albums, however, there is still that noticeably pleasant My Chem vibe that lies within the music and lyrics. The melodies and tunes of the songs are quite unique compared to any other rock songs (or songs that bands claim to be rock songs) one would hear on the radio. It's very memorable and I believe that anyone who likes or finds the rock genre amusing should purchase or at least listen to the album.