My Chemical Romance

New Jersey hardcore band My Chemical Romance achieved a surprising degree of success with their Goth-tinged, woe-is-me take on punk. Labeled everything from emo and pop-punk to post-hardcore and screamo, My Chemical Romance are one of several bands from the early 2000s that created a potent, commercially viable blend of all the above subgenres. By also adding touches of metal, glam, and other unexpected sounds, the band has managed to keep things fresh and entertaining amidst all the angst and black eyeliner. My Chemical Romance: Gerard Way (vocals); Frank Lero, Ray Toro (guitar); Mikey Way (bass guitar); Bob Bryar (drums). Additional personnel: Cheech Lero, Jamie Muhoberac, Liza Minelli, Rob Cavallo. Recording information: Eldorado Studios, Burbank, California (2006). On this ambitious 2006 outing, My Chemical Romance boldly follows in the footsteps of Green Day, both in working with producer Rob Cavallo and in taking a conceptual route (a la AMERICAN IDIOT). The result is an impressive collection of songs that finds the goth-leaning New Jersey punk-pop group transforming itself into the title's "Black Parade," a darkly clad marching band that relates the woeful tale of "the Patient," as portrayed by frontman Gerard Way (who bleached his hair blond to convey the character's sickness). In addition to bringing--believe it or not--the equally dramatic and eye-liner-loving Liza Minelli on board for a guest appearance, My Chemical Romance proves its theatrical mettle by moving from the melancholy grandeur of "Welcome to the Black Parade," which bears an undeniable Queen influence, to "Cancer," an emotive piano-driven ballad. Lifted by its lush, inventive arrangements and Way's dynamic vocal performances, THE BLACK PARADE effectively stakes its claim as the SGT. PEPPER'S of the brooding Myspace set, and secures My Chemical Romance's shadowy space in rock history.