You Heard Me Right

It’s finally here. My Chemical Romance’s fourth studio album, Danger Days: The True Lives Of The Fabulous Killjoys (henceforth known at Danger, ‘cause I sure don’t feel like typing out all that). And what an album it is. Let it be noted that the album doesn’t officially come out in America (or the rest of Europe for that matter) until the 22nd, but it was released today in Australia, Germany, and Ireland. I just so happen to have obtained a copy, and I’ve given it a couple listens.

Let’s start off with what other people are saying. Alternative Press gave it a 4/5, Kerrang! gave it a shocking 5/5, Rocksound gave it an 8/10, and SPIN rated it at 7/10. Sounds great, right? Well it is. This is most certainly not the My Chemical Romance that you grew up with. In fact, they themselves have grown up. Four years after their last album, the smash hit The Black Parade, they’ve come back stronger than ever and with many new tricks up their sleeves. Before I get to a song-by-song review, let’s get an idea of what the album is about. Because this album, much like their previous, has a storyline.

Basically, this album is about the “Fabulous Killjoys”, by the names of Party Poison (aka Gerard Way), Jet Star (Ray Toro), Fun Ghoul (Frank Iero), and Kobra Kid (Mikey Way). The story is narrated by DJ Dr Death Defying, and he guides the Killjoys on their outlaw quest of fighting the baddies, an evil corporation called Better Living Industries, and the corperation’s leader, Korse. This all takes place in the year 2019. BL/ind. (the short name for Better Living) has had a website launched earlier this month here, where you can learn more about them and buy some nice looking merch. So a much better story than TBP, right?

We start off the album with an intro courtesy of Dr Death Defying, and then rush into the first real track, Na Na Na (Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na). That’s 12 Na’s altogether. Well, obviously they didn’t have to think too hard about the name. But the song surprises and turns out to be very good. It has a fast paced feel like the majority of the album, and indeed the rest of their stuff, but has more of an old school MCR feel than the rest of the album. The lyrics are a bit nonsensical, but they revisit some old subjects (what on earth is with their fascination with the Kennedy family?). All in all, this is a great first single, and a very catchy track. 

Up next is Bulletproof Heart. Classic MCR name, right? It starts with a faded vocal track of Gerard belting out an emotion laced love ballad. And that’s pretty much the gist of the song. It breaks into a punk guitar riff and then softens up into My Chem’s idea of a love ballad, which I quite like. A bit unlike any of their older stuff, which I quite like. Gerard mentions a girl named Jenny, and then a boy named Johnny in the song, which I find kinda interesting. The lyrics “Gravity don’t mean too much to me” are brilliant, I think. One of Toro’s great guitar solos is present in this song, energetic as ever. Another solid song, if not quite as good as Na Na Na.

SING is number three, which has been out for a while actually. It starts a bit the same as Bulletproof Heart, with similar vocal effects. It builds up to a climax, and then turns into an inspirational song, which is definitely new water for the band. The drum track, provided by John Miceli (due to the departure of Bob Bryar), is very catchy, as are many off the beats in this album. I’ll get into some more of those later though. A bit of a generic track, straying far from My Chem’s usual bag of tricks, but enjoyable none the less.

The album takes a left turn with Planetary (GO!). A dance song? I believe so. A synth-laced and drum machine-backed track is what this is. While listening to this song I honestly had the urge to dance, which is definitely saying something. Gerard chants/belts out brilliant verse after verse, then lightens up for the chorus and delivers a poppy club-ready track. I really can’t say enough good about this song, this is by far my personal favorite MCR track ever, besides possibly Demolition Lovers off of their first album, for personal reasons. Possibly the best song off the album here, and if you don’t get the whole thing, at least pick this one up.

What’s that? More synth? I’m starting to fall in love with this band all over again. The Only Hope For Me Is You starts off with a really spacy synth track, then a distorted bass with Gerard’s lonely voice behind. The song builds up, adds some guitar, and then turns into another rock ballad! I’m loving this. Gerard’s vocals on this song are brilliant, dead perfect. The guitar duo, Toro and Iero, delivered another amazing performance here. It should be noted that this track was released early also - it’s actually their second single. Not their strongest track, but still very good.

Jet-Star And The Kobra Kid/Traffic Report is next, which is a funny little news segment/traffic report from our guide, the DJ himself. DJ Dr Death Defying is actually voiced by Steve, Righ?, who is the guitarist of the band Mindless Self Indulgence (coincidentally, MSI’s bassist, LynZ, is also Gerard Way’s wife)

That little interlude quickly shifts into Party Poison, which starts with the voice of a Japanese woman saying…something in Japanese, to the backing track of MCR jamming along. After she shuts up, they jump into one of their fast paces punk riffs, and Gerard belts out some attention-grabbing lyrics. Here we go, the old MCR hasn’t completely died. They still have that special something that’s made millions of fans fall in love with them over the years. Gerard commands us to party for possibly the third song so far in the album - do I sense a theme? And yes! More Japanese woman talking. I do hope someone figures out what the hell she’s saying. A great throwback track.

Save Yourself, I’ll Hold Them Back. The last of the four tracks that were released pre-album. And possibly the weakest. Starting off with more “na na”, which I have to admit, is getting a bit old. Gee’s vocal track is a bit catchy in this song, which redeems it a bit. “We can live forever if you’ve got the time” is a lyric that sticks with me. It does seem he has a stuttering problem with this song…maybe he’s taking after Lady Gaga? The first song off of the album I’m not completely in love with.

S/C/A/R/E/C/R/O/W. Interesting name, but does the song live up to the…interestingness? It’s a very mellow song, for sure. It has a dreamy, stoned feel, like you’re listening through a haze. I wasn’t crazy about it at first, but it’s starting to grow on me. We get another solo, which have been surprisingly lacking in this album. There’s not much else to say about this track, besides the fact that I’m not terribly crazy about it.

The 11th track is entitled Summertime. It starts off with a nice little guitar riff that sounds like it should be in a Katy Perry song, honestly. Gerard starts off with his sad little voice, sounding like he’s about to cry. The song sounds a bit remorseful, or maybe nostalgic. Another song I don’t care much for, it seems the album starts going downhill after about track 8 or 9. I’m sure these tracks will grow on me though, seeing as I hated the majority of TBP when it was released. Nothing really special here, though.

DESTROYA. Yeah, we’re getting real elaborate with out song naming now, aren’t we? We have a nice tribal drum beat to start us off here, followed by some interesting guitar and mic checking. Gerard starts belting out some angry-sounding lyrics as per the norm, and it seems the album is picking back up. I knew they couldn’t go an album without making a song about religion, though. It may not be the main point here, but it’s definitely an element. A very catchy song, though.

Next on the lineup is The Kids From Yesterday, the longest track on the album (clocking in at a not so impressive 5:25). We’re greeted with a mystical synthy intro and soothing “oooo ooo” vocals. As Gerard begins singing we still have a droning synth bass in the background, which I quite like. The song has a reminiscent feel, as you can probably guess from the title. It’s a bit of a slow song, despite full use of all of the instruments at their disposal. The song does seem a bit generic, though. The song ends with a bassy outro that fades into nothingness…until…

Goodnite, Dr Death. Our faithful guide, the DJ himself is bidding farewell in this short humorous track. No music, just Doc Death “signing off”. After he does so, the Star Spangled Banner begins to play (like it used to when the TV went off the air in our parents’ day). But of course, the boys have to cut it short and get back to business.

Vampire Money is the final track of the album. Gee has a quick chat with his boys to a nice beat, and they jump into an up-front, rude, and frankly kick-ass rock n’ roll jig. The opening lyircs, “3, 2, 1, we came to fuck!” pretty much summarize the track. Lot’s of clapping, counting, and crazy-fun guitar work. One of the strongest tracks on the album, I can see the boys having so much fun with this song live. The song, and also the album, end with the sounds of guitars buzzing as their wielders put their weapons to rest.

SUMMARY:

My Chem had a  lot to live up to, considering the massive success of The Black Parade. Did they live up to it? I think so. I think they blew everything they’ve done out of the water. I think this might definitely be album of the year, in my book at least. And that’s the only book that matters. I really want to give this album a 10/10, but I can’t bring myself to it. There are a couple tracks on here that just don’t do it for me. But there are so many amazing songs on this, that they more than make up for the others shortcomings.

FINAL VERDICT: 9/10