This month sees the long awaited return of My Chemical Romance to the UK with a string of reunion concerts. To prepare for this emotion revival, I’ve taken a stroll down emo memory lane to rank the four MCR studio albums.
4. I Brought You My Bullets, You Brought Me Your Love
In no way is this a bad album, but for me it is the least accessible. A little more rough than ready, the album sounds like a band that are on the journey to finding their own sound.
Best song: Early Sunsets over Monroeville
3. Danger Days: The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys
Danger Days is a comic strip in music form, telling the story of the Fabulous Killjoys in a post-apocalyptic setting. Few modern bands do concept albums as well as MCR, and this one is full of catchy bops. However, the sound is so far removed from the previous albums, it may have left some long-time fans feeling a little disconnected
Best Song: Save Yourself, I’ll Hold Them Back
2. The Black Parade
The Black Parade for many will be the defining My Chemical Romance album and is the real breakthrough from alternative to the mainstream. It is true to say there is not a bad song on the album, and each track flows into the next like a rock opera, telling the story of “the patient” who reflects on life, death and the afterlife. It’s dark, but genius and genre defining.
Best song: Famous Last Words
1. Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge
Three cheers is the album that led me to become the MCR fan I am today. I first came across the song Helena at a friend’s house, before quickly discovering I’m Not Okay. The album showcases the more energetic and punky side of emo with some seriously clever guitar work from Ray Toro and Frank Iero. Of the four studio albums, this is the one that has really stood the test of time for me and is still enjoyable listen after listen.
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