The end of the road for My Chemical Romance
During the course of their shifting musical styles over the years, this look they had, as shown above, was the most identifiable appearance of My Chemical Romance.
At the pinnacle stage of their twelve years as a band from 2001 to 2013, the members of My Chemical Romance found themselves in the position of being the most popular band in the world at the time their third studio-release ‘The Black Parade’ was released sometime in 2006.
Why so? When you look at their discography now, ‘The Black Parade’ was their biggest ever released album by the band. Not only did the fans of My Chemical Romance praise and enjoy that landmark album from My Chemical Romance. It also gave the New Jersey quintet millions more of new fans in the process.
‘The Black Parade’ was both a critical and commercial success which topped the charts worldwide. That was at the peak of the band’s fame and at the height of their popularity.
My Chemical Romance were as honest as they can come in their lyrics–they had a narrative way of telling a story that, soon enough, some of their songs became anthems that got the attention of the youth from the world over.
It would seem that the guys were determined to be one of the very best only. And, indeed, for a few years, they attained that much sought after level of success–they were included in the short list of elite bands that got to sell out arenas and headline renowned music festivals.
My Chemical Romance meant something… Then, suddenly in the following years, it felt like the band’s name value suddenly plummeted and lost their popularity with the youth!
Was it because of the changing music trends? Was it because their fans weren’t pleased with the creative and artistic direction of their fourth and final studio-release ‘Danger Days: The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys’ ? Or was it simply that the band had run its course? Whatever the reasons may be, one thing is certain, though. My Chemical Romance lasted long enough for them to have had released memorable songs for their fans to remember them by.
*****
Gerard Way led the way
There is no denying the superior level of talent displayed here by the members of My Chemical Romance, especially that of Lead Vocalist Gerard Way’s vocal abilities who got to display a wide range of singing styles. He could sing heart-wrenching ballads with the sound of agony resonating throughout his voice; he then could quickly “switch gears” by singing with as much gusto and enthusiasm when it came to their anthemic songs that got everyone fist-pumping the air; and lastly, he could be mellow with his vocals when it was time for stripped down songs that were merely accompanied by the piano and a simple drum beat.
Indeed, Gerard Way was a very versatile singer. On top of that, he proved time and time again that he was also an excellent songwriter–some of the songs he composed with the band had resonated strongly with numerous kinds of music aficionados coming from different age groups.
My Chemical Romance was anything but a one-dimensional band that you could not box them into a single category–thanks largely to the vision and efforts of their lead vocalist Gerard Way.
*****
‘May Death Never Stop You’
‘May Death Never Stop You’ is a Greatest Hits compilation from My Chemical Romance with a few thrown-in bonuses like the infamous “attic demos” and a previously unreleased track. But when I think of it, this compilation sure does hold a deeper meaning and significance for their most loyal of fans who have supported the band since the very beginning.
A Greatest Hits compilation like this serves as a fitting end to a band that was never afraid to push their limits, music-wise. And even through their shifting musical styles over the years gone, they never lost sight of their goals with their music.
Speaking of their Greatest Hits, I consider to be their most epic of songs their stand-out tracks “The Ghost Of You”, “Welcome to the Black Parade”, and “Famous Last Words” which were all beautifully crafted and delivered, especially in the lyrical department. It was in tracks like the three aforementioned that got me listening to the music of My Chemical Romance.
They certainly made an impression–whether My Chemical Romance was your favorite band or not.
*****
A legacy yet to be decided
My Chemical Romance will always have their most rabid of detractors–even to this day–for reasons that can even be incomprehensible. But hasn’t that always been a telling sign of a great band? That they will always have their share of “haters”?
But through all the debates on what the legacy of My Chemical Romance might be today ever since the band announced that they have called it quits a year ago, My Chemical Romance was and will always be a band that is widely considered as one of the greatest bands to have ever come out in the 21st century. They belong in The Top 10 Bands of anyone’s list to have debuted in the 2000’s.
On a personal note, I just want to share this trivia with my fellow music aficionados. Throughout the duration of writing this article, for some reason I kept hearing the lines to “Famous Last Words” playing in my head. And I haven’t listened to that song in years! Was my memory of the song correct?
I decided to watch the music video of it and a few live performances of it also on YouTube. I was surprised to know that somehow, subconsciously, I had already memorized all the lyrics of “Famous Last Words” and its words were deeply ingrained in my head. I concluded that, maybe, it was because of the Rock period when this song was released and my age at the time.
It does make me reflect and look back at those years gone by. I have to reiterate that this is exactly what I mean when I had said earlier that this band did mean something.
And now I have realized that it was because the music of My Chemical Romance did communicate with us!
