Dyelirium

Following one of the most interesting and interactive album promotions I’ve ever seen, My Chemical Romance released its fourth studio album Danger Days: The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys on 11/21/2010. Interestingly, the band had leaked what seemed like half the tracks on the album prior to its release. They even promoted an album listening party that was streamed from their website, hosted by the album’s fictional and wildly popular quasi-narrator/pirate radio DJ Dr. Death Defying days before the release. Did it quench the fans’ insatiable thirst for the physical album? Not at all. It only made them want it even more –myself included.

Initially, I was so totally overwhelmed by promotion and jazzed about getting the CD that I saw it all through the sweet cotton candy fog of a fangirl’s eyes. It’s awesome! The entire thing is just…awesome!! This was all I could say at first. I decided that I needed to give it some time, listen to all the tracks thoroughly and let the fever settle down just a little bit before I could really give an honest opinion on MCR’s most recent effort.

It has been over a week, and the MCR promotion train has gone off the rails into the land of blissful absurdity. Oh, and my opinion hasn’t changed all that much. It is probably the best record the band has ever made. The quality of their musicianship and creativity is at an all-time high. There is no set course with regard to the musical feel of the album. There are so many different layers of sound in it that it’s impossible to name all of the influences that drove the process. It’s not straight-up rock. There’s a lot of synth, but it’s not a 80’s retro thing. It’s heavy in spots, but it’s not really metal-ish. It’s definitely not your garden variety alternative rock, and it’s not really pure pop/dance. It’s a little bit of all of those rolled into one. This band may have very well finally created its own true sound – power pop for the masses.

There were many reports where the band advised they were chasing the art. Based on the length of time it took, maybe they just needed to stop, take a rest and let the art find them. The muse just wasn’t going to show up on command. She took her sweet-ass time, and Danger Days is proof that she was well worth waiting for.

As I said before, I needed some time to just chill and get over the initial spaz attack I had when I first listened to the record; however, I also wanted to see if I needed to let a couple of the new songs grow on me. They did – some more than others, but on the whole, Danger Days is one ginormous piece of ear candy – a party in a jewel case, if you will. Strap yourself in for one helluva ride. Dr. Death Defying and the Killjoy agents (Party Poison, Jet Star, Fun Ghoul & Kobra Kid) will take you on a trip to California – year 2019 with tunes that will make you want to rock, dance, get happy, get sad and possibly want to break something in no particular order.

Aside from the music, there are two highly entertaining bits on Danger Days. One is the character of Dr. Death Defying, voiced by guitarist Steve (,Righ?) Montano of Mindless Self Indulgence fame.  He speaks like a man possessed by the spirit of Wolfman Jack with a splash of WKRP’s Dr. Johnny Fever thrown in for good measure. It was just the right touch.  Look Alive Sunshine The other is found at the beginning of the cut “Vampire Money”. The slick intro is a definite echo of  The Sweet’s “Ballroom Blitz” which made me giggle with glam rock-loving glee. For those of you too young to know what I’m talking about, click the link below and have a listen.  To those of you familiar with that classic, you’ll know exactly what I’m talking about.

Ballroom Blitz – The Sweet

The must-listen tracks in my opinion are:

Bulletproof Heart – This is bouncy song of epic proportions that begs to be played live with the crowd drowning out the band. I’m shootin’ out of this room/Because I sure don’t like the company/Stop your preaching right there/’Cause I really don’t care and I’ll do it again Can’t you almost hear 20,000+ singing it?

Planetary (GO!) – A hot slice of hardcore dance-your-ass-offness!  I’m unbelievable/Yeah-I’m undefeatable/ Yeah – Let’s ruin everything/Blast it to the back row Yeah…I definitely want to dance.

The Only Hope For Me Is You – A beautiful, sweeping, ultramodern song from the heart. It may be a ballad, but it’s got an edge. And if we can’t find where we belong/We’ll have to make it on our own/Face all the pain and take it on/Because the only hope for me/Is you alone. Sigh…

The Only Hope For Me Is You

Stay tuned for the third and final installment regarding My Chemical Romance’s Danger Days: The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys when I catch them live at Chicago’s House of Blues for the Twisted Christmas show on 12/15/10.