 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
The Black Parade
- By My Chemical Romance
- Genre: Rock
Common Sense Media says
More macabre intensity and chemical dependency.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that My Chemical Romance continues to produce lyrics that are pretentious and death-obsessed, but also at times, very well written. "F--k" and "s--t" appear just frequently enough to warrant a "Parental Advisory" sticker. There are also several references to drinking and drugs.
What's the story?
THE BLACK PARADE is, according to lead singer Gerard Way, "way more dramatic, way more theatrical, completely over the top; borderline psychotic" compared to My Chemical Romance's 2004 major-label debut, Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge. There's nothing subtle about this CD, as the band careens from one majestically arranged, death-obsessed anthem to another ("Wouldn't it be grand to take the pistol by the hand/and wouldn't it be great if we were dead?" muses Way on "Dead!") -- with occasional side trips to the local bar. The only subtlety comes in the lyrics of "Cancer" ("Call my Aunt Marie/tell her to gather my things"), a poignant exploration of terminal illness that may mean a lot to anyone who has had personal experience with life-threatening disease.
Is it any good?
The group's exceptional rhythm section, impressive guitar work, and intense lead vocals, along with ever-more dramatic and (some might say) overblown production techniques, create a dark and apocalyptic mood throughout The Black Parade, and some of the songwriting is evocative and poetic. Though not a great choice for overly sensitive teens dealing with severe depression, My Chemical Romance has a lot to offer those who can put the band's bleak worldview in perspective.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about depression and death-obsession, and the value of expressing thoughts and fears artistically rather than self-destructively. "Cancer" might have poignant resonance for anyone who has personal experience with the disease.
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AGE
Fantastic Album Fine For 14+
This album is perfect in every way, from a technical standpoint. It is close to perfection in themes, messages, and content issues. "The End" and "Dead!" have somewhat of a prayer to them: ("Save me!..."To young to die, get me out of here!")
Where "Welcome To The Black Parade" motions those who have lost a loved one to ("Carry on...Though you're dead and gone, you're memory will carry on...")
"Cancer" is a ballad of "The Patient" dying of cancer (Obviously), and telling his love that it is hard to leave her, but he will see her again...("The hardest part of this is leaving you.../I'll be with you soon.")
"Famous Last Words" encourages listeners, once again, to be strong...("I am not afraid to keep on living/I am not afraid to walk this world alone...")
"This Is How I Disappear" shows "The Patients" love for his wife/girlfriend...("Without you is how I disappear/I want to be with you forever now...")
"I Don't Love You" is a sad song, but ultiamtely ends with telling the truth, though it may be hard...("This Is The Hardest thing to say.../I don't love you like I did, yesterday...")
In "Disenchanted", "The Patient" recalls all the fond memories he had before he dies...("It was the roar of the crowd that gave me heartache to sing.../I spent my high school career and got my degree/I always wanted to sell a car on TV...")
"Mama" shows that if one sins he will die and go to hell...("Oh, mama, we're all gonna die.../Mama we all go to hell/I should've been a better son...")
The negative content is really quite minimal. "GD" is used twice on "Disenchanted", "F--k" is used very sparingly and only on three songs. "Sh-t" is used on "Teenagers" several times, and "House Of Wolves" suggests that this fictional character "The Patient" feels no regret for past sins...("I S-I-N.../I'll say what I wanna say/ Honey I'm no angel, I'll take that to my grave...")
On a artistic standpoint, this album is fantastic. Soaring vocals from Gerard Way, amazing lead guitar from Ray Toro, and high-scale production values ensure this CD will be played over and over again.
Parents, please consider buying this for your kids if you are unsure about the content. I hope my review helps you in your decision. There are a lot of good lessons to learn from this album, and who knows, you may find you enjoy it as well.
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AGE
Perfectly Fine
Yes, they did drop a few f-bombs. So what? Kids my age do it every single day. If parents are worried about their kids commiting suicide or becoming depressed from listening to My Chemical Romance's lyrics, then they should listen to the last track, 'Famous Last Words', which uses the lines quite a few times, 'I am not afraid to keep on living, I am not afraid to walk this world alone.' And thanks to that song, I am not afraid to keep going on with my life, even through the darkest of times.
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AGE
Love it
What most parents don't get is that the feelings expressed in these albums, ya know, Might actually be real feelings (Wow....)! If a child is listening to this music, it does not mean they are depressed or death obsessed, it means they have good taste in music. If they like this music, or are into the "emo culture" it does not mean they are suicidal, or need to be in a mental facility. Quit being so paranoid and at least try to understand it.
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AGE
Incredible Band xD
The Language Is Pretty Awful, It's Death-Obsessed But...You Know What? I LOVE It. I Have A Hoodie, A Poster, Three Albums Of Theirs. I May Only Be Eleven, But They Are An Incredible Band, Whatever Controversy They've Attracted. I Mean, They Must Be Doing Something Right If My MUM Likes Them A Bit (Though Not My Dad, He Despises Of Heavy Metal =/)
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AGE
for all who need a hug sometimes
come on 15. i hear bad language every day and use it your kids do too and thay are NOT apocalyptic thay tell the truth the world is not that happy of a place. my kids will grow up lissing to MCR. my friends littel sitters are 10,4,and 1 thay all lissen and love MCR and thay are nice happy (as thay can be) kids.
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AGE
MCR RULES!
MCR is a great band and role model. i don't like the age thing though it should be on how mature your kids are. MCR helps kids get through hard times. they are not death obsessed or suicidal they are savers. Gerard used to use drugs and be messed up but now he is fine. their lyrics help many people and i can relate to their songs. if you are mature you should be able to listen to this and love it.
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AGE
MCR saves lives.
Just stop. This website makes me bang my head against a wall. Instead of giving parents a heads up about certain bands, they completely distort the truth to veer them away from what truly exists within the material. Some expletives and reoccurring themes involving death, but this album represents one of the darkest times in the history of the band. As I said in my other MCR review for Three Cheers, unwind you uptight geezers.
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AGE
:)
even though there is some swearing & talk about drinking, it's a really great album. the only thing is that they just talk about death a LOT (haha well that's gerard way for you). some iffy message about the concept of death (especially the song "dead"). but i still really like the songs on this record.
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AGE
Stop blaming MCR, their music is great and helps when your down
When some parents see, "Death obsessed lyrics..", they freak out. MCR may mention death quite a few times, or have "dark lyrics", but have you ever considered that your children really feel like this inside? You might say, "oh its that darn My Chemical Romance. Timmy, you shouldn't listen to them.", but maybe your kids have really "big" problems in their lives and need to be listened to. On the album "Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge", the song "I'm Not Okay" expresses many teens' feelings (YES, even the f bomb near the end!) On, "The Black Parade", the song "Welcome to the Black Parade" can help many get over the death of a friend or family member; as well as the song "Helena" from the "Three Cheers..." album.
Parents: STOP blaming bands, TV, and whatever else. START talking to your kids and listening to them when they are trying to tell you that something is wrong with them. Instead of ending the coversation or changing the subject, ask your kid how they feel when they listen to MCR's music. Some may just tell you their inner feelings and that MCR helps them through dark times. When you don't listen, it makes them seal their feelings up in their minds and not want to tell you anything, driving them far away from you and closer to MCR's music. And the reason why they like MCR? Because these songs make them feel understood and may even make them feel better.
Bottom Line: LISTEN TO YOUR KIDS, talk to them, and STOP blaming bands like MCR.
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| Artist: | My Chemical Romance |
| Release date: | October 24, 2006 |
| Labels: | Reprise, WEA |
| Genre: | Rock |
| Parental advisory: | Yes |
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