The Black Parade
by My Chemical Romance
  • Record Label: Reprise
  • Release Date: Oct 24, 2006
User Score
8.8

Universal acclaim- based on 790 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 708 out of 790
  2. Mixed: 19 out of 790
  3. Negative: 63 out of 790

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  1. AnOnymous
    Nov 16, 2006
    3
    Meh. MCR wants to be big and important and high-minded, but this mostly sounds exactly like all the other chugga-chugga pop-punk out there. It's all just so pretentious, and the marketing hype makes it more annoying - it's a concept album! cancer! whatever! If you need to explain how deep and meaningful it is ad nauseum, well, you paint your audience into a corne, eh? Better Meh. MCR wants to be big and important and high-minded, but this mostly sounds exactly like all the other chugga-chugga pop-punk out there. It's all just so pretentious, and the marketing hype makes it more annoying - it's a concept album! cancer! whatever! If you need to explain how deep and meaningful it is ad nauseum, well, you paint your audience into a corne, eh? Better bands than this have stolen from Queen and Pink Floyd, and without being so obvious about it. Frankly all the slobbering over this album just puzzles me.… Expand
  2. ErikaC
    Nov 14, 2006
    10
    The Black Parade is the best of bolth bullets and revenge. This album stands out because, the lyrics are somewhat gloomy while still making the person who is listing to it feel optimistic. The amazing instrumental in the songs are marvelous, mixed with the vocals it is one of their most amazing albums ever.
  3. Alliec
    Nov 14, 2006
    10
    Such an amazing record, each song has such meaning behind it, it's empowering and opens your eyes to such things. A Great listen for those long bus rides, gives you a chance to think about each song.
  4. mukoron
    Nov 14, 2006
    1
    suxk!!
  5. TyeN.
    Nov 12, 2006
    9
    MCR have somehow evolved past another "me too" emo rock band and into something worthy of listening to. I was so shocked when I first heard this album in my friends car and was told it was MCR. The next day I purchased the album to discover one of the year's best. Even if you previously despised them, you might be surprised by just how much they've grown. Their song writing and MCR have somehow evolved past another "me too" emo rock band and into something worthy of listening to. I was so shocked when I first heard this album in my friends car and was told it was MCR. The next day I purchased the album to discover one of the year's best. Even if you previously despised them, you might be surprised by just how much they've grown. Their song writing and music playing is so much better than before..it's an unbelievable evolution. Best tracks: "Dead!", "This Is How I Disappear", "Welcome To The Black Parade", "Mama", "Teenagers", "House of Wolves", "The Sharpest Lives" and "Cancer". Definitely worth at the least a listen.… Expand
  6. Matt
    Nov 11, 2006
    0
    Shit production for something made in 2006, whining, shit voice, shit guitar work, shit song structures and wont stand the test of time, ever to people who think their die hard MCR fans today, 10 years time no one will ever remember it unlike metallicas, megadeths and slayers first albums.
  7. billym
    Nov 9, 2006
    2
    this record sucks. anyone born before 1990 should pretty much understand that. if you want something like this, try green day or something, they're at least not so total douche whiny puss styles.....it's kinda like if you had some cheeseball metal singer from the 80s totally scream-complaining about stuff and posing down with like Everclear as the super sweet back up band. or something.
  8. ra'quaylec
    Nov 9, 2006
    10
    God!! you are all idiots if you can't see that mcr is oh so fucking real than you are a fucking dumbass and need to get your fucking brains checked!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  9. Kevin
    Nov 8, 2006
    10
    One of the few albums that ill listen to every song and not skip through. No trash all good songs
  10. Nib
    Nov 8, 2006
    0
    "The Black Parade" is one of the worst songs i've ever heard!!!! It can't decide what song it wants to be and spends 3 minutes changing it's mind. It starts off as a poor Green Day, changes into a second rate Blink 182, then switches to an awful Queen tribute band. At one point it seems the songs speeds up so much, the lead singer Gerard Way-overated, seems to struggle to "The Black Parade" is one of the worst songs i've ever heard!!!! It can't decide what song it wants to be and spends 3 minutes changing it's mind. It starts off as a poor Green Day, changes into a second rate Blink 182, then switches to an awful Queen tribute band. At one point it seems the songs speeds up so much, the lead singer Gerard Way-overated, seems to struggle to catch up like a drunk 14 year old a karaoke contest. This band are appaling and the sooner the radio stations take them off their playlists and we forget about them the better.… Expand
  11. alyssal
    Nov 7, 2006
    10
    this is the greatest album in the world, thank you very much!
  12. andreao
    Nov 7, 2006
    10
    the best album of the year my chemical romance rocks
  13. PerspicaciousCritic
    Nov 7, 2006
    2
    I agree with All Music Guide that
  14. NickM
    Nov 6, 2006
    3
    Over produced and underthought. MCR hyped up this album in their interviews and from the title it sounded like it would be a darker album, a heavier album. I tried to sit through at least one of the songs but couldn't due to poor guitar tone and seemingly half ass musical compositions.
  15. SethB
    Nov 6, 2006
    10
    Wow. Not an emo fan, but I am now a Chemical Romance fan. What a great rock album in a time when there are no great rock albums. One of the best records I've listened to in the last 10 years, maybe ever. Very well produced (same producer as Green Day). This album will be the benchmark of their followups. I feel they cannot go up from this album, and might fall into the "I cannot Wow. Not an emo fan, but I am now a Chemical Romance fan. What a great rock album in a time when there are no great rock albums. One of the best records I've listened to in the last 10 years, maybe ever. Very well produced (same producer as Green Day). This album will be the benchmark of their followups. I feel they cannot go up from this album, and might fall into the "I cannot replicate" syndrome. In any case...go get this album....it's brilliant. Don't mark them as a crappy "emo" band, as that would be a wrong stereotype...they are VERY talented.… Expand
  16. Jimbo
    Nov 5, 2006
    10
    This album is uncomparable. It completely changes all the mindless punk lyrics that we hear way too much and puts a meaning behind them. The track "Cancer" is one of the most compelling songs I've ever heard...you just don't hear tracks like that from other bands in their category, whatever category you think they're in.
  17. Mr.Hankey
    Nov 4, 2006
    5
    Not very good... Definitely overrated but that's emo/ punk-pop for ya!
  18. JimmyH
    Nov 3, 2006
    10
    The best album i have heard this year, for the first time i finally believe rock may become what it once was, MCR is the most unlikely band to do it, yet look what they have done. From the beginning to the end (or from "the end" to "famous last words" rather) this album shows why rock will never die in the razor blades and black sweaters of the "emo" kids. It will thrive in them. If this The best album i have heard this year, for the first time i finally believe rock may become what it once was, MCR is the most unlikely band to do it, yet look what they have done. From the beginning to the end (or from "the end" to "famous last words" rather) this album shows why rock will never die in the razor blades and black sweaters of the "emo" kids. It will thrive in them. If this does not win a grammy, the voters might as well stop the award ceremony entirely.… Expand
  19. eduardom
    Nov 2, 2006
    4
    Their debut album in 2002 was a true emo-core album, I loved the dark wicked lyrics. Their second album got a little pop but was still a great album. The Black Parade, is as too pop, too polished to squeaky clean. They lost their their goth-style screamo sound and turned it to straight pop. I think Ill go back and listen to " I brought you my BUllets You brought me your LOve
  20. DrunkenMaster
    Nov 2, 2006
    0
    If this album is the "soundtrack to your life" you should kill yourself. NOW.
  21. LauraF
    Nov 2, 2006
    10
    I love My Chemical Romance. Especially The Black Parade
  22. emon
    Nov 1, 2006
    7
    Im a MCR fan ,just being honest this album is pretty good but compared to 3 cheers wich was friggn awsome!I feel there are to many slow songs ,it took me a good 4 plays to get used to this one.
  23. RyanB
    Nov 1, 2006
    8
    At one point, not too long ago, it would've ashamed me to admit to liking a single song by My Chemical Romance. They were a cheesy emo-pop band that produced ridiculous videos, along with the odd catchy song. Now, however, I am not at all ashamed to admit I enjoy an entire album of theirs. The Black Parade is full of catchy songs, and while many have a certain degree of campiness, At one point, not too long ago, it would've ashamed me to admit to liking a single song by My Chemical Romance. They were a cheesy emo-pop band that produced ridiculous videos, along with the odd catchy song. Now, however, I am not at all ashamed to admit I enjoy an entire album of theirs. The Black Parade is full of catchy songs, and while many have a certain degree of campiness, and there is still arguably nothing totally original, it only tends to add to each song. I can't fault a band for being catchy, especially when they realize their own cheese-factor and capitalize on it. Congratulations MCR, an album like this has been a long time coming.… Expand
  24. Jordan
    Nov 1, 2006
    10
    After their 2004 hit "Three Cheers For Sweet Revenge", My Chemical Romance return with one of the best albums of the year. Who says a story of a dying boy cant be enjoyable? It is uplifting, ambitious and ingenius. Download: "Disenchanted", "Teenagers", and "Famous Last Words"
  25. bob
    Oct 31, 2006
    8
    In a world grown weary of razor cuts and tight jeans, MCR fearlessly and unashamedly takes their art and pushes it to the next level. Finally, an "emo" band whose music justifies their excessive use of mascara. MCR's balls have dropped this time around, but that doesn't mean they have dropped the ball. They've raised the bar with this record so enjoy it while you can. In a world grown weary of razor cuts and tight jeans, MCR fearlessly and unashamedly takes their art and pushes it to the next level. Finally, an "emo" band whose music justifies their excessive use of mascara. MCR's balls have dropped this time around, but that doesn't mean they have dropped the ball. They've raised the bar with this record so enjoy it while you can. It's only a matter of time before the other bands make it bland and boring.… Expand
  26. AllistairP
    Oct 31, 2006
    5
    Don't be fooled by all the "it trancendes TRL shit and is true art" because It straight up isn't. I loved thier debut when it came out (haven't listened to it in a while, so might not anymore). Their sophmore album was a complete cope out. While their debut seemed to side step the horrible linear songwriting and bubblegum production, they became exactly those things with Don't be fooled by all the "it trancendes TRL shit and is true art" because It straight up isn't. I loved thier debut when it came out (haven't listened to it in a while, so might not anymore). Their sophmore album was a complete cope out. While their debut seemed to side step the horrible linear songwriting and bubblegum production, they became exactly those things with thier 2nd album. Now they just prettied it up and use all kind of dull tricks to try to make a song that sounds like every other one of their songs a little different. Just junk, and they honestly coulda been great.… Expand
  27. KyleB
    Oct 31, 2006
    8
    I wouldn't call this a phenomenal album, but I now have an enormous amount of respect for these guys.
  28. JonnyH
    Oct 30, 2006
    9
    Blinkin' great... Who reads NOW "magazine" anyway? As for the Observer Music Monthly, obviously some little lord trying to stand out, s/he has done, but for all the wrong reasons.
  29. PeteS
    Oct 30, 2006
    8
    Not as good as "Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge", but still a great album once it gets stuck in your head. Best tracks: "How I Disappear" and "House of Wolves".
  30. rockom.
    Oct 29, 2006
    9
    I wasn't a fan of My Chemical Romance before this. My girlfriend fell in love with them and I sort of resented their theatrics. But, this album has made a fan of me. It's impressively organized and by the time Liza Minelli rolls around, she doesn't seem to be out-of-place at all. Great stuff!
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Awards & Rankings

3
#3 Most Discussed Album of 2006
3
#3 Most Shared Album of 2006

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
79

Generally favorable reviews - based on 24 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 24
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 24
  3. Negative: 1 out of 24
  1. The Guardian
    80
    The most bonkers album of the year, but one of the best.
    Read full review
  2. Alternative Press
    100
    The Black Parade is MCR's whole raison d'etre rolled up into one mega-decibel calling card. [Nov 2006, p.179]
  3. Blender
    90
    They've created the Sgt. Pepper of screamo.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »