As a north Jersey guy, I am biased towards this band. You’ve heard of six degrees of separation? In NJ, it’s two. These dudes played in my basement 6 years ago on Halloween and I thought, wow! These guys sound much different than the other Thursday rip-off bands that play in town. They’re actually doing something NEW, and with STYLE!

Then one day I’m in the grocery store and see Gerard on the cover of teen beat magazine. Friends who I know who said they knew the guy described him as a driven guy who was destined for stardom, so I thought hells yes. That guy deserves it.

The Black Parade did not surprise me. Their sound has stayed consistent and consistently unique (re: pop punk meets thematic cabaret music meets, dare I say it, “screemo”).

I won’t be putting their posters up on my wall any time soon and judged as any other band, I’d say this album is worth a listen or two, but not many more. The dark lyrics set to circus music sometimes comes off as silly and overall, the album could rock MUCH harder than it does from start to finish.

Judging this band for the teen-pop superstars they are, I’d say the “kids today” are finally listening to something with talent, creativity and originality. When Gerard yells, “Teenagers scare the living shit out of me,” he means you. The world needs more bands like My Chem.