Even if they vehemently deny it, the oft–costumed, mascara–wearing lads of My Chemical Romance have become the essence of all things “emo.” Their 2006 mega–hit concept album, The Black Parade, gave voice to a disgruntled sect of disaffected teenage suburbanites. And in all its theatrical glamour and melodrama, it was actually a pretty good album. Now, MCR is slated to release its first studio album since The Black Parade; the track “The Only Hope for Me Is You” was just released as the album’s second single. After reveling in unabashed adoration from millions of Hot Topic shoppers for four years, on this track we find MCR experimenting with various musical styles and trying to expand their sonic repertoire — with questionable success. The beginning of the track is promising: it begins with dreamy atmospherics in a clear channeling of Radiohead. The psychedelic aesthetic ends roughly half a minute in, however, when the song moves swiftly toward classic MCR. The industrial guitar/synth kicks in, creating a wave of sound that carries lead singer Gerard Way’s trademark theatrical vocals. Aside from a few ornamental touches, this single shows that MCR wants to fool around a bit with other styles, but generally lacks the desire to stray far from the unique sound that made them famous. And when you hear them dive into that rollicking chorus, angsty lyrics and all, can you blame them? This single, and surely the upcoming album, will fill stadiums and satisfy the black–clad emo legions — regardless of whether you like them or not.
2.5/5 stars
