lostinlife

Incredibly theatrical, ostentatious, cheesy, gaudy. But even more so sharply written and enjoyable from beginning to end. It's held up the best among its contemporaries, and it cleanly sets My Chemical Romance apart from the pretenders.

The existential crisis on display would be less concerning if many young and middle-aged people didn't relate to it so easily. This is a powerful and unique project well worth a listener's time.

Sometimes, the lyrics are a little too hamfisted and saccharine. Sometimes, the melodies don't quite work the way you'd hope they would. But sometimes, it hits just right. This is a fun, flawed album: the themes show a delicious ironic tension between Rosenstock's self-awareness and maturity and his lingering Peter Pan syndrome. (Maybe a little more self-awareness would've proved useful in heightening the album's impact.) That said, the back half is a true achievement and joy in the way the ... read more

Perhaps the heaviest album ever produced. Crushing. Weighty. Yet at the same time, refined, with a distinctive production in an exploration of dynamics. A visionary's effort, with immense attention to detail. Must be heard.