Being a My Chemical Romance member is always going to come with some level of anticipated quality and standard. Frank Iero is back, with a name change to the band, with a new album and we certainly think it lives up to expectations.
There is no shying away from the loud rock sounds as opening track ‘World Destroyer’ kicks in with heavy guitars and gravely vocals from the get go. It has a thumping sound that powers the track along and as an album opener lets you know exactly what you are in for, and it won’t be anything quiet or reserved.
As the album progresses there is nothing less than dirty guitar sounds and an edge of emo vibes that you would almost expect. Tracks such as ‘I’ll Let You Down’ and ‘Oceans’ really emphasis this. What is also a nice touch, especially on these two tracks, on the album is the amount of long instrumental sections rather than always being hit with loud screaming vocals. They give short moments to really take in the music and be completely encased within it.
‘Miss Me’ instantly stands out on the album due to it’s difference from all the other songs. It’s an acoustic number that hits you as a surprise within this mass of loud rock but fits so perfectly. It has some folky singer songwriter feeling to it and lyrically it’s full of honesty and raw emotion. It’s quite easily one of our favourite tracks on the album and surely will become to favourite of many others too. It has the real emotional connection.
Closing track ‘9-6-15’ does a similar job and it is clear that this album is going to be one that fans old and new will find a connection in be it lyrically or just because of the emotion and honestly that you cannot help but sense within each moment.
“Parachutes are life saving devices. We rely on them to bring us back from the brink of death. Whether we fall or jump they are the only things keeping us alive. Such as with life, we are all just falling or plunging to an eventual end, but the love of my family and my ability to create art and music has always been my parachute.
The act of living can be random and strange, beautiful and ugly at the same time and the only thing that is undeniably certain is eventually we are all gonna hit the ground. Some of us plummet at an incredible rate and it’s over in a flash, but some of us get saved and are able to enjoy the view for a little while…”
Frank’s words on the reasons behind the name Parachutes are simply beautiful and it almost goes without saying that they ring true for so many in the way that they feel about music. This new album is a collection of dirty rock songs, with a moments of acoustic beauty, that many will fall in love with.