Album Review: Danger Days - The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys (My Chemical Romance)

When My Chemical Romance first announced a “Pop - Dance Album” back in September, many people’s first reaction was “What the hell?!”. It seemed unlikely that MCR, who since releasing the phenomenal “Black Parade” had been called “Emo Superstars” “emo fags”, “A Death Cult”, and been blamed as the reason for a teenager’s suicide, would become the very thing they seeked to avoid - the “Popular Kids”. The first listen of some of the tracks on Danger Days is interesting, to say the least. But of course, this is MCR, and there is some poisonous, and totally brilliant twist on the idea.
    This “twist” is the concept of the album - a group of outlaws (The “Killjoys”, played by the band) in a post-nuclear-war California fighting against the evil “Better Living Industries” (or BL/ind for short) who basically run the world. This is established in the video for “Na Na Na”, featuring both parties driving around the desert firing laser guns at each other. Yes, it’s a massive and ridiculous concept, which written on paper, doesn’t work. However, MCR have a way of working stupidly massive concepts their way and making them awesome - and in a way, this album seems almost satirical of the world we live in today, one in which massive corporations (for example, Apple) run the world, and which those who want to break away from this are seen as “disturbing the peace”, or “killing joy”. In fact, think Aldous Huxley’s “Brave New World” (Complete with happiness drugs, courtesy of BL/ind!) painted pastel colours, and thrown in the desert.
    Concept aside, this album is still marvellous - opening songs “Look Alive Sunshine” and “Na Na Na” set out this alum for what it is - not pop-rock from 2010, but an 80s influenced work (think 80s Punk and David Bowie surviving a Nuclear Explosion). It’s not the soul-deep sound of “The Black Parade” or “3 Cheers for Sweet Revenge”, but still deals with issues of isolation and freedom (“Gravity don’t mean too much to me, I’m who I’ve got to be, these pigs are after me” Sings Way on “Bulletproof Heart”). Whilst some of the songs, for example SING, S/C/A/R/E/C/R/O/W and the Kids From Yesterday are quite raw, others are synth-happy. For example, “Planetary (GO!)” is basically a Dance song. Before you throw this down screaming “WHAT!!!”, it’s also very cleverly done. “Fame is now injectable” yells Gerard, a stick at those who can simple gain popularity by being “Pretty” or “cool”, or indeed writing a less ironic version of the very song. “The Only Hope For Me Is You” is another song using more electronic effects, this time more ballad like than the rest.
    The rest of the album follows much the same… Party Poison and Save Yourself, I’ll Hold Them Back are similar to the original sound established by “The Killers” but combined with the lyrical genius of MCR of old, whilst S/C/A/R/E/C/R/O/W (a song about both a nuclear explosion, and the overuse of CCTV on the public at the same time) and The Kids From Yesterday are both very Bowie-esque tracks (proof that, under the whole “American Rock Band, California 2019 etc. Persona, MCR still want to British). Dr Death Defying makes an appearance on “Traffic Report” and “Goodnight Dr Death”, and “Vampire Money" is an unashamed protest against bands selling into the “Twilight Fame” (since MCR’s first album is about Vampires, Twilight has made the whole image very un-dangerous), so perhaps the only weak points of this album are “Summertime” and “DESTROYA”, which, whilst not being necessarily “bad” tracks, feel a little rushed compared to the others. In conclusion, the mixture of amazing concepts and efficient (if not technical) musician work makes this not only a good album, but possibly the best album of this year.

8/10

Live Review: Attack! Attack! (Bristol Thekla)

It looks like a small crowd tonight for one of Britain's foremost up-and-coming pop-punk bands... 15 minutes before show time there is a grand total of 40 people assembled outside the Thekla (a renovated boat), some of which, admittedly don't even know the band ("We're actually only here to see Go-X" says one girl, as the smallish crowd enters the Venue). Fortunatly, this number increases closer to showtime, though, unfortunatly for Clear the Coast (5/10) not very quickly. Their similar pop-punk fails to gain much recognition, aside from a small, short-lived mosh pit.

However, Go-X (7/10) is a different story, and already appear to have a cult following of teenagers. With songs such as "Dance Again" they provoke much enthusiasm from the crowd, and frontman Josh actually connects with these fans after the set. Their set is cut annoyingly short, however, due to the venue's early curfew (though there is significant dissapointment at their depature)

Freeze The Atlantic (4/10) is a rather apathetic affair. Besides being normally quite fun with catchy emo-punk riffs, everyone is either still exhausted from Go-X, or just bored, waiting for the headliners. Even though they try, FTA don't really get the crowd's attention at all.

After a short wait, in which the Venue seems to fill with peaople who have appeared closer to the actual headline, Attack! Attack! (7/10) emerge on stage, instantly jumping into "Say it to Me" from their Self-titled debut album, and running straight into No Excuses (from their new album, "The Latest Fasion"). Crowd favourite and debut single "You and Me" is then pumped out with much gusto, resulting in an actual mosh pit which, this time picks up properly. Overall, Attack! Attack!'s performance tonight is very good, though only seems to score equal with their support Go-X. However, belting out a mixture of old and new songs gives the crowd a great impression, and it's a shame that the venue pull the plug at the early time of 10.00, resulting in no possible encore. However, overall, a good show with a strong, positive atmosphere

The Coalition Signs it's Own Death Sentence

The coalition (or, indeed, the Conservative Party) have announced many radical measures to fight the recession, such as making defense cuts, raising VAT to 20% etc., and until now, I have been willing to accept, and bear with these cuts - after all, as soon as the recession is over, things can return to normal. However, I feel that on Monday, the 5th of November, George Osborne made a foolish mistake, one which will cost both the Conservative and Liberal Democrat Party dearly. I'm talking, of course, about the plan to axe Child Benefits

Naturally, many people may not be effected by this. Perhaps you don't have children, or maybe you earn enough to live without child benefit. However, most of the country will agree that this is nothing short of catastrophic. From a party who's Ideology clearly states that they "Support Families and Full Time Mothers", and during their election campaign AND emergency budget clearly stated they were "Not going to touch" Child Benefits, this is a very big mistake. Part of the beauty of child benefit was that ANYONE with children was applicable. This money could be saved up for extra-curricular activities, hobbies, or even essentials such as food and clothes.

Perhaps the worst thing about the new system is how it is run - as opposed to judging household income, which would make most sense, the Tories have based the system on tax brackets. This means anyone earning over £44000 will, from 2013, be illegible for child benefits. However, households where both parents work, and gain an income of £42000 each (combined £84000), will still recieve child benefit. This a) goes completely against the Tory Ethos of helping full-time parents, and b) will, again, effect the middle classes worst (who have already payed most of the cost in restoring the economy).

The Conservative party, of course, will be able to "forget this" eventually. However, for the other party in the coalition, the Liberal Democrats, this is a total disaster. Whilst the public has been sceptical of the coalition already, this leaves one definite opinion - it has, so far, been a total disaster. Whilst the conservative party CAN hold a mojority government, the Lib Dems rely heavily on coalitions. The "alternative voting" referendum going out next May, opening up the possibility of more coalitions in the future, could quite easily flop in light of these recent events. Really, the conservative party is just screwing The Liberal Democrats over. Is this democracy? No, it isn't.

In a Loss of Topics on Which to Talk About, Here's a Live Review

Lostprophets Review (Cardiff International Arena, 1st May 2010)

For one of Wales's biggests exports, Lostprophets have only ever actually played a few shows in Cardiff. This will be one of those few, and as the crowd mills in to the resonably sized venue, a feeling of excitement instantly grips everyone. Or perhaps it's the burger I ate 20 minutes ago

Either way, the first support act, Sharks are worthy of a pathetic 3/10. 3 songs into their instantly forgettable, yet reasonably enjoyable set, the lead singer/guitarist throws his guitar down yelling "What the fuck is this?". For a band recently hailed "Hardest working punks in rock today", We can't fail to feel a little short changed. This all changes soon enough, when a particularly hairy roadie, who for the last 10 minutes has been running back and forth, picks up a guitar. Yes, this is Hexes (6/10), and after a few cries of "I want your beard!" from the crowd, they get off to a great start. Whilst they don't have the best, most original style of playing (and screaming), an uundisputable energy flows from the reinvigorated stage, picking up the moshing energy that Sharks threw away

Perhaps most surprisingly, Kids In Glass Houses (8/10) not only fit well with the surrounding metallic bands, they dominate the arena, as the third support act. Perhaps its the army of Welsh fans that swarm forward to catch a glimpse of Aled (lead singer)'s face. Certainly, belting out favourites like "Hunt the Haunted" and "Matters at All", it seems a shame when they eventually leave the stage. They create a gig in their own right

Of course, it's not even started yet. As house lights dim for a forth time, the introduction to "If It Wasn't For Hate" sends shivers across the crowd, and Lostprophets (8/10) burst into full swing with "Dystryr Dystryr", leaving the crowd breathless. Storming through "It's Not The End of The World But I Can See It From Here", the Pontypridd boys grace us with some old action "Burn Burn", bringing heavy mosh pits, and a multitude of screaming and singing from the crowd.

The onslaught continues through the night, with favourites new and old, and even a cover of "Omen" by The Prodigy (which is rather... unprovoking), it seems amazing that an hour and a hlaf ago we watch a primaddona storm off stage. Following "For He's A Jolly Good Felon", someone throws a tie from Ian Watkins (Lead Vocals)'s school on the stage, and the singer ties it round his head as a bandana. Perhaps the highlight of the night is "Shinobi VS Dragon Ninja" which has everyone jumping. After walking off stage, a huge demand for an encore brings the band back on to play "The Light That Shines Twice as Bright", which rather flattens the atmosphere. However, there is no denying this was an awesome show

Worst Bands in the World at the Moment. (Taken from a Blog I wrote elsewhere)

This is the list of the 10 worst bands in the world (According to me) Opinions and additional suggestions welcome


10) Slayer

I'm Sure I'll get stick for this, but who cares?

Slayer. All the songs sound the same, because it's all ridiculously heavy guitar with lyrics (that sound like a dog being attacked with a chainsaw) about how much you hate the world and the world hates you
This is all fairly avoidable. The worst thing is Slayer fans in general, who hate anyone who doesnt hate the world, and will actually beat people up for not being "Metal" enough...


9) Cannibal Corpse

Along the same vein as Slayer here - Babaric, indistinguishable death metal with inaudible lyrics about gore. Except more graphic than is humanly nececarry


8) Boys Like Girls

BLG as a band are just about bearable (at a push), as synth heavy pop-punk goes. I don't wanna hear it, and wherever this is, there are the annoying type of scene kids there (as in Scene kids that are also annoying, not all Scene Kids are annoying). What I really hate about BLG is how they can ruin a perfectly good gig - Kids in Glass Houses, touring with BLG... Ruined


7) Bring Me The Horizon

I'm sure someone will slate me for this too.... actually, unlike some things on this list, I can say more positive about BMTH - Apparantly their lyrics are meant to be clever, and they have been a source of confidence for many people.
The thing is, no matter how good your lyrics are, when they sound like a cat being dragged down the motorway, they lose all meaning. I never know what to think of Oli Sykes either - first he's recovered from a traumatic childhood, then he's supposedly assaulted a woman? then he releases a range of CLOTHES? Who's heard of a deathcore band with a clothing range? Hats off to him though, he's successful. I can't make up my mind on this guy


6) Panic! at the Disco

Possibly the most overrated band ever? For some reason hugely popular around my area, PATD don't seem to know who to rip off next... Fall Out Boy (itself a rip-off of Blink 182 and Jimmy Eat World), the Beatles.... Totally samey and boring tunes with a singer who sounds EXACTLY like Patrick Stump... How did they get signed... Oh yeah, Pete Wentz...


5) Oasis

Yeah, I know they're popular, possible the most popular Beatles Tribute Band in the world. Annoyingly, people who play acoustic guitar at school gigs ALWAYS play wonderwall, which is a TERRIBLE song. It doesnt help your band when your two frontmen are total plonkers either. Thank god they split up


4) Jonas Brothers

No list of "Worst Bands Ever" is complete without the Jonas Brothers. Taking the "Rock" out of "Rock Music", the only reason this "band" recieves any attention is the "Disney" label, so that over-protective parents can be sure their kids aren't listening to songs about (Shock Horror)... Real life! (FYI Real Life is not super happy and perfect and all about love, like a Jonas Song)


3) N- Dubz

Strictly speaking not a band, but awful enough to get down here. Music that encourages children to participate in knife crime and underage sex... and buying prattish hats, and sending death threats.... N-Dubz represents everything bad about the modern world


2) Hadouken!

For some reason this band is classed as Rock... It's not. It's everything I hate about popular music in one big package.... Synth heavey, poor rapping vocals and lyrics about chics and dancing (and general Chavvyness)... that appears on all the rock music channels.... F**K OFF!!!


1) Brokencyde

Screaming inaudible vocals laced with crappy synth beats.... could it get any worse? To be honest, no-one likes this, they just think they're "bad" by listening to it. How delusional


Well you've read my rant... any feedback, or bands i missed, please comment

The First Post. Seriously

So, a combination of boredom, lack of homework recources and cumilation of really good, reasonably intelligent thoughts has led me to write this blog. I will hopefully update it regularly, and post bits of it elsewhere. Yay