Long Live The Black Parade!

I'm a hardcore MCR fan, so of course I rushed out to buy The Black Parade the first day it cam out. I was worried about how it would be...after all, it's a huge disappointment to see a band you love put out a crappy album. And yes, this is vastly different from their first two albums, but luckily it was a huge improvement!
Of course, I was incredibly disappointed with the dye job, as I used to think Gerard Way was hot (as I go for skinny, pale, dark haired guys), but now he just looks like a Legolas stunt double. Other than that, everything about the album was awesome.
It has a different tone then their previous albums. It has a more sweeping, epic feeling, and the band has wisely injected a shot of - gasp! - optimism. It was the best thing they've ever done.
Now here's a track by track review.
1: The End
The short opening track is alright. It never quite kicks into high gear, though it obviously tries in certain places, and that was a bit of a letdown. Still a pretty good song though.
2: Dead
This song is more reminiscent of early MCR work than most of the other songs. It has their trademarks, such as a frantic meth-induced pace and slightly psychotic lyrics. But isn't that why we love them? While it doesn't exactly share the tone of the rest of the album (at least I think so), in its own right its a very good, frantic rock song.
3: This Is How I Disappear
Now we get into the swing of things - this song is more representative of the album, and of the new MCR sound. Still as angst - filled as ever, of course, but not as hyper as we're used to from them. The new sound takes getting used to from them, but its a welcome change. Personally, this is one of my favorite songs.
4: The Sharpest Lives
This is more of the new sound, a little less psychotic than many fans are used to. But I love this song. Simply put, its just a pure rock song.
5: Welcome to The Black Parade
Most people have heard this song by now, and I think its one of the best on the album. Rather than their fast paced, three minute punk songs, this one is longer and more epic. Its also not nearly as depressing as some of their work, but instead is a celebratory anthem that exclaims "We'll carry on! We'll carry on!" It's quite a jolt hearing an optimistic MCR, and it's really quite a refreshing change.
6: I Don't Love You
Far be it for me to insult my favorite band, but I wasn't entirely thrilled with this song. Up until now the album was so good, but I must admit this song's a bit of a drag. Its not as lively as many would hope, but it's also not a slow ballad. It's just somewhere in the middle. It's not on of my favorites, but I don't hate it. It's just kind of there.
7: House of Wolves
This song is much more frenzied than previous tracks, and is also more similar to their early work. It's different then their new sound, and like "Dead", it doesn't quite fit with the rest of the album, but I still think it's good in its own right.
8: Cancer
Also not one of my favorites. It's striving to be a meaningful, moving ballad, but for me it never quite got there. It just ended up being depressing, without having any other real impact. Oh, well. I guess every album is allotted a mediocre song.
9: Mama
This is a very weird song, but in a good way. Apparently the message of the song is "Mama, we all go to hell". Oh, joy. But who would expect anything else from MCR? Like I said, it has a pretty unorthodox sound that won't work for everyone, but it does work for me. It's actually my second favorite song on the album (my favorite is yet to come). One thing that does bother me, though: this song - and I am NOT making this up, you can check the album booklet - has guest vocals from LIZA MINELLI. ARRGGGHHH!!!!!
10: Sleep
This has a similar sound to "I Don't Love You", and I admit I'm not thrilled with it. I'm not thrilled with the sound, and its also a bit redundant at this point. Probably my least favorite track on the album (but again, I don't hate it).
11: Teenagers
I really like this song. Admittedly, it's not nearly as deep as the rest of the songs, this one being about adults who say "Teenagers scare the living s*** out of me". But if you ignore that fact, then it has a very catchy, infectious sound. Less substance, but more fun.
12: Disenchanted
This song is excellent, I think.It's incredibly nice to hear MCR ignore the electric guitar and psycho lyrics for one song, and choose to go a more acoustic, soul - bearing route. I'd never expect a song like this from them, and I'm pretty impressed.
13: Famous Last Words
Hands - down, my favorite song on the album. It has the lively rock sound we all love, but doesn't have the depressing lyrics. Instead, it declares "I am not afraid to keep on living, I am not afraid to walk this world alone." It has a similar message to "Welcome to the Black Parade", and is a perfect end to the album. Definitely one of the best, if not the best song they've ever done.
There's also an untitled hidden track that I have to mention. It's blank for the first minute and a half, so you have to fast forward. Once you get there, you'll find a weird song of just over a minute. it has the sound of an old fashioned piano ditty from the forties, but has lyrics like "So give them blood, blood, gallons of the stuff. Give them all that they can drink and it will never be enough." The black sheep of the album, its undeniably strange, but I like it.
So in closing, it's not a perfect album, but it comes pretty darn close. This would be a five star if it weren't for a couple songs that weren't quite up to par.