Review: My Chemical Romance greatest hits album ‘May Death Never Stop You’
My Chemical Romance are calling it a day, and releasing a greatest hits album to give fans a proper goodbye – but does it hit the spot?
It’s a year since the band called it quits, so fans have had chance to make peace with the fact that they won’t be around anymore. The album, titled ‘May Death Never Stop You’ boasts all of MCR’s greatest hits and fan favourites.
“The title is fitting, because as sad as it was to say goodbye to the band, we look at this collection as a celebration of our best songs, and hope the memory of them continues to bring joy to you all as they have for us,” said band members Gerard Way, Mikey Way, Frank Iero and Ray Toro in a statement. “We hope you take the journey with us into MCR’s past, and enjoy the small taste of what might have been.”
The collection spans the decade-plus career of this remarkable band, whose goth-tinged, theatrical punk-pop sound earned them legions of devoted fans. It features their most beloved songs, including the hits ‘I’m Not Okay (I Promise)’, ‘Helena’ and ‘The Ghost Of You’ from 2004’s ‘Three Cheers For Sweet Revenge’; ‘Welcome To The Black Parade’, ‘Famous Last Words’ and ‘Teenagers’ from 2006’s ‘The Black Parade’; and ‘Na Na Na (Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na)’ and ‘Sing’ from 2010’s ‘Danger Days: The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys’, plus many others.
‘May Death Never Stop You’ will be released as a Standard Digital Album (audio only) and as a Digital Deluxe Album (with audio and DVD content). It will also be released as a standard CD (excluding the DVD content); as a Physical Deluxe edition that includes the DVD; as a 180-gram vinyl two-LP set with a gatefold sleeve, plus the DVD; and as a DTC package, which includes a ‘Thank You For The Venom’ t-shirt.
So what do we think? If you love MCR, you’ll love this album. It’s the perfect way for them to say goodbye, celebrating their greatest hits, and we love that it includes rare demos, outtakes and other extras – this isn’t simply the songs you already have, it’s the perfect goodbye package for fans.
Turn it up: Welcome to the Black Parade – MCR at their best.
So long, and good night, My Chemical Romance.
CD:
1. Fake Your Death
2. Honey, This Mirror Isn’t Big Enough For The Two Of Us
3. Vampires Will Never Hurt You
4. Helena
5. You Know What They Do To Guys Like Us In Prison
6. I’m Not Okay (I Promise)
7. The Ghost Of You
8. Welcome To The Black Parade
9. Cancer
10. Mama
11. Teenagers
12. Famous Last Words
13. Na Na Na (Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na)
14. SING
15. Planetary (GO!)
16. The Kids From Yesterday
17. Skylines And Turnstiles (Demo)
18. Knives/Sorrow (Demo)
19. Cubicles (Demo)
DVD:
20. I’m Not OK (I Promise) Version 1
21. I’m Not OK (I Promise) Version 2
22. Helena
23. The Ghost Of You
24. Welcome To The Black Parade
25. Famous Last Words
26. I Don’t Love You
27. Teenagers
28, Blood (previously unreleased)
29. Na Na Na (Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na) and Art Is A Weapon (trailer)
(includes previously unreleased Na Na Na intro)
30. SING
31. Planetary (GO!)