My Chemical Romance - The Black Parade (CD, Parental Adviso)

On this ambitious 2006 outing, My Chemical Romanceboldly follows in the footsteps of Green Day, both in working with producer Rob Cavallo and in taking a conceptual route (a la American Idiot). The result is an impressive collection of songs that finds the goth-leaning New Jersey punk-pop group transforming itself into the title's "Black Parade," a darkly clad marching band that relates the woeful tale of "the Patient," as portrayed by frontman Gerard Way (who bleached his hair blond to convey the character's sickness). In addition to bringing--believe it or not--the equally dramatic and eye-liner-loving Liza Minelli on board for a guest appearance, My Chemical Romanceproves its theatrical mettle by moving from the melancholy grandeur of "Welcome to the Black Parade," which bears an undeniable Queen influence, to "Cancer," an emotive piano-driven ballad. Lifted by its lush, inventive arrangements and Way's dynamic vocal performances, The Black Paradeeffectively stakes its claim as the Sgt. Pepper'sof the brooding Myspace set, and secures My Chemical Romance'sshadowy space in rock history.