Bryan Sweeps the Nation!

Bloggers you're getting two updates from me today because I'm too proud of my friend and too excited to keep my emotions to myself! I need to know, are any of you out there planning on checking out the Memphis National Tour? It's continuing to tour through the end of 2011 and through the summer of 2012. If you haven't made plans to see this incredible show yet, I'm going to give you one more reason why you should and his name is Bryan Fenkart! 

I'm proud to say he's my friend, and so happy for him that he's doing such phenomenal things right now! The tour kicked off in early October in, where else, but at The Orpheum in Memphis, TN and is finishing it's third stop in Tulsa, OK today. For every city that the tour stops in, Bryan and his counterpart, the stellar Felicia Boswell are sweeping the city up in the whirlwind that Memphis is creating. Both of them have a set of pipes are, oh my, incredible, and will blow you away in your seats. 


They've appeared on shows such as Good Day Tulsa, Great Day Green Country in Tulsa, and Good Day Houston to name a few, and it seems that on each stop they make Bryan is doing more than just promoting Memphis as a whole. Not only does he do each show the justice of allowing them a little extra glimpse into who Huey Calhoun is, but he also gives them a taste of his original songwriting skills by performing from his soon to be released second album Simple & Grey. 


If you guys don't know by now, I'm INCREDIBLY excited for the release of this album, I can't even tell you. I've heard songs performed acoustically at some of Bryan's gigs over the summer and they're stellar so we're all in for a real treat when the album drops in January! Now, I'm about to make this post come full circle..ready for it? Okay! If  you go see Memphis on tour in a city near you (and that's my shameless plus ladies and gents) you can purchase Bryan's new album, yes I said purchase, at the Memphis merch stand after, or before if you're like me, the show! See, you can see him do his thing as Huey on stage with Felicia, and then you can go home with his new album and indulge in some stellar tunes! You can bet I'll be picking mine up when I see the show in January when I make my way up to Hartford. So, now that I've given you all something to chew over this evening, I hope you decide to see the show, and then bring Bryan's CD home with you! 

Until next time, have a wonderful Sunday evening and enjoy the rest of your week! =]
P.S. If you'd like to see some of the videos and or articles on Bryan and his performances, head over to fenkfans.tumblr.com or twitter.com/fenkfansblog

Memphis The Musical Celebrates Two Years!

HOCKA-TWO! 

Last night I had the incredible pleasure of attending the second anniversary performance of Memphis: The Musical. Not only have I now seen this show four times, which is the most I've ever indulged in any musical by far, but I've also spent all four performances enjoying it from the front row of the theater. It would take me more than one post to truly get down to the nitty gritty about how much this show means to me, but it's touched not just my heart but brought out emotions deep down that I didn't think could possibly exist. And not only have I been lucky enough to fall in love with this magnificent show, but I've shared the experience with people close to me. In January I went with my younger brother as a Christmas present from my parents, in April I took one of my closest friends Samson to see it, and it was his first Broadway show ever. In July I took my mother for her birthday, and my aunt joined us as well, and last night I took my friend Matt, who fell in love with Memphis at his first time seeing the show. 

I've made wonderful friendships through this show; I've had the pleasure of building a wonderful relationship with Bryan Fenkart, who is now leading the National Tour company as their leading man, Huey. I ran into James Monroe Igleheart on a whim in July after seeing Baby It's You and then going to hang out by the Memphis stage door for a little bit, Betsy Struxness who is uber talented in every sense of the word, and last night I was extremely lucky to have met Chad Kimball plus his wonderful family. I have to give massive thanks to Raellen for helping to make this happen because without her I don't think Matt and I would have made it to the anniversary show let alone had the chance to meet Chad. 

The fact that this is Chad's last week with the show before he takes some time off to recoup made seeing the anniversary performance that much more special for me. I'm blessed to have had the opportunity to meet and talk to such a talented and genuine individual. I truly feel that the show will not be the same without him, but that's a different subject for a different time. 

Chad was nice enough to indulge me with a photo, as well as an autograph to add to my Memphis collection. And as stated before, his family was hanging out with us at the stage door as well, and I was able to get a quick shot of Chad and his absolutely adorable nephew William, who saw his Uncle Chad in the show for the first time last night. He was all decked out in his Huey gear; checkered tie and Memphis fedora! Chad, if you happen to see this somewhere, thank you again. It was an absolute pleasure meeting you and getting to see the show on such a monumental night. Thank you for sharing your talent, emotions and passion and for allowing me to see a little bit of your soul each time I sat in the audience!

Chad and I outside after the theater.

Chad and his nephew William, decked out in his Huey gear! 

  

Strings & Piano...And A Free BBQ?!

Well hey there my loyal followers! All three of you that is...anyway, I love you regardless =]. I'm back with some updates and things that you all should know, or I think you should know...or I just want you to know. With that being said, let's get into it! 
Some cool stuff going on with Bryan, he was out in Long Island at a studio in Glen Cove recording the piano and strings for Simple & Grey! Exciting! All of this mean's we're getting closer to the completion of the album and that means it's closer to all of you getting to hear the wonderful musicality that comes alongside such a cool album name like Simple & Grey. I can't wait to hear how the tracks turned out because I'm quite positive that Bryan was elbow's deep in laying down piano tracks today. Don't forget that TheBSide's youtube page has plenty of updates and information on the goings on of the album and as soon as there's a new video up I'll be sure to let you all know! 

Also, on the Memphis front, if you're in the New York area on Friday and have nothing going on at around noon, stop on by The Shubert Theater and come hang out with the cast of the TONY Award winning cast of Memphis The Musical from 12-2. There's a free BBQ in The Shubert Alley as well as a free performance from the cast that starts at 1. The BBQ will be to benefit children's hospitals in the New York area, so people will be there collecting donations. This is all for a great cause and it's sure to be a great day full of all kinds of excitement and fun things, so if you're in the area stop on by, the Shubert is  on West 44th st. and 7th ave. and the Shubert Alley is on the side of the theater where the stage door is, between the theater and Junior's restaurant. 

Until next time, make sure you're following Bryan on Twitter (@Steinway7) and on Facebook, and that you go find me on twitter (@Gabbymags) because sometimes I really can be funny. I swear. 

=]

The National Underground

Back with another installment of new and exciting things! Last night I had the pleasure of spending a night on the town with one of my best friends and getting to see the phenomenal Bryan Fenkart perform at the National Underground in NYC. If you’ve never been to the National Underground, it’s a very intimate atmosphere with the dim lights and the few high top tables and stools. There’s an upstairs and a downstairs, but I didn’t get a chance to wander downstairs last night…maybe on my next trip. But, the main reason we ditched Jersey for the night was to FINALLY catch one of Bryan’s sets. I’ve been dying to go see him play for the longest time now, and with the obscene amount of crap that was building up in my schedule finally coming to a halt I jumped at the opportunity to spend a Monday night in the city with some stellar tunes…and we were even granted the pleasure of getting to hear the extremely talented Parry Adams not only sing backup for Bryan, but play some guitar and sing some covers as well as some of her original stuff from her new EP. Keep an eye out for that because it’s going to be amazing!  

So, before I jump head first into anything about the actual acoustic set (notice how well it flows with that intimate atmosphere) let’s recap a tiny bit. Bryan is in the studio recording album number two, which is entitled Simple and Grey (grey with an E not an A) and is looking at a release date for sometime in the early fall. Fingers crossed for September!

Now, back to the reason I’m writing this blog in the first place. The set last night was outstanding, and I was so excited to hear some of my favorites from Imperfect Man played live. The raw emotion that is clearly hard to miss when you’re listening to the album is amplified more than words can describe when you hear them live. As soon as Bryan played the first chord of Tuesday Morning there was a steady flow of all things incredible just making its way around the bar and everyone that sat there listening, I hope, felt as moved by the performance as I was. After Tuesday Morning we got to hear Hammer To Fall, I Miss You, Empty Handed, Imperfect Man & Independence Day. I hope no one ever asks me to pick a favorite song from the first album because it could take me forever and a day. I’m absolutely equally in love with all of the melodies and lyrics. Do not ever ask me to pick a favorite. It won’t happen.

After a short break, in which Parry Adams blew the crowd away, Bryan hopped back on the stage and gave us all a taste of some of the new material from Simple and Grey. I was so excited to hear some of the new stuff and I can promise that when the album drops in the fall anyone who buys it (and by anyone I do mean EVERYONE, because everyone should buy it) will not be disappointed. He played Shiver On The Edge, Okay, Wait It Out, Brother, The Middle Man and the album’s title track, Simple and Grey. All I have to say about the new material is WOW! If the relatable factor for Imperfect Man was at a 10 on the scale, then it’s blowing past that for Simple and Grey. I loved all of the new material equally, because it’s just too hard for me to play favorites with any of Bryan’s music, but the one that really hit me hardest was Simple and Grey. As the song went on and the lyrics and guitar built up I could feel the emotions building like a wave and then crashing down and consuming me. I was blown away, so much in fact that when my friend tried to get my attention midway through the song I didn’t even realize it.

Aside from getting to see an incredible acoustic performance, it’s always a treat when you get to hang out with the performer afterwards and it was awesome getting to hang out with Bryan and have a few drinks at the bar. If anyone ever gets the opportunity to see him play a show, you won’t be disappointed. He’s one of the nicest people I’ve had the pleasure of meeting and very down to earth. Hanging out with him was a great time, and I’m looking forward to the next adventure. Bryan if you read this, more whiskey will be involved! =].

So, recap: Simple and Grey should be finished in July and out by September. If you don’t have Imperfect Man, go and get that. If you have a facebook or a twitter you can find Bryan on both of those lovely social networking sites (twitter: @steinway7 and facebook: Bryan Fenkart). There’s always updates being posted so you can stay up to date.

Until my next blog rolls around, you can find me on twitter @gabbymags for more of my outrageous banter and comedic relief (sometimes).

Until next time =].

My Top 10....

Since it's been over a month since I've updated (yes, I know, way too long) I thought a quick but fun update was in order. Now, I got this idea from a friend, but her's was a little different so bear with me here. I'm going to do a top 10 list; my top 10 most played songs on my itunes at this moment. I figured you'd all get an idea of what I'm listening to right now, and maybe if there's something on this list that you've never heard of, you can check it out!  
So, are we ready? Yes? Well then, let's move onward shall we? 

10. Blake Lewis- Heartbreak On Vinyl 

9. A.F.I.- Summer Shudder 

8. Lostprophets- It's Not The End Of The World (But I Can See It From Here) 

7. David Guetta Feat. Rihanna- Who's That Chick? (Notice the sample from Madonna's Who's That Girl?) 

6. Jennifer Lopez- On The Floor (if you haven't heart this, youtube it right now because it's such a great song to dance to.) 

5. Good Charlotte- Sex On The Radio

4. Kings Of Leon- Pyro (AMAZING. Nuff Said.)


3. Avenged Sevenfold- The Wicked End 


2. 30 Seconds To Mars- Hurricane (Another amazing song)


1. Lostprophets- Streets Of Nowhere


Now, notice my love of Lostprophets for making it onto my top 10 list TWICE. Yes, I think they're amazing. Yes, I love listening to their music. But more importantly, they have Ian Watkins. Enough said on that subject; and if you don't know who Ian Watkins is get the hell off my blog and go do your research. Now. 


Aside from the goodness that is Ian, now you can get some kind of a feel for the eclectic taste I have in music; I love metal, punk rock, pop and dance. After all, what is music without diversity? My point exactly. 


Don't forget to follow me on twitter for more of my outrageous banter and obnoxious tweets that you won't get anywhere but there. That's right, you're not gonna get my tweets on the blog, so go head on over there and click follow. I try to be funny. Sometimes. =]  


Sleep tight kiddies, it's almost 1a.m. in New Jersey and my ass is off to bed. 

=]

Bryan Fenkart's Imperfect Man

I'm disappointed in myself that it took me this long to find out about this phenomenal artist! Had I not gone to see Memphis on Broadway last weekend I would still be walking around in the dark as to who Bryan Fenkart is!I hate to say that when most people go to see a Broadway show, and an understudy card falls out of the playbill, they’re a bit disappointed, but I always try and remain optimistic no matter what. By the time he had finished his first song I was hooked and couldn’t wait to hear him sing more.

After the show was over I managed to do a bit of research on my phone and get a better grip on who Bryan Fenkart was because, as you all know, music is my thing and if I’m missing out on a stellar artist then I’m not doing my job! This is what I found out about him that everyone should know: Bryan’s debut album, Imperfect Man, was released in 2006 (and now you can thoroughly understand why I'm so disappointed in myself for not finding out about it sooner!) and is available on iTunes for everyone's listening pleasure. If you make your way over to youtube and search “Douchebag Beach” you can see him in an online mini series from 2008. It’s about three bro’s from north Jersey who are looking for love at the Jersey Shore. Needless to say this miniseries was filmed way before the grenade whistle made its debut on Jersey Shore this past week, and is the original series of Jersey’s finest looking to find their soul mates at the shore. Personally I think MTV ripped them off. If you keep searching you can also find a handful of live performances and a few interviews from Memphis, if you’re looking to find out more about this sensational singer and songwriter. So, on that note, let’s get back to the album!

Imperfect Man is a mix of Dashboard Confessional, John Mayer and Something Corporate (google them if you don't know who they are) with a hint of some southern twang to it and the end result is Bryan Fenkart's Imperfect Man! His lyrics dive deeper than any sort of commercial song and paint a beautiful lyrical picture from start to finish with no doubt of uncertainty. So, before my Starbuck's starts to get cold, I'm going to give you all the rundown of this incredible album from start to finish, song by song, until you all have the urge to run out and buy it; and trust me, by the end of this I'm hoping you're all on iTunes clicking the 'preview' button! As always you’ll get a song by song description from me as well as my favorite lyrics; so, ready? Good, here we go! 

Tuesday Morning- The intro track on the album brings a burst of light through your speakers and immediately launches your head first into the lyrical journey that Bryan paints for his listeners. The fact that the lyrics tell a story is one of the many things that make this song stand out from the rest, and really bring this scenario to life for everyone. Two lovers who find themselves in a short tryst and time seems to fly by faster when they’re together as opposed to when they’re thinking of each other watching each other from across the room.

Favorite lyric: “You took my breath away that’s why I can’t read you tonight’s lullaby”

Hammer To Fall- The musicality of this song brings such a smile to my face. Being unable to let go of your latest love is never easy, but Bryan brings the realizations to life in this song. The guitars melt together perfectly with the piano and create a sound that is so beautifully aesthetic that when the small violin section makes its way into the bridge of the song you can actually feel yourself melt in your seat. The story that he tells about waiting for this hammer to fall and crush the wall that’s keeping him from walking out of one phase of his life and into another is heart wrenching, despite how beautiful the song is.

Favorite lyric: “There must be something better than reading myself these letters and getting drunk off of cheap wine”

I Miss You- Probably one of my favorite tracks on the album, musically and lyrically just because of how the lyrics are strung together with the piano and guitar. The word choices, although simple, are powerful and pack a mean punch with the message. It’s simple enough to say that he’s singing about someone who he misses, and that no matter how hard he fights or tries he’s still not going to be able to win her back or win the fight because it just wasn’t meant to be. The piano brings a really soothing effect over the whole song with the light notes and slight resonance of the guitar in the background.

Favorite lyric: “And now all of my prayer’s sound like half assed dares to a coward who won’t show up”

Imperfect Man- The title track with a bit of country love for good measure. The twang of the guitar with the piano (see the piano becoming a constant part of the album’s sound?) and the lyrics really bring a solid story to the listener. The soulfulness of the song combined with the heartfelt lyrics really stabilizes the message trying to be conveyed in the song. This song would be perfect to see live just because of the energy it would bring to a live audience with an acoustic and electric guitar to compensate for the piano. The country vibe of the bridge really makes you close your eyes and just feel the music pumping through your veins.

Favorite lyric: “I’ve given up the air I used to breathe, there’s a heart shaped blood stain on my sleeve”

My Prayer- The first of two ballads on the album that really tug at your heartstrings and bring tears to your eyes. This song is all piano, violin and drums, and when I tell you the first time I listened to this song I was in my car and kept wiping my eyes because of how emotional it made me; emotional in a good way. This isn’t the romantic ballad that makes girls go “awe he’s so sweet” but emotional in the sense that he’s calling out to God to watch over him, watch his soul and to find out how close he is to Him. The violins in the bridge are a perfect fit and any other instrument wouldn’t have fit as well as they do.

Favorite lyric: “No my faith’s not gone, it’s just a different kind”

Independence Day- Another song with a country vibe that you’d think is about the fourth of July but it’s really not, it’s about inner independence. The song is strictly acoustic, just Bryan’s voice and the guitar which gives a feeling of inner peace and personal devotion to the song. It really is a peaceful song and if you close your eyes you can feel the emotions wash over you and bring you to your own place of utter happiness (I really don’t mean your ‘happy place’) but it will make you feel joy yet a slight tinge of pain for the emotions in his voice.

Favorite lyric: “Got a recipe for a brand new me but I don’t follow directions well”

Smoke And Rage- By far the most country song on the album, but the most rough around the edges. This is almost like the no hold barred song country song about war, death and a man whose secrets are going to remain his own because he dies in war and doesn’t get to see his new son and takes his secrets to the grave with him. I really can’t pick one set of lyrics from this, because the lyrics in the chorus are incredible, and there’s a line in one of the verses that I love as well, so when you listen to this song, try and pick out the important lyric in the chorus and get back to me.

Favorite lyric: “And he stares at the photo of his newborn son, and a question mark is painted on his gun”

Empty Handed- My second favorite song on the album because it is lyrically genius! In a video I found on youtube, Bryan describes this song as “a song about me being emotionally unavailable in romantic relationships.” As long a description that might be, it’s absolutely the truth about this song, and it’s written between the lines of the lyrics. He’s there, but he’s not really there; where his body is, isn’t necessarily where is mind is. It’s almost like he knows he wants to run but he also has this list of reasons to stay even though he knows that as well as him and this person might fit together he can’t fulfill her dreams and make her happy in the end. Lyrically this song is fabulous and with the piano and the saxophone in the bridge it’s emotionally gut wrenching because you can see how perfect they are yet you know they won’t last; he knows he’s going to give his heart but she’ll be empty in the end because he can’t make her dreams come true.

Favorite lyric: “If we’re supposed to meet again then time will stop and space will bend”

If Only- Bring on the guitar solo! I love a good guitar solo, and what better song to have one in! This song has a jazz vibe to it with the guitar, piano, and saxophone and the extremely audible punchy bass line. It’s almost like this song is the aftermath of ‘Empty Handed’ because of the way the lyrics are structured and his choice of wording. This is another song I’d love to see performed live because there are all the elements of a live band that could make this so exciting and expressive.

Favorite lyric: “And meanwhile, she’ll smile, and wonder just where he is sleeping”

Expected- Another fabulous country song and you can tell by the harmonica in the opening notes. The loving way that the lyrics are sung really express the heartfelt meaning behind the song about this love that wasn’t expected to begin yet the ending was known; knowing that it wouldn’t last. It really has a lot of country to it, more than ‘Smoke And Rage’ which was more of a hardcore country song I guess you could say, where this is more of a cowboy hat, horseback riding country song. It’s more melodic and his voice really lassos the epitome of country in the chorus.

Favorite lyric: “Sharing moon blue light with on a life without a past, on a girl I thought might last”

Kristyn’s Crying- I should have had a box of tissues on hand when I was listening to this song, because it is the ULTIMATE tear jerker on the album! Strictly piano and violin on this song, this is without a doubt the most emotional song on the album solely because of the nature of the story being told. I don’t want to give away too much of this song because of how beautiful it is, but when you have a sensational voice singing about a little girl whose mommy had to leave because she was fighting with her daddy, tears are bound to be the end result. He is almost the fly on the wall in this song, because he wants answers and wants to help her but doesn’t know if he can and doesn’t know how. I cried, and I continue to cry every time it comes on my iTunes because it is another one of my favorites.

Favorite lyric: “Though these words may fail, the saddest fairytale still will come to a close”

Wake Me Before I Die- Another harmonica loving country song that is yet again, one of my favorites. I think this song is the truth about life because it is about anything and everything that has ever crossed my mind at least. It’s honest and heartfelt and basically is the story of life, you search and search and come up empty handed because no matter how hard you search you’re going to have to figure life out as you live it. I love singing along to this song, despite my horrid inability to sing, it’s fun, light hearted and just another well written and lyrically strong song.

Favorite lyric: “So raise up that curtain and I’ll put on one hell of a show”

So ladies and gents, there you have it, my rundown of Bryan Fenkart’s album ‘Imperfect Man’ from start to finish. I hope this encourages you to go out, buy it, or buy it on iTunes because if you don’t buy it you’re missing out on something spectacular. Search him on youtube, check out some of his past live performances and let me know what you think. If you’re in the New York area, make sure you go see Memphis, I can’t stress this enough, you WILL be amazed and you will have gotten your money’s worth! For more on Bryan you can head over to his website www.bryanfenkart.com where you can get info on him as well as get linked to his facebook, myspace, and twitter pages. If you have a twitter, follow him and stay in the loop. It’s been said that he’s recording album number two, which leaves me VERY excited!

Until next time,

Don’t forget to SING!

A Review Of My Chemical Romance's Danger Days: The True Lives Of The Fabulous Killjoys

It's no secret to anyone who knows me that music is a large part of my life. It influences just about everything I do, and no matter what I'm doing I always have my ipod on in the background, which is why when I saw the video for My Chemical Romance's single "Na Na Na (Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na)" on MTV Hits last month I nearly went into cardiac arrest. For the most part, I hadn't heard anything about them since they put their last album "The Black Parade" out back in October 2006 so seeing them on MTV Hits four years after their last release was a bit shocking but a very welcomed change to the drone of rap and pop videos that usually swarm their station. It was nice to see MCR making their much deserved comeback and I couldn't even express in that moment how happy it made me, because MCR has been a staple in my CD collection (yes, I still buy CD's...it's a lost art and I refuse to give it up) and I fully intend on making Danger Days a part of my collection as well. Don't believe me? If you're one of the negative music fans out there who are jumping on the 'My Chemical Romance is selling out...they don't sound the same...or my personal favorite, they're not the same' then listen up and I'll give you 14 good reasons to go out and buy this album! 

Danger Days: The True Lives Of The Fabulous Killjoys brings a new found musicality to My Chemical Romance, yet it embodies all of the same elements that have made them the My Chemical Romance that their fans have come to know and love. The songs that serve as teenage anthems are immensely present in their latest effort, and are perfectly offset by more rowdy songs that will turn the biggest circle pit into a brigade of dancing and singing teens and young adults. This album is completely and fully My Chemical Romance and who they are at this present moment, and I don't think there is one song on this album that doesn't show how much they've grown up in the four years since The Black Parade was released and yet how they've stayed true to themselves and kept their sound a part of this album. With time comes change and I think that My Chemical Romance has fully brought that element to the table with their solos, lyrics, and the overall theme of the album. It is a story from beginning to end and there’s no better place to start then at the beginning.

Here's the breakdown from first to last:

1.      Look Alive, Sunshine- Dr. Death Defying introduces you to Danger Days “this one’s for all you rock and rollers, all you crash queens and motor babies.” Basically this album is for you, so listen up and play it as loud as your stereo will allow. It’s a perfect introduction…a radio station intro if you will, and it tells you exactly what you’re in for.

2.      Na Na Na (Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na)- You’re thrown right into MCR’s smash single and without a second to breath you should find yourself singing along! This song has classic My Chemical Romance written all over it and reminds me of the first MCR song I ever heard; I’m Not Okay (I Promise). The solo and solid rhythm, background vocals and bass line punch through in every lyric sang and really have the hype and drive that spells out My Chemical Romance. Favorite Lyric: “Everybody wants to change the world, but no one, no one wants to try”

3.      Bulletproof Heart- If My Chemical Romance had to pick an anthem this would have to be it. It’s got everything that should be in a song that details a band from the past to the present and is lyrically strong. The solo is nothing but entrancing and can captivate even the most musically dull human being. “I’m who I’ve got to be” just brings a pang of happiness to my heart every time I hear it because it’s those words that reveal that there’s no ulterior motive for making this album…they did it because they wanted to do it. Favorite Lyric:“I’ve got a bulletproof heart, you’ve got a hollow point smile.”

4.      SING- My favorite, and when I say favorite I mean favorite, song on the album. It’s as plain and simple as the lyrics in the song; sing for yourself, for the people you love, for the world. It doesn’t mean you need to sing per say but let’s be serious..do what you love and do it for yourself and for the people who care about you. The chorus in the background adds a finesse and polish to the song that isn’t normally present in a rock song, but then again this song is so polished and perfect it just brings a tear to my eye. Favorite Lyric:  “I am not the singer that you wanted but a dancer”

5.      Planetary (GO!)- My Chemical Romance has a dance anthem? I think so! It’s just so fun and lively and it makes me want to dance! If it doesn’t have this same effect on you then you might want to see a doctor about that because WOW! This is for the concert kids, the club kids, and the kids who just don’t give a damn! Shout it out, do what you do and don’t think twice about it! The guitar and rhythm is so fun and it reminds me of the feeling I got when I first listened to “Hang Em High” because it had that western rhythm to it and didn’t seem to fit the rhythm on the rest of the album but alas it did! This song is different yet it fits so well and I want to blast it until the sun comes up!  Favorite Lyric: “I’m unbelievable, yea, I’m undefeatable, yea, let’s ruin everything; blast it to the back row!”

6.      The Only Hope For Me Is You- The MCR love song; it’s a different kind of soft and sweet from SING and has more of a rock edge to it with the synthesizer and deep bass lines. You can clearly hear the emotion flowing through the veins of these lyrics and hearing them sung out loud brings them to life; you can see this couple going through a journey together and you just want to keep watching to find out what happens. This song is like a movie without any pictures, it draws you in from the beginning to the end credits. Favorite Lyric: “Can I be the only hope for you? Because you’re the only hope for me.”

7.      Jet Star And The Kobra Kid/Traffic Report- Dr. Death Defying returns with the traffic report and some news from the zone…giving you the latest headlines on Jet Star and The Kobra Kid..don’t get ghosted and don’t forget to die with your masks on if you have to tumbleweeds!

8.      Party Poison- A good ole fashioned rock song! Every rock album needs one and well, who can turn down a good solid rock song? Certainly not me! It’s a fast driven party song [different than Planetary (GO!)] and with a completely solid pace to it. There isn’t much happening with the guitar riffs but you can hear the hardness and rough edges of the song soaring through the lyrics and punching through your speakers. Favorite Lyrics: “So hit the lights and I’ll do it again; and keep your cars and your dogs and your famous friends.”

9.      Save Yourself, I’ll Hold Them Back- Another one of my favorites on the album, it just screams rock song. The beginning really makes me think of a HIM song with the way the guitar sounds..something you might have heard on Razorblade Romance or Deep Shadows  And Brilliant Highlights. You can really hear the bass as one of the primary sounds in this song and it gives it an entirely different punch than you would normally get with a guitar driven song. Granted there is a dive bomb solo right in the middle and it breaks up the bass and really helps bring the song home completely! I also really love the “na na na’s” that are in the chorus- they’re fun! Favorite Lyric: “We can leave this world leave it all behind.”

10.  S/C/A/R/E/C/R/O/W- The way the lyrics are sung remind me of Mama from The Black Parade. The rhyme of the lyrics and the way it seems so poetic really brings a softer meaning to a song named after a farm distraction (no disrespect to scarecrows). The bridge of the song and the following solo are just incredible…a soft bridge with a piano and then this completely shredding solo are just fabulous! The way the song is about moving your body and hiding it from the scarecrow is just…hide yourself from things that you know can harm you. Stay away from things you know are bad…anything that can hurt you isn’t worth your time. Favorite Lyric: “Blow a kiss on the methane skies, see the world through your playground eyes.”

11.  Summertime-  The My Chemical Romance summer anthem without a doubt! It’s the kind of song that makes you glad to be where you are with the people you’re there with. It’s a flashback song that makes the most vibrant of times appear right before your eyes. It’s soft and airy like a summer day and the perfect song to lie in the grass and watch the clouds pass to. Favorite Lyric: “If you stay, I would eat away your mind; or until my heart explodes.”

12.  Destroya- A classic My Chemical Romance rough around the edges, screamer song! It reminds me of something that would have been on Life On The Murder Scene…recorded at an AOL live sessions with Gerard holding the mic up to his lips and saying “check..check” until the song kicks in. There isn’t much of a solo but there is a pretty sweet drum session during the bridge that brings the sounds of the song to life above and beyond the lyrics. As punchy as the lyrics are there’s a so much happening musically that you need to listen beyond the flow of the words and hear the sound. Favorite Lyric: “They don’t believe in God, I don’t believe in Love, they don’t believe in us but I believe in the enemy!”

13.  The Kids From Yesterday- This song is going to be my other summer anthem…I mean My Chemical Romance’s other summer anthem. It’s almost part two to Summertime and has that same earthy feel to it where you just want to kick off your shoes and spend the day soaking up the warm sun and all the beautiful things around you. I would definitely take a quiet walk along the shore with this playing on my iPod. It’s calming and just beautiful throughout. Favorite Lyric: “When we were young we used to say that you only hear the music when your heart begins to break; now we are the kids from yesterday.”

14.  Vampire Money- SO MUCH FUN! This song has get up and go written all over it! I can’t say anything else except that the chords are simple, the lyrics are fun and it makes me want to get up and dance! And the solos awesome too! Favorite Lyric: “3…2…1…we came to fuck!” (just because it’s so much fun!)

So, there it is, my review from start to finish of Danger Days: The True Lives Of The Fabulous Killjoys! If you’re not convinced by now to go out and buy it then you need to see a doctor. So, with that said, buy it, listen to it…listen to it again…form your own opinions…but most importantly I hope you enjoy it as much as I do! 

Don’t forget to SING!