“Danger Days: The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys” is next to be discussed. I should start this section by apologizing for breaking the Clarion’s “no more articles about My Chemical Romance” rule. It wasn’t going to survive with me around. I’ve written here before about how my friend Mag really dragged me into the emo scene in 2011.
“Danger Days,” my MCR album of choice, simply must be included in this article. First and foremost, “Danger Days” and the podcast “Welcome To Night Vale” are the two major things that inspired me to be a radio DJ throughout high school. That choice has impacted my life in so many ways that it’s not even funny. The album is amazing; comic books, apocalypse and anti-capitalism fit so well together.
I won’t focus on the comics as they take place 10 years after the album. Dr. Death-Defying’s intro in “Na Na Na” is hands down the best intro to an album ever. It accomplishes more world-building and tone-setting than most full books in just a few sentences.
The song blasts us into the world of the Killjoys (the rebels fighting for freedom in the story, who are personified as the band members) so well. It sets the immediate goal of saving The Girl from the evil Korse who kidnaps her at the end of the song. “Bulletproof Heart” is so romantic and such a powerful song.
“SING” gets a lot of crap for being ‘too poppy’ for “Danger Days” but I disagree. The music video follows the Killjoys breaking into the evil BL/ind organization to save The Girl from Korse. A struggle ensues in which they all die; however, they do succeed in saving her.
The rest of the album takes place before the kidnapping and deaths. “Planetary (GO!)” is a party song with its poetic lyrics about the folly of fame contributing to the song’s dance party concept.
“The Only Hope For Me is You” has an intro that feels like a hazy dream as the synth sweeps up the song. It is a power ballad and highlights the war (the Analog War, according to the comics) that the characters are fighting, with constant mentions of guns and bombs. The song shows that the Killjoys have nothing left but each other.
“Jet-Star and the Kobra Kid / Traffic Report” adds so much to the world. Are they dead? Who knows! Keep listening to find out!
“Party Poison” is such a good rock introduction to the chaotic character of Party Poison. It starts with a clip of the character talking about bombing since, according to him, life’s too short not to fight. There’s a reason that he’s the leader of the rebellion in this war. “Save Yourself (I’ll Hold them Back)” is a good sneak peek at what the Killjoys will become.
“S/C/A/R/E/C/R/O/W” feels like a lullaby to The Girl. I should explain a little more about her character here. The Girl is nameless. When the Killjoys took her in, they didn’t want to give her a name but let her decide for herself. She’s the main protagonist of the comics.
“Summertime” feels like a somber prequel to “Bulletproof Heart,” like love before the war. “Destroya” takes us right back to speed. A duet between Gerard and Frank, the song includes moaning, which makes this the most awkward song to play out loud. However, it adds to the story.
“The Kids From Yesterday” has a music video consisting of footage from MCR’s last tour, but I feel like the song is the Killjoys coming to terms with the fact that they’re gonna die.
“Goodnight, Dr. Death” is the official end of the album, where the titular Doctor is murdered as the national anthem plays. The last song is “Vampire Money,” which was written as a response to people asking Gerard to be in “Twilight.”
LeAnne McPherson
Multimedia Specialist and Reporter