♫ My Chemical Romance | B+

Danger Days: The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys is undoubtedly MCR's most ambitious effort to date. Set in 2019, the band members take on new personas for the concept album. The sound is refreshing, yet familiar. Classic MCR alternative rock is infused with an array of electric synth to create an album that should have more than just the usual MCR fans excited.

The album begins with an announcer over a rising guitar riff that brings the album from zero to 60 at an adrenaline pumping speed. "This one's for all of you rock'n'rollers/All you crash queens and motor babies/Listen up!/The future is bulletproof!/The aftermath is secondary!/It's time to do it now and do it loud!/Killjoys, make some noise!" The 30-second intro blends right into the first single "Na Na Na (Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na)." The title provides a not so subtle clue about the repetitive nature of the song. However, if you can put up with the countless "Na's," the remainder of the song is fast paced, energetic and infectious.

The first song hints at changes in MCR's sound, but the next string of songs shows them experimenting with synthesized beats and sounds on tracks that still seem natural to the band. "Bulletproof Heart" is a slower ballad that provides a nice contrast to the rest of the album. On "Planetary (GO!)," MCR almost completely ditches their traditional electric guitars and use synth sounds to propel the song. "Party Poison" is a catchy fast-paced ride that is bound to be a hit live.

Danger Days is MCR simply having fun exploring new areas musically and thematically. It may not be groundbreaking, but it is definitely worth a listen for more than those that are just hardcore MCR fans.