What's the worst thing I could say?
You should (have) be(en) following Edward O's top 100 singles over at his blog, but his blurb for "Helena" (number 23!) is worth reproduction in full:
Where the cognoscenti all think we should be listening to M.I.A., the kids proved that they were right all along by continuing to support hilarious, over-the-top, buffed-to-perfection moshercore classics with amazing hooks, bold theatrics and giddy self-deprecation that you can relate and wave your hair around to rather than the buzzing, distracting nags of the so-called “good” pop. In the face of a chorus so large it basically needs twice its running length just to contain its anthemic, self-hating, awe-inspiring power, not recognising a different kind of genius is just churlish. Helena has possibly the biggest chorus of the decade and, with its combination of decidedly unsubtle power-pop riffs, vaguely goth-cum-punk dress-up, pained seriousness in the studio and whimsy on the video, shows that My Chemical Romance understand that while your pain is serious and real, sometimes it’s kind of hilarious as well, and best conveyed with make-up, exaggerated facial expressions and exquisitely overdone histrionics. It must be an amazing time to be fifteen years old. Much, much better than cutting yourself.
Rarely are we blessed with a writer who sums up the appeal of a good band so succinctly.
Where the cognoscenti all think we should be listening to M.I.A., the kids proved that they were right all along by continuing to support hilarious, over-the-top, buffed-to-perfection moshercore classics with amazing hooks, bold theatrics and giddy self-deprecation that you can relate and wave your hair around to rather than the buzzing, distracting nags of the so-called “good” pop. In the face of a chorus so large it basically needs twice its running length just to contain its anthemic, self-hating, awe-inspiring power, not recognising a different kind of genius is just churlish. Helena has possibly the biggest chorus of the decade and, with its combination of decidedly unsubtle power-pop riffs, vaguely goth-cum-punk dress-up, pained seriousness in the studio and whimsy on the video, shows that My Chemical Romance understand that while your pain is serious and real, sometimes it’s kind of hilarious as well, and best conveyed with make-up, exaggerated facial expressions and exquisitely overdone histrionics. It must be an amazing time to be fifteen years old. Much, much better than cutting yourself.
Rarely are we blessed with a writer who sums up the appeal of a good band so succinctly.
