15 Greatest Emo Albums Of All Time

Or: emo goes Hollywood. On the one hand, it’s remarkable that My Chemical Romance made it so huge. They demand a level of commitment from their fans. MCR enthusiasts don’t tend to be casual: you’re all in, from the demeanor to the dress code. It’s a way of life.

On the other hand, of course they made it to the top. Lead single “I’m Not OK (I Promise)” is a wry encapsulation of the entire genre in five words, and is built to be screamed along to like few songs this side of “Livin’ On A Prayer”.

Better still is opener “Helena”, a perfectly structured rollercoaster of a song with an anthemic, half speed chorus. In their appearance and their music, MCR were never afraid to embrace the theatrical, and they inject every song with life and energy - they believe in it, and they’ll make you believe too.

They would go bolder still with their follow up, 2006’s The Black Parade (a rock opera, as was the style at the time), but it can’t match the hook laden joy of Three Cheers. It hits the sweetest of spots for the disillusioned teen, while being completely knowing and in on the gag at the same time - a deft balancing act indeed.