Much like the apparatus that gives the album its title,
Parachutes is a collection of lifesavers for
Frank Iero. Along with his band,
the Patience (Alex Grippo, Evan Nestor, and Matt Olsson),
Iero powers through his own sonic therapy sessions with searing punk blasts and seething urgency. Hardcore inspirations
Black Flag and
Minor Threat tear their way through rollicking tracks like "Veins! Veins!! Veins!!!" and "I'm a Mess," which sound like wistful memories from a sweaty suburban basement show. As cathartic release, these frantic tracks provide the best outlet.
Iero's time as guitarist in
My Chemical Romance and his own projects (
Death Spells,
Leathermouth, and
Frnkiero and the Cellabration) create an energetic combination of experiences, corralling emo drama ("Miss Me" and "The Resurrectionist"), hardcore fury (the aforementioned "Veins!" and "World Destroyer"), and
Nirvana-lite grunge ("They Wanted Darkness" and "Viva Indifference").
MCR fans and emo-leaning nostalgists may appreciate the rawness of
Iero's expression -- like when he employs his bloody
Kurt Cobain howl -- but there's more muscle and power on
Parachutes than anything in his former band's catalog. The absolutely ripping "World Destroyer" is a fine example: a crazed and dramatic bruiser, it centers around
Iero's frenzied yelps, which recall
At the Drive-In by way of
Iggy Pop. Upon closer inspection, a lot of it is a downer -- especially the wounded and sometimes desperate lyrics -- but a cautious optimism keeps
Parachutes afloat, especially on the
Weezer-esque "Remedy," the
Hives-on-speed "Dear Percocet, I Don't Think We Should See Each Other Anymore," and the touching ode to his late grandfather "9-6-15." Leaps beyond predecessor Stomachaches,
Parachutes benefits from its creator's inner turmoil, providing as much emotional support to
Iero as it does to listeners with similar struggles. ~ Neil Z. Yeung