Critics are an ornery, elitist and cloistered lot, but occasionally even the most obvious schlock will melt their hearts.
How else to explain the positive reception that My Chemical Romance’s latest disc, “The Black Parade,” is enjoying? I’m not one who has embraced it, but a surprising array of respectable bloggers, magazine writers and journalists has climbed aboard the album.
The New Jersey band’s pretentious, bloated pop-punk may not be original, but it is richly rendered and innately melodic – two qualities the more challenging stuff out there could use. The disc is also striking a chord with the public, steadily climbing alternative radio charts and attaining gold sales status.
Tickets for the band’s March 4 show at Magness Arena aren’t on sale until Jan. 6, but fan club members can reserve seats at mcrblackparade.ducatking.com, and a public pre-sale begins on Tuesday. ($26.25, Ticketmaster)
Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard will lead the aptly named “Last of the Breed” tour with fellow country icon Ray Price and Western swing group Asleep at the Wheel, which will play backup. Press materials are assuring fans that they’ll revisit all the hits, so if you missed Nelson his last time through Colorado, now’s your chance. Tickets are on sale now for the March 12-13 shows at the Budweiser Events Center and World Arena in Colorado Springs, respectively. ($35-$55, ComcastTix.com or TicketsWest)
Dr. Octagon is none other than Kool Keith, head MC of the seminal hip-hop group Ultramagnetic MCs. Lately he’s been known for his sporadic output and scattershot, paranoid personality, but the 1997 album “Dr. Octagonecologyst” is an undeniable classic in both hip-hop and turntable circles. Keith may not have Dan the Automator or Qbert in tow when he visits the Boulder Theater on Jan. 31, but hits like “Blue Flowers” are likely to resurface. ($18.50, bouldertheater.com)
Pete Yorn is probably better known than you realize, unless you’re a rabid fan of the former drummer turned singer-songwriter. His vaguely twangy mood-pop has been used in myriad TV shows and films since his 2001 debut. He hits the Ogden Theatre on Feb. 23 to support his latest disc, “Nightcrawler.” ($20, Ticketmaster)
George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic will visit the Ogden Theatre on Feb. 24 for a night of booty-shakin’, psychedlic funk. Even at 65, Clinton is still likely to leave you dizzy for days. Skipped them at the Fillmore in May? Here’s your opportunity. ($25, Ticketmaster)
