The more bands change, the less they stay the same

Really quick - cuz I'm soon to be off like a prom dress.I am a newly converted Romancer of all things Chemical. I think their latest album is as good as most of the critics' impressions I've read. That's not to say that I base my purchases on their responses to music/movies and the like, it just means I trust Paste / Blender / Rolling Stone to give me what I would normally expect from their reviewers - I know who has tastes similar to mine and read accordingly. After falling for the Black Parade, I went back and got the entire discography and was not disappointed at all.You see, I am one of those people who believe beyond the shadow of doubt - that any band/artist that refuses to change is not worth my time and certainly not my money. Why on earth would I want three different renditions of the same thing ? Just seems crazy to me.So, here and there, (well ... not here actually) I see people who complain that the latest cd from their fave band is such a departure from their sound before and they think that's crap. Hey, if you want to waste your money on the same thing over and over and over and over (you get the point) go right ahead.With Bullets (1st MCR) they truly do have a harder, less controlled sound - but the cd is so feckin solid as a whole - all sorts of changes from one song to the next - what's not to like ... they were finding themselves as a band and rockin it JERSEY style !!!With Three Cheers (2nd MCR) they have tightened their sound - creating more radio-friendly songs - but a total departure from the first - keeping the edge but smoothing some of the rough stuff.Then we come to The Black Parade (4th MCR) {not bringing the live cd/dvd into this - as this post is more about the studio MCR. Holy shit on a shingle. One hell of a concept album ! Brings to mind so many of the greats from the past 4+ decades - Bowie, Floyd, Queen - I could go on, but you get the idea. Again - total departure from the previous two albums - again different songs throughout the cd itself. Even smoother than the 2nd - but again - they still haven't lost their edginess. They still rock it JERSEY style. (Forced a friend to head out into the worst weather we've had here in Philly to see them last month. I can't even begin to express how fantastical the show was. I'll post about that later.)The band's whole purpose for being is all about letting the misfits (ah Misfits) of our society - especially those under the drinking age - know they are not alone - they are not freaks they should love themselves unconditionally - differences and all. It's too bad few other bands promote this kind of love for their fans. Can't tell you how many times I've seen MCR saved my life - and I believe that for many of them - it's so friggin true. They didn't save my life - but they put a fire in my heart that I will carry with me forever - they just keep getting better - they just keep CHANGING - shape-shifting - and for me - that is one of the best signs of an amazing band - one that will get my notice and impress me - even if they aren't my thing.Let me review, no, it take too long, let me sum up - CHANGE IS GOOD & MCR ROCKS IT JERSEY STYLE.Thank you for your support