They do not deserve to be lumped into the "emo" category along with far less talented bands like Fall out Boy or Hawthorne Heights. None of those bands come close to being original. Yea, MCR may go over the top sometimes, but at least they're trying to separate themselves from the pack. Take their new album, The Black Parade. The idea of using a hospital room as a kind of deathbed theater is a good concept. And the album pays tribute to Pink Floyd, Meat Loaf, and Queen without being a blatant rip off. Plus, the classic guitar licks are really good.
I highly recommend this album. I pride myself on being a nonconformist, and that includes breaking with all the "tr00 metalheads" and enjoying a band most of them are too close minded to enjoy