Album Review: ‘No World’ departs from classic Coheed
Coheed and Cambria tends to bring different and highly conceptual music to listeners, but doesn’t hit past highs in part four of its five-part series, “Good Apollo, I’m Burning Star IV, Vol. 2: No World For Tomorrow.”However, Coheed and Cambria’s sound is still its own. Ripping guitar melodies accompanied by powerful, layered vocals make up the dense musical structure of most tracks. Rising choral lines behind the guitar continue the band’s rock-opera sound.
But the album still seems like it is missing something. It’s less dark, less unique, less classic Coheed and Cambria.
The album starts with a lament, “The Reaping,” which takes advantage of singer Claudio Sanchez’s falsetto. He sings so softly you can hear his labored breathing. The album almost accentuates Sanchez’s unique voice too much here. His shrill, ear-catching singing borders on being annoying.
Still, Sanchez’s voice remains an asset. He distorts lyrics and expresses more tones than in previous releases. His ability to sing clearly, forcibly and softly within the same album creates pleasant variations. Each song features multiple emotions.
Probably the least interesting song on the album is “Feathers.” It’s a step outside of the band’s usual dark folk-rock framework. An attempt at a catchy chorus with some alliteration thrown in sounds like the band was just trying to make another hit song instead of adding to their conceptual repertoire.
Excluding “Feathers,” the rest of the melodies aren’t particularly catchy and aren’t meant to be. The choruses aren’t as defined as in traditional rock songs. The verses consist of vocal dialogue and are the spotlight. Coheed and Cambria is telling a story set to music.
The four albums from Coheed and Cambria follow the Armory Wars science fiction comic book saga written and published by Sanchez. The CDs are the aural companion.
Knowing the storyline adds value to Coheed and Cambria albums, but isn’t necessary to enjoy it.
Coheed and Cambria
‘Vol. 2: No World for Tomorrow’
Release Date: Oct. 23
Genre:
Rock
Grade:
B+
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on Monday, October 29th, 2007 at 11:01 pm and is filed under Album Reviews, Arts & Entertainment.
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