Coheed And Cambria

Concept albums are a mixture of elaborate and ambitious, ambiguity. Credentials accredited to bands such as Coheed And Cambria. Year Of The Black Rainbow is the bands fifth album or, chapter if you like in their conceptual saga. Contemporary 'prog rock' bands are free to experiment with not only formations of music but, they can also toy with lyrical, fictional imagery in a sort of musical tapestry that has no constraints therefore, limitless outputs of musical narratives is made possible. A novelty approach though this may be, it does not distract from the substance of the bands music.

Generally, this album is not typical of Coheed And Cambria’s previous work. Sanchez’s distinct and awe inspiring vocals are almost the only form of familiarity. It is this aspect which is in fact Year Of The Black Rainbow’s strongest point. Trademark epic guitar solos with full orchestra back drops and other lavish elements have been phased out indefinitely. The melodies are defiantly there but, the intensity is not making this a rock album in all respect but, not the full force progressive rock experience the band have previously perpetuated. This will take a period of moderate adjustment for long term listeners who have invested in the alternative vibe of Coheed And Cambria’s older material.

The track "Far" is distinctively separate to the bands norm. A down tempo, shimmering song which can be considered to be the ballad on the album. This is a very manipulated song in regards to the technical effects that have been incorporated again, this is not a typical hallmark that Coheed And Cambria have embraced before. Yet, it demonstrates that the band have set a precedent and are more experienced than ever before to take their sound in all kinds of directions including this sense of almost ambience. There are songs that flash back to the bands' more organic sound which does offer a sense of relief. 'The Broken' both lyrically and structurally is one of these tracks making it a pristine example. The same could be said for 'Here We Are Juggernaut' with the exception of yet more studio mastery, the guitar manipulation sequenced into this track fleshes it out to a certain extent though. 'Made Out Of Nothing (All That I Am)' also stands out purely because it has a hint of lyrical nostalgia accustomed to it as it is more reflective of the bands 'Good Apollo, I’m Burning Star IV, Volume Two: No World For Tomorrow' album in terms of style.

Year Of The Black Rainbow’s simplicity is its complexity in a sense. There is a consistency throughout this album and a generous amount of new territory has been tread. Yes, concept albums are a mixture of elaborate and ambitious, ambiguity that Coheed And Cambria quite simply embody.